Apr 6, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Rain prior to races had stopped, but track “sloppy +1” in 41 degree temperatures … DOUBLEORNOTHING N persisted to the lead 3/16, rated the half, then could not be caught. NORTHERN CREEK A took full advantage of track geometry to push the winner then yield for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, did well but second-best. EHRMANTRAUT tucked third, moved uncovered 5/8, didn’t really threaten but held his ground well late. BRAVO TEX N was urged going to the start, tucked fourth, moved out late backstretch but gapped cover and went back inside, fair inside late. KEYSTONE STEAM never got close. SOUTHWIND DREDGE was gapping not much past the 3/8. BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide far turn but didn’t gain.
SECOND RACE – APRIL AVA forced a lineup, then came home in 56.1 – 27.3 in off going to show her superiority. ANOTHER BEACH DAY vacated third before the 11/16 and did well very well in the last quarter. JUXTA COWGIRL was forced to back off and take the pocket, couldn’t keep up at crunch time and just did hold third over DEL DIGGITY. The latter went evenly after an inside trip. CHIPPER DAISY went three-wide headstretch and had some pace finishing. GREENHILL HANOVER raced inside, not much. BRING ME DIAMONDS was three-wide past the 1/8 then, seeing she was in no-mares-land, backed up all the way to last, not prominent again. DELILAH DE VIE came out into turn two, advanced until getting cover later in the backstretch but soon starting gapping it.
THIRD RACE – Some stretch tailwind, intermittent; here for one … BORN A REBEL headed down the road and was on an open lead throughout, far superior here with a 28.1 last quarter. PARTY CENTRAL went up early and went into the pocket 3/16, loose of the winner throughout, did fight some late to hold second over CRACK A SMILE. The latter got a forward spot, outside headstretch, couldn’t get the place. DARIO HANOVER sat in, gapped in a couple of spots. TUF COOPER didn’t have great cover, did get the last payday. ROAD MAN never factored. HUNTING ANGELS moved uncovered off turn two but made very little of a dent. BACK IN MY DAY lost gait soon after the start.
FOURTH RACE – STATEMENT MADE A settled fourth to the 3/16, then was first-over on turn two, grinded away at the leader, made the lead early stretch and was a very good winner. UNCLE JORD A was third-over in a lively flow, widest stretch and outkicked RIFLEMAN for second. The latter got a fine trip behind the winner, three-wide late turn, just edged for second late. SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A paced to command into turn one, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, had immediate access to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have a sharp response. JAHAN HANOVER got an early spot, stayed in, moved outside in the stretch but didn’t show much. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was three-wide to the first turn then on two-wide to the lead 3/16, set the pace, no response the last 3/16. THE OTHER PAIR had no say in this.
FIFTH RACE – SWEET HEART AS moved uncovered just past the half, briefly had cover to the ¾ as the pocketsitter swept by the leader, then back to uncovered, gradually wore down DARTY after a long duel. The latter was away well to defend the pocket, came out 11/16 and stepped around the tiring leader right away, held gamely, finishing well ahead of the others. ALL RISE came out on the far turn and was the distant third. KEYSTONE THUNDER moved outside but gapped. CHOCO CHARLIE couldn’t close enough from as far back as he was. FRAC could offer little. ANDOVERS TOUCH was three-wide early, went in third 3/16, started gapping 5/8. CHUCKY DE VIE left and set the pace at a good clip, no resilience when challenged to the ¾.
SIXTH RACE – INDIGO ART was first to show in front but took the pocket, outside to headstretch and gradually wore down TULHURSTSANTANNA A. The latter used the rail to get the lead, had no pressure, gave way grudgingly. ROCK KING DEO sat in, to the Pocono Pike, did OK+. CAVIART VAL was behind cover early, took fourth past the 1/8, was uncovered off the second turn, didn’t gain much but wasn’t bad. ROCK THREE TIMES took the inside route to the last check. BILBO HANOVER had dull cover, not too much. GOLDEN GESTURE had little to offer in the last ¼. BLACKLIGHT moved second-over but gapped out.
SEVENTH RACE – KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT left, yielded past the ¼ and sat an excellent trip in the two-hole, seemed all-out to win after the good trip. GIBOR was outside towards turn two, three-wide before the 5/8 to go up to first-over, kept on coming in an impressive showing. ONE OF THE GUYS got a forward spot, third-in, deep Pocono Pike, came close to taking it all. HUNTSVILLE PLACE stayed in, then angled wide headstretch and had good pace on the end. PLAY THE ACE gapped on the far turn, gained a bit late. JO PA’S TURN went up to the lead off the first curve, set a controlled pace, still had little in the lane. HUNTING FOR MILES followed the place horse but couldn’t stay with him. ALL BETS DOWN was very wide early, took back but saw no hole, had cover to the ¼ then went up to press the leader, fading from just before the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – LEVITATION was well-driven: he parked an outer foe long enough to discourage an early mover from pressing on, let the outside challenger go but then moved to get the lead at the ½, then showed courage to hang on as a group was coming after him. BLENHEIM was between horses and tucked third just past the 1/8, came out at the quarter but retreated past the 5/16 as the outside foe took longer to clear than expected, followed the winner out and soon was in the pocket, tried that one up the inside but couldn’t go past. ALTUS HANOVER joined the cover flow on the second turn, was left raw early in the backstretch, kept going steadily (the last quarter was 30.2). SORTIE was second-over, narrowed in nicely but a bit too late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was also in the two-wide flow but couldn’t stay with it. WINGS UP was three-wide to the 1/8, pushed well past the ¼ to get to the top, yielded at the half, faded the last 3/8. THE OTHER PAIR never achieved prominence.
NINTH RACE – MARVELOUS KISS was four-wide early, three-wide 3/16, and finally up to the lead 5/16, let a foe go but was quick on the retake, showed courage to keep her advantage to the line. ELLEOFADELI backed out to second-over behind advancing cover, ducked inside ¾ when the cover faltered, came up the Pocono Pike and raced well. SWEET SALLY SUE had cover past the 5/16 then pressed on for the top, yielded before the half, vacated the two-hole headstretch, bore out, didn’t gain, then broke nearing the wire; an inquiry showed no reason for a placing. LOVIN MISS DAISY was three-wide early, made the lead 3/16 and yielded to the winner an 1/8 later, stayed in, gapped down the backstretch. MORROCKIN K went uncovered from last 3/8 and got as close as a half-length just past the 5/8, but there her bid stalled. TRAFFIC JAM backed out to follow cover but didn’t do much. THE LAST TWO did not make their presence felt.
TENTH RACE – BUZZ was three-high to turn one then onward to the lead 3/16, set a fast pace, dug in gamely late. LADY’S IMAGE was in front going to turn one then let the winner go and stayed right up tight, Pocono Pike, again very game but again second. MOSCONI HANOVER left for early position, unplugged from the top two 5/8 but still beat everybody else. BANZAI AS was out behind poor cover, three-wide before the ¾ but could not make up ground. WILLIE B WORTHY came up the inside later in the backstretch, not too much. SUNDANCEDIAMOND gapped the top three on the first turn, moved uncovered into turn two but never generated any forward pep. B YOYO was always far back. VOSS VOLO miscued just past the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – BRANDON HANOVER got around the tiring pacesetter and retucked ¾, advanced up to the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and earned the decision. CINNABAR DRAGON was uncovered going to the half and quickly got by an unresponsive leader, was pressured, tried hard but bore out and had to settle for the deuce. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK yielded for the pocket, was shuffled way back when trapped behind a fading leader, went outside, wide in the stretch, closed well, may have been in close quarters with the place horse late, hard-luck mile. TREASURE MACH was away slowly, stayed in, had some pace between horses late. LORD OF MISRULE followed cover, three-wide into the stretch, outpaced. TULLOW N was second-over but soon lost cover, continued two-wide raw, tired. CURIOUS CORTEZ made the lead 3/16, was gotten after 5/16 to keep rolling, had a challenger into the backstretch but was empty.
TWELFTH RACE – BRILLIANT BEAUTY went on between horses to the lead before the ¼, yielded but immediately retook, then threw a pair of 28.2 quarters to see her go clear in the last ¼. CAVIART CHERIE was three-wide past the 1/8, had cover for a bit then went up to grab the racetrack 5/16, yielded to the winner, tired the last 3/16 and just did hold off the rest for the place. FILLY SPEAKS sat in, got clear along the inside early stretch and narrowed in on the second horse. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER pushed the early action, yielded, fell back in the last quarter. GEORGIE MARTIN N had nonflowing cover, back inside late turn, blocked upper stretch, then had pace in tight quarters between horses. DELISHKA N tucked fifth 3/16, moved outside into the backstretch but never got close; NO WHERE TO HIDE followed her cover, three-wide far turn but also had no gain.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TEMPURA HANOVER left, had the pocket, vacated same past the ¼ before the parked horse came up, extended to grab the top into turn two, kept on rolling and withstood a late surge from ALTA MADEIRA N. The latter left very well for the front, pushed the winner then settled for the pocket, moved out headstretch and gave some ground to the winner, then regathered and was narrowing back in late. MOSSDALE LOTTEE N found no holes on turn one, hustled up to grab the 3-spot when the winner moved in front of the stands, couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. MILLENIUMS GIRL stayed in, evenly. DRESDEN found a spot fifth past the 1/8, launched an uncovered bid early backstretch and gained steadily until the ¾, then started to back up. OFF THE PRESS was second-over, three-wide when her cover tired but couldn’t gain contention. THE OTHER TWO were far back most of the way.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN let early traffic clear then went up to get the lead at the ¼, rated the half, didn’t have a challenge until the stretch, looked to be working to defeat BETTORS AUTHORITY. The latter pulled raw from midpack 5/8, went three-wide past midturn as the pocketsitter vacated, finished steadily to be in the photo. SCOTT ONTHE ROCKS got good position early, inside, to the pocket late turn then to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. SEAL O’NEILL went in front at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, moved outside nearing headstretch but couldn’t gain. MOVE THE LINE took back early, stayed in, some pace deep in the Pike. CAPTAIN KEEN was behind the place horse, couldn’t stay with him the stretch. THE OTHER TWO were the last two all the way.
FIFTEENTH RACE – WHO’S SMOKIN N had the early pocket, stayed in third, got right to the deep Pocono Pike and could outfinish TSM PRINCESS TEDDI to her immediate right. The latter was in front at the 1/8, yielded to the brusher to sit the two-hole, Pocono Pike, got the lead just past midstretch, paced on gamely. BROOKDALE JESSIE quarter-moved and set the pace, came up shy in the last 1/16. SHADOW ONE improved position early, then moved 3/8 and went up first-over, got to within a length on her challenge, held her ground well. BYGONE HANOVER swung widest after a cover trip and gained. CATIE FAYE HANOVER gapped cover on the far turn, a bit late between horses. LOVELY LADY MAY got in fourth 3/16, stayed in, gapped ¾. BYTHEWAY HANOVER moved up second-over, three-wide headstretch, came up empty.
Apr 5, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Start of the second quarter of the year … and “second quarter” is also relevant in that there was an atypical Pocono stretch tailwind much of the card, helping horses in the even-numbered quarters … Temperatures in the lower 40s … CAPTAIN ROMANCE went to the lead quickly and just kept pouring on the heat, in hand at the end of a 1:50.1 mile, fastest of the year at Pocono. COALITION HANOVER left and grabbed the pocket, stayed close the rest of the way although not appearing threatening late. EXPLOIT tagged along third, to the Pocono Pike, did OK. JACKIE MOON tucked fourth, kept to the inner path and was next. ROGERS IMAGE gapped midrace, stayed in and got the last check. PRETTY RICKI was uncovered before the half, went 27.1 against the wind in Q3 but only got to the pocket horse’s hindquarters, faded. FULL MOON BEACH had little off cover. MUDVILLE was never prominent.
SECOND RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICA IT got forward position, moved uncovered 11/16 and grinded up, took over before midstretch and held off CUPID HANOVER. The latter got the early lead then yielded to the chalk for the pocket, loose some midrace then tighter, angled out behind the winner early stretch and finished well. DELTASUN A was three-wide early then two-wide to get the top 3/16, rolled on, met with pressure on the turn, not enough. MUSHANA was far back, widest in the stretch and finished well. WARRIOR WAY, wide early, tucked, moved out 5/8, got cover 11/16 but couldn’t go with it. TAG UP AND GO gapped inside. CAMPBELLINI was never a presence. MASSIVE OPULENCE broke soon after the start.
THIRD RACE – BASS PLAYER was first on top, yielded to the early mover and sat the pocket in a bunched-up field, to the Pocono Pike and just proved most photogenic. AMERICA’S GUEST, slightly off the gate, was third-over, three-wide at the 5/8 and circled horses to get to two-wide past midturn, held with great gameness. JUST A WRANGLER was shuffled to last in the early movement then followed the place horse, didn’t miss taking the whole thing by much. HOPETOBEFIRST sat third, stayed in and was shuffled far back, finally found a clear path midstretch and gained while in tight quarters. MY FRISKIE BOY moved from second early in front of parked opposition, set the pace, couldn’t hold on. BEACH FIRE K was second-over, blindswitched 5/8 and through the far turn, not all that much. BAMSKI backed off to tuck fourth 3/16, shuffled to last, in the three-wide lane on the turn but not enough. BLOW A CLOUD N was wide leaving, found no hole so gradually pressed forward in a soft middle half, tired after the hard trip.
FOURTH RACE – EL TORO LOCO was on the lead going to the first turn, yielded 3/8, moved again 5/8 and went right on by, opened a commanding lead, perhaps a bit tired late but still safe. PINEWOOD HANOVER followed the winner the entire way, steadily late. BIG BEN HANOVER was left raw as the top two got into the 1-2 spots late backstretch, OK for third. DONATELLO HANOVER got out of a shuffle and retucked, not all that much. MOJAVE HANOVER sat third, moved and retucked late backstretch, empty in the last ¼. DIABOLI HANOVER never surfaced. BRIGHT SIDE UP was looped and wide to the 1/8, pressed on to get the lead 3/8, was challenged past the 5/8 and surrendered. UNLEASH THE TITAN was right up on the gate but broke as soon as it sprang.
FIFTH RACE – DERECHO tucked fourth early, moved second-over, gapped a bit much of the backstretch but better on the turn, three-wide past midturn, went to the lead midstretch. CLASSIC PRO had cover to the 1/8 then went up and took command past the ¼, set a quick pace with second-half pressure, held second. HASH-TAG SWAG left well, then was the first-over at the half, challenged hard, held well. LITTLEBITASWAGGER was in front past the 1/8, yielded past the ¼ to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, came up shy. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS was behind a wall of horses headstretch, went deep in the Pocono Pike and made up some ground. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO stayed in when the three in front of him pulled on the second turn, couldn’t find stretch clearance. THE BUS A, off the gate, rallied wide from last. NIHILATED TRUTH was third-over, blindswitched two- and three-wide, not that far off the winner.
SIXTH RACE – MALONE headed down the road, looked in control but then broke just before the wire; an inquiry revealed no reason for a placing. PAYMAQ started uncovered before the half, challenged, moved inside headstretch, finished steadily. JOYGO was three-wide going to the first turn and soon afterwards was in the pocket, a bit loose in the last half. DANDY was off the gate and gapping down the backstretch, finished very well. STRICT made a brief early break but caught quickly, OK at the wire. SOUTHWIND CAINE backed outside to second-over down the backstretch but gapped out by the ¾.
SEVENTH RACE – FOCUS POCUS was three-wide early and looped, went on to get the lead past the ¼, relinquished to sit the pocket, came up the Pocono Pike and won handily. CHAPOLIER left and pushed, yielded, quarter-moved, put up a quick half, couldn’t stall the pocket rocket. MISTER BOINGA left but took a hole, uncovered 5/8, faded a bit in the last 1/8. I HAVE A DREAM went outside 11/16 but gapped the top three. WORTHY OF HONOR was four-wide to the first bend and three-wide past the 1/8 to the top 3/16, saw two go by, inside, couldn’t keep up on the far turn. TRICKY DICK never got close. REAL MCCOY was no factor. BOASTER COASTER was outside when making a break before the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – WESLYNN CROWN left and pushed the ¼, yielded, came out 3/8 to take the lead with a few taps near the fast half, remained in control. BEER CHEESE was third-over, three-wide ¾ and four-wide midturn, finished nicely (although into a slowing pace). TNT BLUE CHIP came second-over 5/8, three-wide midturn, best of the others. HIGHGATE took back early, passed a couple of tired ones late. BAR COINS was between horses then looped late on turn one, left raw before the 5/16 to the lead 3/8, yielded at the ½, started to unplug ¾. BJORNSSON was three-wide 3/16 to the lead at the fast quarter, saw two go by in quarter two, moved raw 5/8 but couldn’t sustain his challenge.
NINTH RACE – Wind diminished … WESTERN TYRANT let and tucked fourth by the 1/8, underway uncovered at the half and went up in 27.3 to put the heat on, stayed very game through the lane for a well-deserved victory. CAL used inside positioning to work out a pocket trip, to the Pocono Pike, not as much as the winner but beat the others. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was three-wide leaving then on to 3/16 command, set a fast pace with second-half pressure, gave way. MAJOR DESIRE was between horses early and took a tuck, inside, looking for a clear path but found none, then ran right up on CLASSIFIED MATERIAL and had to steady deep stretch. FRONTIER ROLLO rode the mile outside, wound up second-over, blindswitched briefly far turn while gapping, one-geared. WON LAST FEELING moved outside third-over, blindswitched, didn’t clear until midstretch then went wide and had some late pace. OWEN sat in, backed out and went three-wide 5/8 but had flattened by midturn. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A was gapping in front of the stands the first time, no factor.
TENTH RACE – EUROBOND tucked third and two battled early, then came out 5/16 and had made the top before the second turn, rolled home in 56.2 – 28 and won more easily than the margin may suggest in 1:52.3, fastest trot of the year at PcD. BIG OIL worked to the lead 3/16 in a fast ¼, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, tried hard but couldn’t go by. HAVEK pushed the fast ¼ and yielded, came outside ¾, held his ground well. MISS MCKEE left a gap throughout. RICH AND MISERABLE stayed flat for the last check. MAJESTIC MARVEL was outside when breaking 5/8; P L NOTSONICE moved out at about that point, then lost gait 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – PRINCE OF TIDES was four-wide leaving and took back to tuck, then quarter-moved, made the lead near the 3/8 and kept rolling at a fast clip, not catchable. TITO ROCKS got a forward position, behind a gapper on the turn, to the inside in the stretch and along for a clear second. MYKINDACHIP was out 3/16 in the very fast ¼, yielded to the winner, wasn’t staying tight in the last ¼. GRAY DRAGON was second-over, three-wide before the ¾ to two-wide midturn, not too bad. TELL THEM LOU swung widest and had some late pace. FRISKIE ALL NITE followed cover two- and three-wide, left three-wide raw midturn, flattened. BENSON BOYS N never entered the picture. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO started uncovered into turn two, got to within a half-length early on the backstretch, gradually gave ground from soon afterwards.
TWELFTH RACE – MOVEOUTOFMYWAY N unleashed a big third quarter move to get close, held his ground on the turn, then found more towards midstretch and won nicely. STONEBRIDGE ARMOUR was quickly away, made an early mover take the pocket, continued on quickly, held nicely. ONE AFTER NINE came from third on a quarter-move but was given the cold shoulder, tucked in the pocket 3/8, gapped some on the turn, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. DAGON HANOVER raced into the pocket past the 1/8, couldn’t keep the hole closed 3/8 and let a foe into the two-hole, struggled some down the back, went on OK late. ROBBIE PEV had too far to come, finished with trot. HIP HOP GRACIE went evenly. MOON BRIDGE gapped second-over. DIVINE SPIRIT got a slow start then broke 3/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAVIART MAX showed speed and yielded, buzzed out of third at the half and went his third split in 26.1 to open up a huge lead, tiring late but too far ahead to be caught. Giving it a good try, though, was CAPTAIN MULZAC, who was three-wide early, then backed off to tuck fourth, briefly had the cover of the winner then had to go on raw, never gave up trying to catch the winner in a superior showing. CHICKEN NUGGET was in the outside flow off the winner, a clear third. LINCOLNJAMES was determined to make the lead and got there 5/16, couldn’t stall the winner’s move and gapped in the pocket, did not regain ground. BOBBY K HILL left to the front early, yielded, faded down the back. THE OTHER THREE were far out of it.
FOURTEENTH RACE – KINDA LUCKY LINDY let others make the top then kept on going to take control nearing turn two, drew briefly clear early stretch, had enough to hold off a bunch of horses. BROADWAY ATHENA was carried up well second-over, three-wide late turn and just second over MARION GONDOLIER. The latter started raw into turn two, kept digging to the wire. BELIEVER made the lead 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, stuck inside, in tight quarters, gained a bit then shut off late. MYSTICAL WYNN left, yielded, moved in front of the winner to get the lead then yielded for the pocket, didn’t stay tight the last ¼. PAPI HANOVER was third-over, not enough late kick. IZOH gapped late on the backstretch. DISCUS HANOVER made a break off the second bend.
FIFTEENTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT was on the go 3/16 to get the lead and just kept pouring on the speed, urged to hold safe WAR-N-MUNN. The latter was uncovered from not long into the backstretch, just kept coming and coming in a very fine mile. HOT DEUCE made the front before the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, went a bit loose ¾ and couldn’t gain. CAVIART ROCKLAND left, yielded, stayed connected to the stretch then backed off. STARVIN MARVIN wasn’t keeping up in the third ¼. BAY MEADOWS was outside but never got close. MONTANA CHIEF A never featured.
Mar 31, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 23 degrees all day … A swirling wind that generally played as a Pocono-atypical stretch tailwind … Midcard, um, interesting weather, as you’ll see … SPORTSMANSHIP moved second-over, left uncovered ¾, wore down a tiring MILITARY MASTER A late. The latter went up a bit belatedly and tucked fourth, moved uncovered into turn two, went 28 against the wind to clear 11/16, visibly weakened midstretch and couldn’t quite last to the line. DARK HORSE was three-wide to get around lagging horses, gained two-wide on the turn, did well to be third. ARTACHE HANOVER was caught inside and badly shuffled, got free midturn, not all that much once clear. BEST SHOT N was out past the 3/16 for the lead, set the pace, couldn’t resist the winner late backstretch and backed up. POINTSMAN couldn’t go with cover. SPIDER MAN HANOVER left for the two-hole, gave ground most of the last half. CAVIART SAGE was always far back.
SECOND RACE – LIMA SPARTAN went to the lead, yielded past the 1/8 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and proved much the best. BADIX HANOVER was on top past the 1/8, set the pace, no match for the winner but held off the rest. HAYMITCH started a long uncovered move off turn two and challenged the leader, couldn’t sustain late. BJ’S GUY was wide early, tucked fourth 3/16, then second-over, three-wide headstretch, couldn’t gain. BEACHMASTER TWO circled a pair of slower horses but couldn’t pass the others. THUNDER SOME WHERE and MISTER TRUTH both lost contact in the second half.
THIRD RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH got a forward spot, came uncovered towards the 11/16, trotted steadily and proved the best. ARGENTO was outside late backstretch but then ducked back in, angled wide headstretch and did well for second. BAR COINS moved behind the cover of the winner on the far turn, evenly. SKRILL retucked around a gapper on the backstretch but still far behind, closed with good trot but made a break just before the wire, placed. CREATE set the pace with two moves and had things his own way, but couldn’t maintain the lead. TNT BLUE CHIP went on to get the front off the first turn, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not much. THE OTHER TWO were never close then fell even further behind.
FOURTH RACE – JK MIKI MANTLE, the son of two Horses of the Year (Always B Miki – JK She’salady), moved with cover before the half, left uncovered before the 5/8, ducked in briefly on the turn then moved out, powered away in a most impressive debut. MELANIE’S NICK was uncovered going to turn two, went in 27.2 the third split to zoom right on by the leader, couldn’t handle the winner but clear for second in a good race. BEST BETTOR left three-wide, made the lead to the 3/16, didn’t have the sprint to deal with the top two but went along steadily for third. BUCHANNON HANOVER was the innermost of the speed, yielded, fair in the very quick last half. HUNT FOR CASH raced into the pocket past the 1/8, backed out at the 5/8 but couldn’t keep up. THE OTHER PAIR were in the last two places throughout.
FIFTH RACE – ALL RISE put a foe in behind early and set the pace, drew clear even though the pace was slowing. NIGHT FLYER K left but soon was taking back, then followed the parked horse, left uncovered before the 11/16, went on very steadily to be a good second. CHECKMATE HILL pulled before the ¼ and grinded up raw, got to the two-hole past the 5/8, won a three-way photo for third after expending a good bit of energy. O JONNIE was outside, gapped, came on a little nearing the wire. CRITICAL MASS was shuffled when the pocketsitter tired 5/8, got out ¾, went back inside for the stretch, so-so. CARAMEL MACCHIATO was shuffled to last, three-wide on the far turn, appeared to jump some debris in his path headstretch and broke. ARCH CREDIT actually showed first off the gate but took the pocket, had little from soon past the half.
SIXTH RACE – Sun … FOX VALLEY CACHET moved uncovered 5/8, got cover ¾, went after the new leader in the stretch and drew off handily. HOFFMAN HANOVER was double-looped and wide to the first turn, pressed on to take the top 5/16, yielded for the pocket, vacated that spot ¾ and went past the leader, second-best. JAGGED LITTLE PILL had the early pocket, caught in and gained some, came between horses and just got the distant third. IDEAL DESTINY didn’t take too long to get the top, saw two go by in quarter two, backed out to avoid a shuffle, evenly. SWEET OMEN briefly had cover off the first turn then went on to get command past the 3/8, tired in the last quarter. SHE LOVES THE HUNT was never close. GOTTALUVIT HANOVER made up ground on the far turn and tipped wide but then went offstride. SWEET HELLO had little to offer.
SEVENTH RACE – A snow squall … PHANNY’S MATTER moved towards the half, had cover then lost it 11/16, advanced, drew off in the stretch. MYREANNA was erratic – had the early pocket, gapped, tightened in, gapped badly into the backstretch, tighter 11/16, gapped on the far turn, then came up the Pocono Pike and was second. HOT CHOCO LATTE was uncovered early on turn two, challenged, got into the pocket 11/16, backed out behind the winner headstretch, OK. BUCKET HEAD went down the road, tired. SUNSEEKER HANOVER got the last check. BOURBON CHESTNUT had some pace in the stretch but far too belatedly. BARSTOOL BELLA tucked, then was outside but couldn’t go enough. BLUE TESLA was off the gate, then broke towards the first turn.
EIGHTH RACE – Sun … BYGONE HANOVER left some, came out of the three-hole 5/8 and grinded, showed the most late. LADY ELECTRA was out between horses for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, close but not enough. BETTOR STRAIT N UP was three-wide to the first turn and on top soon thereafter, set her own pace, couldn’t keep the lead to the wire. HELLRUNNER HANOVER gapped the middle half, outside on the far turn but couldn’t gain. SOUTHWIND MOLLY didn’t make her presence felt. TRULY made a break late on turn one.
NINTH RACE – A snow squall so intense it created near whiteout conditions … JOE JOE JOE sat in the two-hole until headstretch, then caught DARTY on the money. The latter raced the pace without pressure, held gamely, just nipped. LAZER JET sat midpack, outside at a distance midturn, far-back third. CHOCOLATE MATTERS got a slow start and gapped at a couple points, evenly. PHANTOM RUSTY was never prominent. ALLOUTOFLIGHT also gapped at points early, gapped out for good 5/8.
TENTH RACE – Sun … WHATA TREASURE moved at the 3/8 and got to be second-over at the half, three-wide midturn, steadily to outpace two rivals to his inside. P L LEEROY moved before the 3/16 to get control of the throttle off the first turn, held gamely. ROGUE CHEDDAR was used to clear just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose down the backstretch, outside headstretch, had his chance but didn’t quite have enough. PIRATES ALLEY left well and yielded, sat in, to the Pocono Pike, fair. SKYWAY FIREBALL came uncovered at the half, advanced some then backed off in the last 3/16. THE OTHER DUO did not reach contention.
ELEVENTH RACE – P L OLIVIA went straight to the front and could not be caught. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR grabbed the pocket at the 1/8 and followed the winner, couldn’t keep up in the last ¼ but still was second. FINAL CLASS sat in, to the Pocono Pike and fair. NEWSBOY stayed in, to the deep Pike and gained some. BLING IM A WINNER got away well, uncovered off the second turn, never got close to the winner before fading. IDENTITY POLICE moved into turn two and got cover at the other end of the turn but gapped it. CHING CHING LUCKY never entered contention. PADRE broke past the half.
TWELFTH RACE – SAMMY THE BULL N quarter-moved from third, had the opposition only reach his wheel, drew clear in the lane. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N raced into the pocket 3/16, came back on the attack 9/16, couldn’t overtake the winner but battled gamely to be second ahead of AN THE THUNDEROLLS. The latter left purposefully for the early lead, was content to yield for the pocket, lost ground in the lane and failed to hold place. WHATA TWIST was last, gained three-wide through the final turn and through the stretch in a very good showing. WHAT’S GOIN ON came out at the half and quickly gained cover, but soon was gapping it a bit, no late threat. BRADY TO GRONK was never prominent. MCLEISH stayed with the main group until headstretch. BAYONET was third-over but couldn’t keep up.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DREAM OF LUCK was outside past the 9/16 and soon had cover, stayed in the two-path in the stretch as his cover ducked inside, just enough to outfoot TERRY A HANOVER. The latter was three-high to the 1/8 and in front 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, backed out to third-over ¾, wide in the stretch and closed very strongly to come up just shy. BELLOWS BINGE was quarter-mover #2, fought off the first-over, but didn’t have enough for the late closers. MANKAT moved raw nearing the 5/8, couldn’t go by, went inside late turn and to the Pocono Pike, OK. THE NEXT THREE did not enter contention at any point. MUSCLE MACH A made two speed moves then yielded to an onrusher to sit the pocket, had had enough at the ¾.
FOURTEENTH RACE – WINNING IS SWEET made the lead into turn one, went on strongly forcing some tucks, yielded 5/16 but retook the lead, would not let the favorite get by him approaching the ¾, then held off the Pocono Pike bid of RYCROFT N. The latter was four-wide to turn one, three-wide most of the ¼, then onward to lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, stayed close then took his shot in the Pocono Pike, just missed. FATHER SARDUCCI did leave from the rail, yielded to turn one, out uncovered 3/8 and grinded up, had almost a full length advantage 11/16 but couldn’t cross over, fell back on the turn and looked done, but found renewed life in the stretch and paced gamely. DEVISSER was five-wide to turn one, saw no value remaining outside so took back to tuck, then was second-over, gapped down the back, three-wide late turn, OK. RANSOM DEMAND backed out to fourth-over, advanced in a blindswitch far turn and into the stretch, then had to change course for a continued clear path, steady effort. BUSH MAN A was three-wide early and between horses until tucking behind the winner near the ¼, inside, gapped most of the last half. REYS N A RUCKUS was third-over behind gapping cover, three-wide ¾ but didn’t gain. JUMPIN JAKE FLASH had the best view throughout.
FIFTEENTH RACE – DOWNTHEROAD Z TAM went up gradually and got into the pocket just past the ¼, gapped early backstretch but was tighter 11/16, to the Pocono Pike, lead midstretch, withstood RENO DINERO. The latter led the outer flow from nearing turn two, challenged, kept going gamely to the wire and just failed. ALWAYS BETTER was second-over, steadily for third. A SHORE LEGACY was away strongly and set a relatively quick pace for these in the frigid climate, drew clear headstretch but then paid the price for his exertions. SWEET SUCCESS moved third-over, drifted half-and-half off the second turn then bothered a foe, made up ground through the backstretch but flattened in the last 1/8; following an inquiry was placed for casing interference. LATEST ATTRACTION was never prominent. IVY STUD was fourth-over, got tangled up with a foe and suffered an interference break. CAPTAIN EMOTION let and yielded, gapped late on the first turn and gave the pocket off that bend, fell back considerably in the last quarter.
Mar 30, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A few degrees either side of 30 for the twilight card … Shifting wind … LITTLEBITASWAGGER had some speed and got third, stayed in, got to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter pulled out, and gradually worked by THE BUS A. The latter had early cover, then was raw at the 1/8 to 5/16 command, rolled on the lead, held very gamely. THISJETSABOOKIN made the top at the 1/8, pushed some then yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, outside entering the stretch, did well. SPORTY DRAGON was third-over, moved three-wide at the ¾ and gained a little. SOCIAL THEORIES didn’t factor after racing inside. KILLER MARTINI never got into the hunt. DREAMS ARE TRUE started first-up into turn two, only reached the wheel of the leader before tiring. BEEBEETEE was second-over, blindswitched through the far turn, not much late.
SECOND RACE – TSM PRINCESS TEDDI was in front at the 1/8 and wouldn’t let anybody past her early, opened up a clear lead by the half which she maintained to the wire, although MILLENIUMS GIRL narrowed in as the winner tired a bit late. The latter was four-wide towards turn one and three-wide 3/16 before taking back into a 4-tuck, sat in, not clear until headstretch, gained steadily through the lane. CATIE FAYE HANOVER had not-so-good cover, three-wide midturn, along for third. LOVELY LADY MAY was three-wide early then between horses, accepted the pocket 5/16, started gapping the winner at the half. SOME KINDA ANGEL had cover but came up empty. GEORGIE sat in with little. MAKE A SCENE trailed most of the way. MAGICAL LILY BEAR pushed things from the rail early, moved out 5/8 trying to get around the pocket gapper but had little herself.
THIRD RACE – WESLYNN CROWN got a forward spot, then moved raw 5/8, was unhurried and unworried while proving much the best, with the promise of more to come. DONATELLO HANOVER moved up well down the backstretch to get to second-over, did very well late against a good horse. CREATARMA was three-wide to turn one then two-wide almost to the ¼ before taking over, set the pace, had little left late. GATSBY left, took a tuck, was shuffled behind the tiring pocketsitter far turn, to the Pocono Pike and had some in recovery. BEER CHEESE sat in, was in tight quarters in the battle for minor honors through in stretch. LEBRON HANOVER was in front at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, backed off from midturn. SHOCK PROOF had little to offer. SUMTER fell way back in the stretch.
FOURTH RACE – YES DOUBLE DOWN was three-deep into turn one, made the lead past the ¼ and fronted these the rest of the way, good. STARLITSIMPLE RIG was close-up early, uncovered off turn two and worked up to the pocket 11/16, did well to maintain that spot. MARVELOUS KISS took back and needed almost to the ¼ to settle inside, then was third-over, three-wide far turn, closed well in a mile that was better than it may look. BULLVILLE KARLA was second-over while a bit roughgaited, fair between horses late. LOVIN MISS DAISY N was first to move, picked up cover then lost it 11/16, didn’t gain in the last ¼. RHYME N ROLL made the lead past the 1/8 and yielded past the ¼, gapped out in the pocket 5/8. RELLA TIVITY showed little throughout.
FIFTH RACE – Flurries during this race, and a shifting wind acting as a stretch tailwind here … UNLEASHED KEMP was looped, worked to command approaching the 3/8, stayed in control of these. SOUTHERN AUTUMN made the top at the 1/8, made the winner work for the top then sat the pocket, gapped on the far turn but then regained a better gear and trotted steadily late. GOO GOO LU LU went evenly after an inside journey. RAVIOLI broke early, recovered and gained along the inside throughout, not a bad atonement for the mistake. BOINGALICIOUS moved out 5/8 but didn’t offer much. AMBERS CHAMPION was very wide early and took back, not heard from again. OK SUNNY didn’t enter the picture. KEYSTONE VIENNA was forwardly-placed but lost gait entering the backstretch.
SIXTH RACE – CAPTAIN COOK was three-wide to the 1/8 en route to getting the front before the quick quarter, set the pace, saw off stern challenges from horses to both sides late. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT was in front at the 1/8 then yielded to the winner, to the Pocono Pike and inched closer but couldn’t quite get by. GIBOR started uncovered to turn two, finished well to be as close as he ever got to the winner at the wire. HUNTSVILLE PLACE was second-over, three-wide late turn, paced steadily late. HUNTING ANGELS circled others for the last check. DARIO HANOVER sat in, gapped at the ¾, moved outside but didn’t gain. BACK IN MY DAY was never prominent. TWIN B MUMBLE showed speed, started backing up from the three-hole 11/16.
SEVENTH RACE – Swirling wind … SUNDANCEDIAMOND tucked third early then quarter-moved to the lead, fronted these without a challenge and drew clear in a slowish last ¼. The rest of the field was each a neck ahead of the next one: HALL IT OFF was last at headstretch, angled wide just before midstretch, finished well for second. SCIROCCO PATRICK moved outside from last 5/8, made up ground. LIBERO HANOVER kept the pocket early, to the Pocono Pike, so-so. LIONBACKER KIDD took early control, yielded to the winenr, not much response the last quarter. MASTER CLASS stayed in, gapped 5/8, then looked like he didn’t have a clear path in the stretch.
EIGHTH RACE – Horses all over the racetrack much of the way … SULLIVAN was three-wide to the 3/16 en route to command off turn one, set fast fractions, bottomed this crew out. FOX VALLEY INFERNO left enough from the rail to keep the pocket, although loose in it much of the way, held on to place. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was kept inside by parked horses, finally outside early stretch but didn’t gain. TREASURE MACH also was locked inside, Pocono Pike but not that much. SO SO DE VIE was fourth-over, three-wide through the final turn until four-wide nearing headstretch, got the last check. BRANDON HANOVER was three-wide early, took back to follow cover the duration, gapped then tighter 5/8, edged three-wide late turn but couldn’t gain. GUINNESS PANIC was four-wide past the 1/8 and three-wide 3/16, then two-wide and pressed the fast pace, faded in the last quarter. CINNABAR DRAGON was outside the duration, blindswitched on the far turn, didn’t have a clear path while hard to read if having pace.
NINTH RACE – R HERBIE BLUE CHIP left between horses, was looped and didn’t take over until the 3/8, set the pace, had a clear lead on the far turn, then held off the resurgent LADY’S IMAGE. The latter went wide early right to command, strung the winner out to the 3/8, didn’t stay tight in the pocket towards the ¾, but then came back in the lane to make the winner work. HORNS FOR THREE was wide leaving, went behind cover then tucked fourth near the ¼, uncovered 5/8, held on for third ahead of NICE STUFF. The latter showed some speed, sat in, Pocono Pike, not quite enough for show. MOSCONI HANOVER was uncovered on the second turn, picked up cover 5/8, didn’t have enough. TIDQUIST was gapping down the backstretch. SIR CROMWELL went offstride coming off the second bend.
TENTH RACE – MOSSDALE LOTTEE N didn’t leave much but was able to hustle up into the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and burst to the lead. CHEEKIE BABE was third-over, three-wide midturn and four-wide headstretch, finished well. TEMPURA HANOVER was fourth-over, five-wide headstretch and still last midstretch, had a very big last 1/16. PREMIER DELAINEY was three-wide to the 1/8, took back and followed a parked rival, not tight on cover at a couple of points, eased wide headstretch, outpaced. OFF THE PRESS was caught in and shuffled, gradually eased outside in the lane and gained. SO DIVA was locked in and shuffled, not clear to the wire. SPEAKING OF COFFEE left between horses, was shut out of a hole and had to spend life on the rim, challenged well but inevitably tired in the stretch. COOLNCALCULATING N used the rail to advantage, set the pace with pressure, nothing left late.
ELEVENTH RACE – BANZAI AS tucked third at the 1/8, went uncovered at the half and put high heat on the leader, took off when that one broke headstretch then held off VOSS VOLO. The latter had an excellent cover trip, couldn’t quite get there but raced well. POSSESS THE STONE had to go three-wide past the 5/8 just to get around laggards and catch the main pack, ducked back inside, steadily for third. PIERCEWAVE HANOVER cleared everybody easily, yielded for the pocket, tired at the ¾. GROSETTO AS gapped most of the way. B YOYO was away second then moved 3/16 to take over the throttle, under pressure from past the half, broke as they turned for home, placed. PRESCOTT couldn’t get around a gapper and never entered the picture.
TWELFTH RACE – DRESDEN was handled patiently early and settled third, moved off the first turn to command just past the 3/8, strung out the field and won as if much the best and still having some in the tank. BROOKDALE JESSIE pulled out of fourth midturn and had enough closing kick to catch ELEGANT BLUE. The latter went right to the top, yielded to the winner, stayed close until headstretch, couldn’t preserve second. SHADOW ONE had the pocket early, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t move up. WHO’S SMOKIN N tucked fifth 3/16, gapped out ¾. THE OTHER THREE were far back throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BUZZ went right to the top, rated the half then sprinted the third quarter stringing out the field, had one rival eliminate himself headstretch then held off the late-charging MATT’S MUSCLES. The latter tucked third, gapped in the third quarter but got in gear on the far turn, just a little too much ground to make up. WILLIE B WORTHY made the pocket, got closer to the leader late backstretch, was easing out headstretch when going to a run, was restored to gait and finished third; an inquiry showed no cause for placing. PRIME POWER N gapped down the backstretch. RENTIER and MAYDAY VOLO never featured. DAYTONA DREAMIN moved out raw but didn’t advance.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN settled fourth early, then moved at the quarter, used some energy to clear before turn two, but had a comfortable margin throughout the last half. SEAL O’NEILL made the top 3/16, yielded to the winner, not in his league but held well for a clear second. MOVE THE LINE sat in, was not tight on the horse in front of him much of the last half, but then did a little better in the Pocono Pike. ALL CHEDDAR moved uncovered 5/8 and continued steadily. BETTORS AUTHORITY had cover, fair. THIRD POWER went around a gapper, widest in the lane and finished alertly. WESTERN WALTZ was forwardly-placed but gapped out 11/16. BEACH TOWN BOY lost ground the last half.
FIFTEENTH RACE – ELLAGATOR was three-wide past the 1/8, finally getting in fourth before the ¼, then was second-over, made a strong three-wide move on the turn that carried her to the lead headstretch, drew away. BRING ME DIAMONDS was away well to maintain the pocket, slipped out behind the winner headstretch and took second. JUXTA COWGIRL set a fast pace but could not hold her advantage. ANOTHER BEACH DAY got a 3-tuck, then was raw from off the second turn, held pretty well. MOONLIGHTANDROSES made up ground from a long way back for a check. DELILAH DE VIE sat in, not too much late. THE OTHER PAIR did not make their presence felt.
Mar 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid to low 40s … strong stretch headwind most of the way … flurries developing midcard, with the track “fast +0” for the first eight races and then “good +1” … TULLOW N had a good cover trip, one-geared it late through the slowing last quarter to get the decision. LORD OF MISRULE came up third-over in the good flow, wide stretch and almost got the nod. CHICKEN NUGGET made a delayed frontward move at the 1/8 and got into the pocket at the ¼, shuffled on the far turn, swung widest and finished very well. CAL was first-up just before the half, challenged in 27.2 with the wind down the back, got to the pocket midturn and to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough to get by. CAPTAIN MULZAC was away well, quarter-moved and went 28 into the wind to clear, had pressure, weakened midstretch. CLASSIC PRO went right to the lead and forced a tuck in the 26.3 opener, yielded for the two-hole, gapped on the backstretch and on the turn, then had no room as the two inside horses gave him no clear path. WINDSUN GOTHAM lost contact the last half.
SECOND RACE – OWEN got a forward spot, moved into the second turn and had the lead nearing the half, went 26.3 down the back to bury this field, all alone. HOPETOBEFIRST was out behind the winner, got to retuck in the pocket towards the 5/8, second-best. AMERICA’S GUEST was off the gate and way back, three-wide far turn and had steady gain late. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS was in the outside flow, left uncovered later in the backstretch, fair. JUST A WRANGLER was caught in and followed a shuffled foe out into a blindswitch before the 5/8, never prominent. HASH-TAG SWAG yielded for the pocket, shuffled badly when the leader gave way, came out in a blindswitch and retucked, not prominent late. IDEAL STAR N was away slowly and never was a factor. TRENTE DEO made the lead 3/16, rated the half, surrendered without a fight at the half, and backed through the field with a problem, was pulled up.
THIRD RACE – MUSHANA sat fourth, moved out far turn and widest in the lane, had the most late kick. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY sat third, followed cover just past the ¾, wide, not quite enough. CAN’T SAY NO let an outside leaver go then was moving 3/16 to reclaim command, rolled, couldn’t last. KEYSTONE SERGEANT stayed in, had to zig-zag for stretch clearance and gained (into a slowing last panel). CHUCKY DE VIE quickly gained command, yielded, pulled the pocket just past the ¾, tired. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was never prominent. FRAC lost contact down the back. KEYSTONE THUNDER broke well before the start, caught the field nearing the ¼, but fell back the last half.
FOURTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was three-wide early to get the lead past the 1/8 in a hot opener, went his second sub-27 quarter in 44o weather to fend off the favorite, very impressive performance. DANCIN DRAGON stayed reasonably in touch, outside stretch and performed gamely to wrest second over BILL HALEY N nearing the wire. The latter came uncovered at the half, paced in 26.1 the third split and could only get to the leader’s wheel, tucked in the pocket, out again in the lane, couldn’t gain and just failed to hold second. SOUTHWIND OZZI was between horses leaving, sat the pocket, was loose in it most of the last half. HUNDIE N couldn’t keep up 11/16. WAR-N-MUNN was first outside to turn two, got cover but couldn’t stay with it. THE OTHER PAIR were never prominent.
FIFTH RACE – EUROBOND took a spot third and went on behind the fast pace, outside to the ¾, went on by the leader in hand. BIG OIL set all the fast pace stringing out the field, overpowered in the latter stages. P L NOTSONICE defended the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, no gain but clearly third. THE OTHERS just held their positions all the way around while not being able to factor in the very fast trot mile.
SIXTH RACE – PARTY WHIP was three-wide to the 1/8 then backed off to fourth 3/16, uncovered past the 9/16, didn’t reach the leader until near headstretch, but proved much the best of these despite not an easy trip. BLATANTLY BEST had excellent cover, enough for second. ROCK KING DEO made two speed moves, couldn’t sustain his advantage. ROCK THREE TIMES was urged early but got away in the back, retucked down the back, OK between horses late. LIL JOHNNY left between horses, made the top off turn one then yielded for the two-hole, little left late. SNAP CALL lost contact past the half. SKYWAY BILLY was empty to the 5/8 and backed through the field.
SEVENTH RACE – BELIEVER moved off the first turn to 3/8 command, went a quick third split and had a clear lead into the stretch, tiring late and just held off KINDA LUCKY LINDY. The latter moved with cover then was left raw by the 3/8, kept advancing and just missed. ALTUS HANOVER was in the outside flow, briefly three-wide as a rival moved out to avoid a shuffle, two-wide at a distance on the turn, OK. BLENHEIM was three-wide early, tucked fourth at the 1/8, came again raw into turn two, got to the pocket 5/8, couldn’t gain late. SPIRIT OF DEO got the last check. GRAPPLE HANOVER was away quickly, yielded, shuffled down the back then briefly edged out to clear a tiring foe, retucked, not much. CONSUS VICTORY was near the back throughout. SHAKE IT OFF LINDY was four-wide towards turn one and three-wide to the 1/8, in front 3/16, yielded for the pocket, had had enough 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – The flurries started … MR CENSI took the pocket leaving and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, just edged a horse to each side. SPANISH ART was second-over, three-wide headstretch and finished well but just missed. MAJOR OFFENSE stayed connected third-in, went deep in the Pike and was right there at the finish. STELLAR BB wanted to set the pace, didn’t have enough to sustain the advantage to the wire. CAN’T KNOCK ME was part of a gapping last three along with SADIQ HANOVER and BLACKLIGHT, did get a check. INDIGO ART started raw into the second bend, went 27.1 down the back, tired in the last 1/8.
NINTH RACE – Track rerated to “good +1”; also the wind slackened a bit … CUPID HANOVER yielded past the 1/8 for the pocket, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, another who had to fight off a horse on each side late. DIVINE SPIRIT rode outside the whole way, gradually grinded up, never took a backward step showing great courage. MISTER BOINGA got in third going to turn one, sat in, looked to have to wait for full clearance in the deep Pike, then was moving well late. DAGON HANOVER was second-over, gapped a bit on the turn, continued on as the pace slackened. BC’S ROSE was the leader before the 3/16, set the pace, couldn’t hold in a back 1:29.3 3.4s. BOASTER COASTER swung wide into the stretch and narrowed in well. SPIT AND VINEGAR did not contend. TRICKY DICK gapped third-over.
TENTH RACE – The fractions posted during the race were incorrect; the official fractions were 27, 55.1, 1:24.2, 1:51.4 … GO WEST GO FAST settled third early, on the move 5/16 before the parked horse reached him to make the lead just past the 3/8, wasn’t pressured down the back, then sprinted home in 27.2 to open a clear lead and be safe though tiring some late. CAVIART MAX pulled at the ¼ and was second-over, three-wide far turn, came home very powerfully. WESTERN TYRANT stayed in, had room to move out midturn, wide and also gained well. SHAMMA LAMMA was well-back, angled wide as did the second and third horses and finished with belated speed. LINCOLN JAMES was outside the mile, gradually advanced, worked up into contention, couldn’t sustain after the very hard trip. WON LAST FEELING went to the early lead, surrendered it to the winner to sit second, not much at crunch time. BOBBY K HILL got the early pocket, stayed in, gapped down the backstretch. BAMSKI was urged off the gate but did not show speed, moved out third-over but gapped.
ELEVENTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV was third-over, swung wide and closed strongly into a slowing tempo to win easily. ONE AFTER NINE, a bit off the gate, was near the back, went wide behind the winner and picked up everybody else. MOON BRIDGE was second-over, swung wide but only went evenly. STONEBRIDGE ARMOUR was three-wide to the 1/8 and out most of the ¼ to make the lead, yielded 3/8, went right up driver Allard’s back 11/16 while unruly as the first-over came on the scene, resettled in the pocket, Pocono Pike, didn’t have too much of a late response. PIVOTAL was uncovered from the half, gained late backstretch, but couldn’t continue going forward. RED REDEMPTION set the pace with two moves, looked to be all-out by the 3/4s though holding the lead to headstretch. FOCUS POCUS was in front at the 1/8, yielded, wound up third-in, got jammed up on the far turn as the innermost tier wasn’t going much, ran up on the horse in front of him and broke. CREDIT CON broke just after the start.
TWELFTH RACE – CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL tucked third, came uncovered just before the half and blew by while pacing his third quarter in 27, opening a clear lead he never yielded in a very fast mile. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO followed the winner out, tucked in the pocket before the ¾, a clear second. DERECHO went to the front quickly, yielded, escaped a pocket shuffle 5/8, tucked back in third past the ¾, held on for the show. BEACH FIRE N got out into a blindswitch ¾, finished with a bit of pace. MR FRISKIE BOY passed tired horses. PARKLANE JET gapped down the backstretch, came out and was nudged three-wide ¾, no factor. BASS PLAYER was not heard from. LEGAL POWER made two moves to control the pace after a fast quarter, had no answer for the winner and backed up.
THIRTEENTH RACE – IM A GIGOLO N moved not long off the first turn to control the pace, came home in 55.2 and handled a tough rival in SHVAIKO. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 and then two-wide most of the ¼ to get the lead, yielded for the pocket, had a good trip, to the Pocono Pike, showed determination but couldn’t quite make it. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO was first in, then yielded, was helmetbumping in the three-hole during quarter two, couldn’t keep pace late. GRAY DRAGON was second-over, three-wide late turn, not enough rally. VIRGIN STORM moved uncovered 3/8, challenged, couldn’t sustain in the final panel. DO WORK SON was third-over, ducked in on the far turn, was not prominent in the stretch. AFLAME HANOVER never got close. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN lost contact approaching the 5/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HORSE sprung right out to the lead and was aided by the confusion caused by the breaker, had a clear lead much of the middle half, held gamely to the line. EXPLOIT had begun a quarter-move from fourth 3/16 when bothered by the breaker and had to go wide, retucked in the pocket and gapped midrace, got closer, steadily but not enough. FULL MOON BEACH was probably bothered the worst in the field having to go very wide at the ¼, to second-over, three-wide past the ¾ and went on nicely. JACKIE MOON was bothered, sat in and shuffled to last, widest in the lane and had good velocity late. HIGH MINDED tucked third, bothered, in, Pocono Pike, little response late. RIVERTON AM was bothered, moved two- and three-wide but couldn’t gain enough. ROGERS IMAGE went into the pocket at the 1/8, broke at the ¼ causing confusion, recovered and paced up raw, tired in the lane.
FIFTEENTH RACE – PRINCE OF TIDES was four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide to the 3/16 then on to the lead 5/16, but the early work didn’t appear to bother him at all, as he went on at a good clip and was a safe winner. JK MUSICMAN was two-wide early before taking a hole, moved uncovered 5/8, paced very strongly to the wire though not really threatening. BRAVO TEX N was second-over, next in line. DOUBLEORNOTHING N was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-deep to 3/16 command, yielded to the winner, couldn’t match strides from the 11/16. STATEMENT MADE A showed good speed as innermost of the leavers, raced third, was blocked on the far turn but didn’t gain once shown the Pocono Pike. THE OTHER TRIO were in arrears throughout.
Mar 25, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A seasonable day over a “fast” track … P L LEEROY was three-wide early, to the pocket 3/16, stayed tight, outside early stretch, took over deep stretch and held off PIRATES ALLEY. The latter followed cover from third-over, tipped four-wide headstretch and finished very strongly. IC A FREE SPIRIT tucked early, stayed in, got clearance in the Pocono Pike before midstretch, may have found momentum a little too late. IYQ YQR headed down the road, kept a challenger parked, not enough in the last 1/16. DARK HORSE was outside behind cover leaving, then moved forward to challenge uncovered, held on very well. NEWBIE backed out to follow cover 5/16, had a good trip, swung three-wide but didn’t respond late. SANATTLE SLEW and SKYWAY BILLY were in close quarters while well back at the ¾.
SECOND RACE – SAMMY THE BULL N was looped early, proceeded up until taking over off the first curve, was in charge the rest of the way. WHATS GOIN ON started a long uncovered move on the second turn, held his ground nicely in the stretch. ROCKIN PANDA was quickly to the front before the first turn, let the winner go to sit the pocket, Pocono Pike, evenly late while well ahead of the rest. VILLAGE CHAMP angled wide late turn and had a bit of late speed. GOLDEN GESTURE looked to quarter-move but retucked when he couldn’t summon immediate quickstep, not prominent thereafter. HAPPY CAMPER struggled second-over. MT ADAMS never factored. SIR GENE G HANOVER tucked fourth 3/16, started gapping before the half.
THIRD RACE – TNT BLUE CHIP went right to the top, minded his manners, and won by half a block despite an only-moderate time. MOJAVE HANOVER advanced inside from midpack and took second. FRANKIE HILL was well back, moved wide late turn and was along for third. DANGA RUSS moved out second-over but was empty. SUMTER tucked third then got the pocket after the two-holer broke, gapped at several points. BIG BEN HANOVER was away in the pocket when breaking at the 1/8. DONATELLO HANOVER went uncovered past the 5/8 and had gotten to second when miscuing on the far turn. K J PHILLIP was offstride well before the start.
FOURTH RACE – SPINOUT was innermost of three leavers, yielded at the ¼ only to be right on the retake, proved the best here though not in fast time. BRADY TO GRONK started raw towards turn two, got cover into the backstretch, went three-wide before the ¾, back to two-wide past midturn, steadily for second. MONEYORROSES was third-over but couldn’t keep up two- or three-wide, along for show. MACHING TIME gapped inside down the back, to the Pocono Pike and made up some ground as the pace decelerated. TOWNLINE JATED left between horses, tucked third 3/16, moved again first-over, not much left in the last quarter. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A was three-wide 3/16 then two-high to the ¼ to reach the point, yielded for the pocket, wasn’t keeping up tight from the 5/8. SHADY MEMORIES broke while last past the half.
FIFTH RACE – 56.4 to the half, 1:01.1 home … TRULY moved up during a slow third quarter, swung four-wide headstretch and had the most pace late. IDEAL DESTINY left, yielded, stayed in third, regained the pocket 5/8 as an opponent ran, to the Pocono Pike, had a shot, not quite enough. SAN ANTONIO STROLL gapped much of the first half, then moved outside off turn two and made up a lot of ground (but it was in a 30.4 third quarter) to challenge for the lead, may have been ahead for a couple of steps midstretch but couldn’t sustain her forward gear. HOFFMAN HANOVER left, was a bit rough, made the top at the ¼, yielded 3/8, broke in the pocket 5/8, recovered quickly, gained back into a slow last ¼. COME ZOOM WITH ME went up second-over, three-wide far turn, flattened. TEEN DREAM stayed inside, spent most of the stretch looking for a clear path. JAGGED LITTLE PILL lost cover at the ¼ and continued on to the lead 3/8, tried to back things down as much as possible, but still had little late.
SIXTH RACE – MR BIG LOAD had to wait for dull cover to retuck, then advanced third-over, wide late on the far turn and caught SPORTSMANSHIP in a 30.1 kicker. The latter started uncovered into the backstretch, grinded up to challenge, made the lead and crossed over past midturn, failed to sustain the lead to the wire. LIMA SPARTAN was in the pocket, shuffled on the turn and out in a blindswitch late turn, kept angling wide and finished solidly after a luckless trip. AN THE THUNDEROLLS had good cover second-over, uncovered past midturn, evenly late. MCLEISH gapped, then made up some ground as the pace slowed. POLAK A dashed right to the lead, rolled on down the highway, was finished when challenged before the far turn. JAMES RIVERSIDE lost contact past the half. BAYONET moved out third-over but had no pace and moved back inside.
SEVENTH RACE – BLING IM A WINNER seated an early rival, walked the second quarter, then drew clear of these late. MYREANNA sat in and was far back, weaved between horses in the stretch and did well to be second. BOURBON CHESTNUT was far back, closed ground on the far outside. HOT CHOCO LATTE was three-wide leaving, accepted the pocket 3/16, tired and drifted left in the stretch. AMBERS CHAMPION left between horses and tucked third, gapped from the backstretch. BALLERINI was underway 3/8, made up ground midrace but then was tired at the end. TILL IM GONE got to be second-over from last, three-wide midturn, made a break midstretch. GHIBLI broke just before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – SOMWHERENBROOKLN N left, was used just past the 3/16 in a fast quarter to get the lead, rated the half, had HYPOTHETICAL banging away at him the last 7/16 but held determinedly. The latter got a forward early spot, was uncovered into turn two and soon was fighting with the leader, battled away very hard, held with great gameness. BADIX HANOVER left strongly to take over early and pushed the winner hard before yielding for the pocket, had a shot in the Pocono Pike, held OK but didn’t gain. HAYMITCH stayed in, found clearance early stretch and was moving well late. WHATA TWIST gapped early, then joined the flow second-over, gapped late backstretch, evenly. BEACHMASTER TWO flushed an excess of cover and went back in, not heard from thereafter. BEST SHOT N was third-over, tried going three-wide ¾ but had no gain. BJ’S GUY was fourth-over, not too much late.
NINTH RACE – GREG THE LEG headed right down the road forcing wholesale tucks, slowed the half, then came home in 56.2- 28 to defeat JO PA’S TURN. The latter was the innermost of the outside leavers and worked into the pocket, stayed tight, outside early stretch, did well but had to settle for second. C-BET HANOVER tucked third early, loose in the third quarter but better in the fourth. PARTY CENTRAL, wide leaving, needed until almost the ¼ to settle inside, came out raw 5/8, backed off the last 3/16. HUNTING FOR MILES moved with cover, went back inside far turn, not that much. THE OTHER THREE were always far back.
TENTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … A SHORE LEGACY quickly raced up into the pocket, pulled out 11/16 and soon went to the lead, withstood the late onrushers. ALWAYS BETTER moved outside towards the far turn, went wide and went past a lot of horses in the lane. SWEET SUCCESS started uncovered 9/16, got cover 11/16 but lost it early far turn, took the two-hole late turn, Pocono Pike, outpaced. DOWNTHEROAD Z TAM was wide to the first bend, got into third 3/16, gapped midrace, then was badly shuffled around the far turn as stuck in behind the fading leader, weaved clear and made up a lot of ground before being shut off nearing the wire for lack of room. RENO DINERO was way out of it throughout, had some kick late for the last check. MESSIER SEELSTER went down the road, yielded ¾ and tired. ETBAUER was in the outer flow, very little in the last 1/8. MESSIAH was away last and was always well behind.
ELEVENTH RACE – WINDY MICKI was quickly on the lead, went a fast opener then rated, had the pocket horse tire to let the first-over in behind, held that one off as she tried to come up the inside. MIKI ROSE was uncovered into turn two, steadily gained, got the pocket just past the ¾, tried the winner and gained a little late but not quite enough. CAVEN POINT was behind cover early then tucked midpack, moved second-over, inside midturn, so-so late. SHES A BULLVILLE was in the lively outer flow, went in headstretch and had some pace. HELLRUNNER HANOVER was third-over but couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. BYGONE HANOVER took back all the way to seventh early, sat in and was shuffled before the ¾, poor-luck outing today. CHERISH HANOVER was looped, worked up to tuck third, stopped badly 11/16. BARDMIRY maintained the pocket, stayed close to the ¾ then fell way back.
TWELFTH RACE – MAXIMUS RED A was last until the ¾, got out three-wide in a blindswitch then could swing four-wide late turn, had a good last eighth in him and relentlessly came on to catch BAY MEADOWS. The latter made the top, yielded 5/16 but was quick to retake, had a horse come at him at the ½, went a good 3/4s to dispose of that one, stole away to a clear lead, but was tired and could not last to the finish. LITTLE POWER advanced inside, found a slot early stretch (sacrificing momentum to the winner), was moving well late. TERRY A HANOVER was parked and urged to take over the lead 5/16, immediately yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up ¾. HEARTBEAT HILL gapped early, moved outside 11/16 then three-wide ¾, but didn’t gain. REYS N A RUCKUS tucked early and kept a hole closed, no factor late. BUSH MAN A went right after the pacesetter after he retook, but his bid stalled nearing the ¾. DRINKIN AGAIN went two-wide, didn’t gain and kept drifting further and further wide.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DEVISSER sat in third most of the way, outside with cover ¾, left uncovered later on the turn, kept coming and was along in the shadow of the wire. SPIDER MAN HANOVER was on an open lead virtually all the way, just failed to last to the finish. JAMAICAN COWBOY was the first to move before the 5/8, got to the pocket midturn, continued up the inside and wasn’t far off. READY TO RUMBLE N was far back until the ¾, then steadily made up ground. SPORTS HERO left and got to the two-hole past the 1/8, gapped virtually the rest of the way. IMIDEAL HANOVER didn’t offer much. THUNDER SOME WHERE was outside down the back but gapped badly, ducked in far turn. LAREDO TORPEDO N was already gapping in a strung-out field by the 3/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NIHILATED TRUTH was very wide early then fell in behind cover, left uncovered before the ¼ and pressed onward, hard-used to get the lead past the 3/8, but withstood anything thrown at him in a giant mile for this type. POINTSMAN left and forced tucks, finally yielded past the 3/8, stayed close, came out early stretch, good but second-best this day. ABSOLUTE INTENT moved to third-over, three-wide on the far turn, best of the rest. OHOKA JOHNNY N was outside, tucked before the ¼, then second-over, three-wide past the 11/16 to two-wide on the turn, was not a late factor. MORE DRAGON was never prominent. TODDLER TANTRUM left and had the early two-hole, came out early in the backstretch, went up a little then fell back a lot. CAVIART SAGE didn’t have much to offer here. QUEEN KENDALL gapped in trail position.
FIFTEENTH RACE – ROGUE CHEDDAR was in front before the 1/8, yielded to an early move to sit the two-hole, caught that one up the Pocono Pike. NATHAN FEELSGOOD set the pace with two moves, held nicely. WHATA TREASURE did not have flowing cover and was last ¾ as third-over, too far to come. SKYWAY FIREBALL was second-over, three-wide ¾, OK. RANSOM DEMAND sat in, swung wide in the lane and was moving well late. ARTACHE HANOVER was looped and parked, in at the ¼, uncovered into turn two but never got close, still not very far off at the wire after being used very hard. HEREHECOMESAROCKIN had some step away from the gate, but was then not a factor.
