Mar 2, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – After Saturday’s cancellation, the track was “fast” for the Sunday program … Temperatures in the low 40s at the start of the card dropped to freezing by program’s end … Wind was not very strong and variable throughout the card … ABSOLUTE INTENT gapped the top two in the fast initial panel, was uncovered 9/16, grinded by on the turn, drew clear. SPORTSMANSHIP left, yielded 3/16 for the pocket in a brisk opener, had to wait for the Pocono Pike far turn as the winner started to edge clear, decent but not sharp response in a 30.2 kicker. SPORTS HERO got a spot fourth, stayed in, edged out in a blindswitch late turn then swung wide, finished with speed. TODDLER TANTRUM was third-over behind not-good cover, three-wide late turn, outkicked for show. OHOKA JOHNNY N was wide much of the quarter taking back, stayed in, gained some late. WHAT’S GOIN ON was last, gained a bit on the extreme outside. YS SUNSHINE was uncovered at the half and soon got cover, but gapped it most of the last 3/8. POLAK A left hard to get the lead 3/16 in a 27 opener, under attack down the back and had little resistance in the last 3/16.
SECOND RACE – BAY MEADOWS moved from third just past the half and went 27.1 down the back to clear 11/16, stayed strong to the wire. NIHILATED TRUTH was three-wide between horses to the pocket at the 1/8, then quarter-moved, couldn’t hold the winner out in the big third split but pursued him home doggedly in a fine effort. TJ BLAST stayed in, shuffled some as the pocketsitter lost touch, outside midturn and wide stretch, clear if far-back third. NEWBIE was underway raw 3/8 and got cover into the backstretch but couldn’t go with it. ROCK THREE TIMES gapped a gapper third-over. MORE DRAGON and SUNSETBOOZECRUISE were never heard from. SPIDER MAN HANOVER left nicely four-wide right to the lead, yielded, started gapping out not that long into the backstretch.
THIRD RACE – FAST MACHINE came uncovered into turn two and blasted a 27.3 third panel to easily grab the lead and quickly draw clear. PARTY LINE was three-wide to the 1/8 and went on to take over 5/16, no match when the winner came calling but held off HUNTING FOR ANSWRS for second. The latter worked to the fore just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, gapped midbackstretch then was blocked on the far turn, had the Pocono Pike, didn’t appear to have an excuse for not being second. JAGGED LITTLE PILL stayed in, then backed out down the back, three-wide late turn, closed in some. BOTTOM BLUES was forwardly–placed early, was stuck inside, evenly late. GENESIS was behind cover which stopped flowing. TREACHEROUS GIRL was raw at the 5/16, got the winner out at the other end of the frontstretch, then couldn’t keep up with her. DON’T GO THERE was not heard from.
FOURTH RACE – SKYWAY FIREBALL was away fourth, had the two- and three-holers come out down the back and raced up the pylons into the pocket, slipped out headstretch and won for fun. JAMAICAN COWBOY gapped in the third quarter, took the inside route on the turn, moved outside midstretch and was a clear second. ROCKIN PANDA left between horses and went on to grab command, under pressure from before the 5/8, tired. MCLEISH left, yielded for the two-hole, vacated same 9/16 but never could get by the leader. BJ’S GUY was three-wide to turn one before sliding into the 3-spot, moved to second-over down the back and then three-wide before the ¾, came up empty. SHARKNADO lagged badly.
FIFTH RACE – GROSETTO AS moved at the ¼ and was left raw 5/16 to the front just past the 3/8, set the pace without threat, had enough to keep off KEYSTONE SERGEANT. The latter was raw early on turn two, got to tuck in the pocket before the 11/16, looked to edge out late turn but then went back in to the Pocono Pike, steadily but couldn’t get there. PUERTO RICO was behind dull cover, shifted inside late turn and won a photo for the distant third. CRITICAL MASS was first to the front, saw two go by in quarter two, backed out down the back and retucked third before the ¾, just caught for show. CARAMEL MACCHIATO was not prominent. WHOUCALNCRAZY followed cover, lost it, and couldn’t gain. ALL RISE tried to circle dull cover but never reached. GINGER TREE KNOX was outleft, pressed on to the lead 5/16, yielded just past the 3/8, couldn’t keep up midbackstretch.
SIXTH RACE – CHEEKIE BABE originally moved out to follow cover on turn two but couldn’t keep up and ducked back in, rode the pylons, found clearance inside and had a good last 1/8 as the pace slowed to be along. PLEASURE SEEKER was in front before the 1/8, yielded, was shuffled when the pacesetter gave way past the 5/8, slipped out past midturn and tipped wide headstretch, steadily. BYTHEWAY HANOVER went in fourth at the 3/16, came raw entering turn two, cleared late 5/8 and opened up what looked like it might be a winning lead, but hit the wall midstretch. GEORGIE backed out in front of gapping cover at the half and was left raw 5/8, tired a little. GETTING GONE was forced widest in the lane and had good pace. DEL DIGGITY hugged the inside, evenly. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI gapped cover. CATIE FAYE HANOVER refused a pocket tuck and made the lead at the ¼, rested to the half, then had no answer for the brusher and faded.
SEVENTH RACE – A bit of a stretch tailwind … HURRIKANE WILLIE G let the outside ones decide early positions then quarter-moved, had no trouble with these. FINAL CLASS left between horses to 3/16 command, forced a tuck, then let the winner go, not in that one’s league but held well for second at 60-1. HIP HOP GRACIE came uncovered past the 3/8 and made a big rush down the backstretch to challenge, held well. HALL IT OFF was caught behind a tired one on the far turn, swung wide and finished nicely. BY A HOFF HANOVER was three-wide well past the 1/8, then two-wide and accepted the pocket at the ¼, tired the last 5/16. CHROME PACKAGE never got close. CHING CHING LUCKY was away slowly, couldn’t keep up behind the uncovered horse. BRIGITTE BI broke an 1/8 before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – CONSUS VICTORY took command early, slowed the half, and was well in control of this one. EPOS OSTERVANG DK went out to secure the pocket, had a perfect trip, not enough sprint late. ALEXANDER HANOVER took back early and was far back, trotted a very big last quarter to miss second by not much. CREWS HILLTOPPER went raw at the 5/8 and made a mild bid but couldn’t sustain it. SHOOT THE THRILL was gapping towards the ¾. NOTMEITSYOU didn’t have enough. ARCH CREDIT also took back early, trailed thereafter.
NINTH RACE – ITSONLYMONEYHONEY sat in fourth to the ¾ then moved outside, gained quickly once in gear and took over command midstretch. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY yielded and sat the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike and was along for second. RED REDEMPTION got the lead 3/16, kept the field strung out with a big third quarter, little left late. THE IRISHMAN was three-wide to the first bend, tucked third before the 3/16, distant best of the others. PHANTOM RUSTY sat in and got the last check. THE OTHER THREE couldn’t get near to the front action.
TENTH RACE – For this race there was a minor stretch headwind … CHAMP CHARBEL was away strongly four-wide to the early lead, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, gapped from off turn two until near headstretch, then came inside the leader as he tired and outclosed a pair. LINCOLN BOULEVARD took back amidst many leavers, went first-up past the 3/8, never reached the leader until the stretch, just got second over BETTORS AUTHORITY. The latter followed cover, went three-wide nearing the stretch, didn’t miss by much. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then forward to 5/16 command, opened up a big lead which he held into the stretch, but couldn’t sustain in a 29.4 last quarter. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN got the last check. HEAVEN’S SUPERSTAR left well, stayed in, faded late backstretch. ZOES LUCKY GUY and JUNIOR MAN were far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – Wind back to calm … THIRD POWER made the top easily, rated the half, never had a problem while buzzing home in 28. YER SO BAD sat the two-hole, not able to go with the winner but kept SPORTS SECTION safe to retain second. The latter stayed connected, finished with some pace. CAPTAIN COOK was behind poor cover, very wide headstretch, gained. MESSIAH never featured. MIKALOB ULTRA was wide leaving, took back, next to the breaker near the ¼, moved outside, couldn’t enter the picture. TREVORS HUNT made a miscue near the ¼, followed early cover, was able to come through two-wide 11/16 as that one bore out, couldn’t sustain in the last 3/16. MESSIER SEELSTER made a break past the start, recovered, forced wide around trouble near the ¼, uncovered before the 3/8 and was head-to-head with the second horse by the 5/8, but then ran out of gas and bore out.
TWELFTH RACE – BETTER BE OSCAR A had a great second-over trip, three-wide past midturn, probably made harder work of it than he should have off that journey but did get the “W.” BULLVILLE TERROR left, refused a look at a 3-hole and was out in fast fractions to 3/8 command, under hard pressure, just failed in a giant mile. BRAVO TEX N was fourth-over, three-wide around dull cover 11/16, covered three-wide past midturn, wider and strong. CAPTAIN CASH left nicely, was reluctant to yield but did so 3/8, pocket to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. NOWHERE CREEK A had nowhere to go behind a wall much of the stretch, then gained behind the winner. DEETZY did not factor. STATEMENT MADE A kept the hole plugged early, went uncovered to the half and made a good third quarter challenge, but could not sustain it. DREAM OF LUCK gapped third-over.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LEVITATION took the early lead, made the chalk work to get the lead past the 3/8, gapped down the backstretch then tightened, moved out of the pocket on the turn and went easily by, had enough to keep DIVINE SPIRIT at bay. The latter vacated fifth at the ¾ and had a lot of trot in the stretch. BOASTER COASTER was forwardly-placed, to the Pocono Pike, OK. TRUMAN JR HANOVER was well off the gate, moved at the ¼, was urged 3/8 to get by before the second turn and soon opened a big lead, had the field come to him to the ¾ and gave way. KEYSTONE THUNDER was wide leaving then took a hole, not a factor thereafter. CRUSHWORTHY was three-wide into turn one and took all the way back to last, then didn’t move from that positioning.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TOWNLINE FLIGHT left very well to maintain the pocket, left a gap in the quick backstretch and a bigger one on the turn, but then found a better gear as the leader tired and sailed right by. KEYSTONE PHOENIX made the lead in a quick quarter, got a breather, then strung out the field in a 27.3 third panel, was well clear almost to midstretch, but could not finish the mission. MAJOR OFFENSE was third-over behind dull cover, came a long way nicely to be a distant third. BET YOU gapped behind the gapping winner, then didn’t have his late acceleration. STENDAHL HANOVER went a big third quarter uncovered to challenge, then tired. CANT KNOCK ME moved out into turn two and soon got cover, but couldn’t stay with it. ALL CHEDDAR trailed.
FIFTEENTH RACE – Stretch headwind in the finale. … VIRGIN STORM forced a fellow leaver to tuck, was in charge of the pace, held off some good opposition. KEYSTONE STEAM was around an early gapper, then was uncovered into turn two, was a very good grinder and kept on digging right to the wire. RIFLEMAN was underway before the 3/8 and had cover by the second turn, three-wide midturn, another good come-from-behind effort. TERRY A HANOVER took the early pocket against the winner, was still second in midstretch but faded a bit late. INDIGO ART was third-over, wide with cover midturn, did well. MIKIMOTO was never prominent. BLACKLIGHT sat third, couldn’t keep up the last quarter. SADIQ HANOVER showed little at any point.
Feb 25, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Not as cold as yesterday, but still sub-40o … Stretch headwind, not as brisk as on Saturday, and decreasing later on the card… FATHER SARDUCCI left, forced a tuck, let an opponent go by off the first turn but was quick to reclaim the lead, held together gamely. LEGAL POWER was away third, moved 3/16 to make the top off the first bend, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, out again midturn, did well but wasn’t really threatening the winner. SKYWAY FIREBALL came uncovered at the half, retucked third 3/16, saw the top two get away ¾, next. ABSOLUTE INTENT was last, passed tired stock. WHAT’S GOIN ON moved with cover, lost cover 11/16, couldn’t get close. GOLDEN GESTURE took the pocket at the 1/8, stayed in, all done 5/8.
SECOND RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM was three-wide to the 1/8 and went on to take over nearing the ¼, wasn’t pressured on the lead, all-out late to defeat TOWNLINE FLIGHT. The latter was between horses leaving, tucked third 3/16, gapped in quarter two then was uncovered past the 5/8, one-geared up and was never closer to the winner than at the finish. NIHILATED TRUTH was behind the first turn breaker but wasn’t bothered severely, stayed in, Pocono Pike, OK. NEWBIE left well, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close, but tired late. ROCK THREE TIMES was bothered early, caught up and got cover but gapped it. JACKAMINO made a break 3/16 and went to the infield, caught the pack and was three-wide on the far turn, made a decent recovery but was placed for causing interference. CHARLIES DRAGON was pushed very wide in the breaking incident, never heard from thereafter.
THIRD RACE – ENCHANTED MISSION quarter-moved, wasn’t pushed on the lead, looked good holding off SHAKE IT OFF LINDY. The latter went right out to the front, forced a tuck, yielded to the winner and stayed tight, came outside late turn, narrowed in a bit but had to settle for second. MY LINDY WINNER was outside behind nonadvancing cover, went three-wide 11/16 and was wide the duration, steadily. BANZAI AS left, took the early two-hole 3/16, not too much late. AWOL HANOVER was last, finished mildly. PILGRIM CAVIAR was outside raw at the half, didn’t advance much before fading.
FOURTH RACE – UNCLE COZ was in front early then yielded to sit a tight two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike and had the most response late in a slowing kicker. BJ’S GUY backed out to follow the favorite 5/8, three-wide midturn, steadily for the deuce. SPORTS HERO went around a gapper, then swung wide in the stretch and had some late lick. YS SUNSHINE was out past the 1/8 for the lead, would not surrender the top to intense pressure, paid a price late although not bad. SPORTSMANSHIP was on the move from fifth at the ¼, went his own middle half in 56.1 raw challenging hard for the lead, eventually gave way after showing much energy. GRANTOR HANOVER gapped out. DUCKIES DYNASTY had a problem early and was pulled up.
FIFTH RACE – ROCKIN SPEED bided his time outside early until things settled up front, went on to take over 3/8, stormed home in 55.4 – 27.3. NORTHERN CREEK A left, yielded then came out in front of the favorite, went to the lead then yielded to the winner, all-out, held his ground well. TERRY A HANOVER left swiftly, saw two go by before the 3/8, kept up OK for third. DEETZY stayed in, was last, some along the inside in the sprint home. MUSCLE MACH A was uncovered 5/8 but couldn’t make much headway in the quick numbers to the wire; nor could second-over INDIGO ART.
SIXTH RACE – PRESIDENT worked quickly to the top, turned back the first-over headstretch and drew away. ARCH CREDIT settled in the two-hole at the 1/8, not in the league of the winner but held place. POWERFUL YIELD was away well and spotted fourth at the 1/8, came raw past the 5/8 and raced the leader through the turn, backed off a bit in the stretch. PUERTO RICO was away for good forward position, couldn’t gain along the inside late. GINGER TREE KNOX left a big gap the first half, did get the last check. SHOOT THE THRILL and WHOUCALNCRAZY were always far back. ARGENTO was out on the move off turn two, broke just as he got cover just past the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – MAJOR SHOW gapped a gapping pocket horse early, tighter down the back and outside to the 3/4, wide stretch and went to the lead to midstretch, enough. MASK ON MASK OFF moved outside late backstretch then moved to the pocket on the turn, back out behind the two-wide horse headstretch as fearful of losing momentum waiting for the Pocono Pike, may not have found full clearance until too late. IVY STUD was far back, but moved outside midturn and had crisp pace through the lane. YER SO BAD left, took the pocket then gapped until the 5/8, pulled to challenge the leader, held his ground pretty well. TREVOR’S HUNT looked to go between horses in the lane, may have been in tight quarters with some pace. MESSIER SEELSTER blasted away and was on a clear lead until just past the 5/8, battled the outside challenger, tired, reported back with “b.e.” MELANIE’S NICK never was a factor.
EIGHTH RACE – WINGS UP was innermost of a gaggle of leavers, wound up third, gapped a little as the pace picked up down the back, outside turn and wide stretch, kicked in nicely and was along to post the upset. MOON BRIDGE was between horses leaving, on top to the 3/16, yielded, retook 5/16, slowed quarter two then sprinted quarter three, opened a clear lead headstretch but couldn’t hold the advantage to the wire. NOTMEITSYOU was able to come all the way up the inside in the last quarter and had some trot on the end. CHUCKY DE VIE was four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide nearing the 3/16 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, came out near headstretch but couldn’t gain. O JONNIE avoided trouble. VOSS VOLO had the dull cover of CONSUS VICTORY, who was wide early then tucked, and neither of these two got close the last half. KEYSTONE SERGEANT looked to leave but took back, broke nearing the first turn.
NINTH RACE – Wind calmer … EASYRUNNER HANOVER left, settled in third briefly then quarter-moved, rated the half, pressured only in the stretch, but there they came from every direction, and she had to be good to hold on. WANNASHAKEYOURTREE was out quickly and grabbed the racetrack, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and narrowed in well. CATIE FAYE HANOVER left enough to protect the early pocket, moved outside ¾, paced stoutly late. LOVELY LADY MAY stayed connected, outside mid-far turn and wide early stretch, gained steadily. CHEEKIE BABE was uncovered into turn two, was done past the 5/8; THE OTHER TWO were out behind her, also never entered the main picture.
TENTH RACE – GETYOURLICENSELIAM took the pocket at the 1/8, then was quarter-mover #1, made the top then yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and responded sharply when shown open ground. MUDVILLE raced uncovered from early on in the backstretch, came home in 55.2 and was still pacing strongly at the end. LINCOLN BOULEVARD was quarter-mover #2, made the top before the second turn, came home well but was outpaced. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN was second-over, gapped much of the last ¼. PARKLANE TERROR had a touch of pace finishing. ESAI HANOVER burst out to the front, saw two go by in quarter two, wasn’t keeping up going to the ¾. BETTORS AUTHORITY trailed throughout.
ELEVENTH RACE – WINDSUN GOTHAM made the top fairly easily, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, gapped some in the fast third quarter and through the turn, eased outside early stretch, up in the last step in a bang-bang-bang finish. FULL MOON BEACH pressed on to the lead at the ¼, slowed the half, then had to speed up dramatically to fend off the tough first-over, held until the final step while going his last half in 55.4. RIFLEMAN (who went his own last half in 54.4) was third-over, ducked inside on the turn and kept coming up the Pocono Pike, missed by a tiny margin. BETTOR BE OSCAR A was on the move at the 3/8, went his own third split in 26.4 pressing the stubborn leader, backed off in the last 1/8, but only a little. MIKIMOTO had fine cover second-over, couldn’t quite go enough in the stretch. WILSONS VINNER left well, stayed in, gapped. GONNAHAVEONEMORE was never close. BLACKLIGHT was going fourth-over from last when making a break entering the backstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – HURRIKANE WILLIE G kept going early and made the top just past the 1/8, had the field strung out despite a slow second quarter, then sprinted home nicely. HIP HOP GRACIE got an easy tuck third, moved outside just before the ¾, just along for second over BY A HOFF HANOVER. The latter seemed reluctant to yield early but then did so and sat in the two-hole, almost lasted for place. IDENTITY POLICE never moved. GROSETTO AS came out on the far turn but was outtrotted. DRY CREEK STALKER had the best view the whole way.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JACANA left sharply then yielded to the ¼ to sit the golden trip, to the Pocono Pike and had a good response when asked. GEORGIE was out most of the ¼ to gain command, backed off the half, not enough sprint late while maybe bearing out a little. PARTY LINE settled fourth at the 1/8, moved raw 11/16, couldn’t reach the top ones but beat out JAGGED LITTLE PILL for third. The latter got a forward position, not too much late. TREACHEROUS GIRL was directly behind the breaker at the half and never got back into contention. TWIN B BEACHDREAMS broke at the 3/16. TSM PRINCESS LEXI made a break at the ½ and was pulled up.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NEW NUMBER WHO DIS took control early, like most pacesetters this day got an easy second quarter, stayed strong for Matt Kakaley’s sixth. TSM ARTEMIS T raced up to the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close, second-best here. BET LIGHT scooted up the inside, gained between horses late. KIANNA got an early spot, came out raw early backstretch and went up to take on the winner, didn’t give ground until the stretch. NARINA HANOVER stayed in then angled wide and finished well. SWEET ROCKIN GIA was hampered by dull cover, went three-wide ¾ but didn’t reach. SHADOWNTHETWILIGHT looked to leave but took back, not heard from again. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT gapped second-over.
FIFTEENTH RACE – RANSOM DEMAND went enough to keep the early pocket closed then had a foe fill the 2-spot 5/16, attacked full-bore down the backstretch, got the lead but couldn’t go by on the turn, continued to slug it out until getting the nod at the wire. SADIQ HANOVER left with high speed and crossed right over, wouldn’t yield in 27.2 and got an outside foe in behind, rated Q2 while clear to the 5/8 then was really pressured by the winner, fought that one tooth-and-nail the rest of the way, very big outing. JK MUSICMAN left but was looped, did get into the pocket 5/16 but gapped the leader most of the way, third-best. SPIDER MAN HANOVER sat in, was blocked on the turn, came clear early stretch and gained a bit late. EXTRADITE N came up the inside for the distant last check. DO YA THINK was behind the gapping second-over cover of WAIMAC ATTACK N, wide on the turn, little. SIR GENE G HANOVER gapped.
Feb 24, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Never above freezing all day, with a cold stretch headwind often reflected in the fractions (the second half of the card saw the second quarters rated to a greater degree) … CAVIART MAX hustled up between horses going to turn one to get the early pocket, flushed out from third to the 5/8 and grinded well, gradually got by on the turn, the best in the opener. SUPER PAC HANOVER was third-over behind a late backstretch gapper, wide in the lane and closed very nicely. MARCO BEACH got the winner out to the 5/8, gapped a bit behind that one the last ¼, just caught for second. DREAM OF LUCK was three-wide to the 1/8, worked on to get the lead at the 3/8, challenged later in the backstretch, held on pretty well. WINNING IS SWEET left well from the rail, forced a tuck then finally yielded at the 3/8, no power left in the stretch. THE OTHER TWO were at the back throughout.
SECOND RACE – FRISKIE ALL NITE gapped in third early backstretch, moved uncovered 11/16 and gained nicely, had a tough foe to pass in ZANETTI but worked by while appearing a bit hard to steer. The latter defended the pocket then quarter-moved, went clear early in the backstretch and reached the ¾ in fast time, was challenged by the winner then suffered “b.e.,” did not give up the fight. REDBANK BLAZE A gapped in the third quarter, outside on the turn then inside in the stretch and finished very well to just miss second. BRAVO TEX N was far back on the far turn, went three-wide and was the best of the rest. CAPTAIN CASH stayed in, could offer little. CLOSING STATEMENT was outside with little. WAR-N-MUNN left between horses, looked to be taking back to third past the 1/8 when making a break. PARMESAN N was three-wide to the 3/16, made the front then yielded, gapped out from the ½.
THIRD RACE – HEARTLANDBANYSBRO cleared at the 1/8, then got to sit in the pocket behind all-out battlers for the lead, to the Pocono Pike, gradually along. BUSH MAN N yielded, was out before the ¼ to go to the lead, appeared to want to yield but then went on when the rival didn’t go by in a 27.4 second quarter into the wind, took the pressure from the favorite, finally did yield reluctantly to the winner. DREAMS ARE TRUE was third early, came on a quarter-move and was urged to clear but did not in that big second panel, kept up the battle to the wire. FERNADO gapped behind the top three, stayed in, was fair late. CARRACCI HANOVER moved out second-over but couldn’t reach his cover, was blindswitched, evenly late. JANAID was out behind gapping cover, went three-wide before the ¾ but couldn’t go enough.
FOURTH RACE – BEACH FIRE K was the only outside leaver, took the pocket at the 1/8, gapped in the second quarter then attacked raw not long into the backstretch, went on grinding and proved the best in here. PARKLANE JET quarter-moved, set the pace, looked a little tired midstretch and was caught. SPORTY DRAGON moved outside midturn and made up ground in a decelerating tempo. AIN’T IT FUN forced the winner to tuck then yielded for the pocket, had his chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make it. SPANISH ART gapped ¾. POINTSMAN moved out but had little to offer. VAGANOVA trailed.
FIFTH RACE – GO WEST GO FAST, looking hard to steer, left some, quarter-moved and strung out the field in quarter two, aided when the pocket horse broke on the turn, just had enough to hold together with 1:00.1 – 30.4 back fractions. LORD OF MISRULE was three-wide past the 1/8, took the early pocket 3/16, stayed in, benefitted greatly when the pocket horse broke, came out early stretch, battled on to the finish. CAROLINA MAGIC was last, benefitted from the outside confusion, to the Pocono Pike, outpaced. THE BUS A moved out 5/8, was shoved three-wide by the breaker on the far turn then had to go inside that one in the stretch, did well considering the bad racing luck he had. JUMPIN JACK FLASH followed cover, also was pushed three-deep far turn, couldn’t rally enough. CLASSIC PRO was between horses to the lead 3/16, yielded and was up tight in the pocket, got rammy in the hole ¾ and made a break midturn while bulling out, ran home.
SIXTH RACE – EUROBOND was content to trot three-wide past the 1/8, moved up after a foe tucked and made the lead off the first turn, stretched his lead through the last quarter in a big race. SOUTHWIND FROST retucked around a gapper down the back, moved out on the far turn, closed well. SWEET HEART AS defended early position, moved outside far turn, made second midstretch but couldn’t hold that position. TIMEFORM left well, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, started to unplug past the 5/8. SEVEN IRON left and was between horses, took a 4-tuck past the 1/8, never a factor thereafter. ZSA ZSA DABOR (off the gate) and KEYSTONE THUNDER were never close. MOSCONI HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – SPORTSKEEPER got the early pocket then was on the move before the ¼ to claim the top, had a clear lead from nearing the half all the way to early stretch, then had to be roused to withstand IC A FREE SPIRIT. The latter came off the rail 11/16, rallied steadily (although not into a quick tempo), came up a little shy. MCNULTY Z TAM was three-wide to the first turn to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, gapped in same the last half, distant third. DARK HORSE had some speed, stayed in and was blocked on the far turn, but didn’t have much late. LOVE YOURSELF came out with cover but didn’t gain.
EIGHTH RACE –BOUNTIFUL BRITNEY was looped, tucked at the 1/8, moved second-over into the second turn, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide raw ¾, proved to have the most. DAGON HANOVER sat in then came outside towards midturn, got in gear a bit too late, along for second over RED REDEMPTION. The latter put in a big first quarter, rated the half, had pressure throughout, held respectably. WORTHY OF HONOR was away enough to defend the pocket, tired in the last quarter. REAL MCCOY moved three-wide from fourth-over 5/8, couldn’t reach the winner’s cover. TRICKY DICK was rough behind the gate, never a factor. NIGHT FLYER K was underway 3/8 and wound up third-over, was blindswitched towards the ¾, didn’t have much. ADELANTE S took bad steps well before the start, recovered and rushed up towards the start, was stuck on the outside challenging, held fairly well until the ¾.
NINTH RACE – LYONS AMUSEMENTS was out 3/16 to make the top, didn’t have much pressure on the lead despite the parked favorite, won handily. THISJETSABOOKIN was first to command, yielded for the two-hole, moved out midturn and looked to threaten but didn’t have enough. CINNABAR DRAGON improved position at the start, gapped down the back while staying in, evenly. TREASURE MACH stayed inside, never factored. KILLER MARTINI came out at the half, was able to advance a little two-wide, got cover on the far turn but couldn’t sustain any gain. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS was three-wide early then tried to get the lead but was on a line badly (mostly on turns), never did make the top, bore out early backstretch and faded. ARTISTS RUFFLES was away last and fell far back.
TENTH RACE – WESTERN JOE gradually went up early, briefly went into the 3-hole before the 3/16 then quarter-moved, rated the half, then sprinted home in 55.2 – 27.3 (the last number into the wind) as tons the best. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO grabbed the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, unplugged ¾ but held well for a clear second. DANCIN DRAGON left and got a good forward spot, started gapping midturn, settled for third. IDEAL ARTILLERY stayed along the inside. SOUTHWIND OZZI spotted 3/16, then backed out second-over at the half, didn’t have lively cover, three-wide late turn and up for the final check. DO WORK SON never featured. CIGAR SMOKING TONY swung wide in the lane after trailing, not that much. AFLAME HANOVER was uncovered 3/8 from seventh but never headed the third-in horse before fading.
ELEVENTH RACE – DERECHO cleared easily to the lead, forced ALL CHEDDAR back in, got a very slow half, then had enough to roll on to the wire. PREMIER ROCKSTAR gapped in third to the 3/8, uncovered just past the 5/8, appeared to be tiring on the far turn but found much better steps in the stretch. ALL CHEDDAR took the early pocket, tried to move frontward 3/16 but rethought that strategy at the ¼, stayed in the two-hole, evenly. HAPPY CAMPER went second-over, three-wide to mid-far turn when it looked like the first-over was done, couldn’t gain late. SKYWAY BILLY never featured.
TWELFTH RACE – KENOGAMI COCO got to the top past the 3/16, got a breather in quarter two, fought off the first-over, then held gamely to edge out pocketsitter TWO AM. The latter was on the lead going to the first turn, yielded to sit second, gapped nearing the ¾ and through the turn, but did better late and just missed. MARION GONDOLIER came uncovered at the half and made a big challenge, lost a little ground gradually the last quarter. SPIRIT OF DEO was outside behind nonadvancing cover to the 3/4, went back inside midturn, evenly. ALTUS HANOVER gapped early, moved outside 11/16 but never got close. FOCUS POCUS trailed. SKY CASTLES had shown little before making a break in the lane.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MY FRISKIE BOY was outleft and tucked fourth, then came out before the 5/16 to take the lead under the wire the first time, not challenged until SEAL O’NEILL came on midstretch, had enough to down that foe. The latter was three-wide to the first bend, made the lead before the 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, came out in the lane, couldn’t quite reach but still a big mile at 35-1. LITTLEBITASWAGGER yielded, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, third-best. RYCROFT N was uncovered before the 5/8, gained cover past that station but lagged it, three-wide headstretch, a bit late. BASS PLAYER moved out raw just past the 5/8, but his bid was short-lived. MONEYORROSES gapped early, did not enter the picture. PICKLED PREACHER moved out from last but couldn’t get involved.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BOBBY K HILL was the only fast leaver, had his own way to the half, turned back a challenger and drew off much the best. MAJOR DESIRE started raw near the half and went up in 27 to contest the lead, dropped into the pocket ¾, left behind in the lane. BLOW A CLOUD N was away in the two-hole, couldn’t keep up in the fast third split, evenly. HOPETOBEFIRST couldn’t quite go enough. THE NEXT TWO were always far behind. YANKEE KEELER moved out just past the half but gapped out.
FIFTEENTH RACE – WON LAST FEELING tucked behind early dueling rivals, then quarter-moved, came home in 28 to ward off the railshooting GUINNESS PANIC. The latter refused to yield the front early, then did let the winner go by under a hold, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and finished well. BENSON BOYS N had to take back for the pocket to the 3/16, came out on the turn but couldn’t go with the top two while far ahead of the rest, who were all in a photo for minor honors. SHAMMA LAMMA left a big gap in the second quarter, moved outside down the backstretch but couldn’t offer much; LEAR SEELSTER had that one’s dull cover, never got close. SO SO DE VIE was well-placed but came up empty. WESTERN TYRANT was near the back throughout.
Feb 15, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Welcome back for the 2022 racing season here at The Downs! … A mild day for mid-February – 45o, no moisture, stretch headwind … WON LAST FEELING was outside behind cover leaving and tucked at the 1/8, pulled raw into turn two and grinded, kept going strongly and was a going-away winner. LYONS AMUSEMENTS pushed to the 1/8, yielded, quarter-moved, needed some encouragement to get by just past the 3/8, held the winner out with a quick third quarter, but couldn’t hold on to the lead. BLOW A CLOUD N was three-high to the 1/8, made the lead off the first turn, pushed the chalk a ways before yielding for the pocket, gapped a little in the fast third split, did better late. GUINNESS PANIC made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, stayed third-in, went to the Pocono Pike but bore in and was placed last for going inside pylons. WESTERN TYRANT was second-over, gapped behind the winner on the top but did better late. CLASSIFIED MATERIAL worked from third-over, not bad. DISMISSAL SLIP offered little. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN broke while last going into the second turn.
SECOND RACE – SHAMMA LAMMA got a good second-over trip, gapped cover slightly in the quick third panel but went on strongly when tipped three-deep midturn, gradually to the fore. RIFLEMAN came out at the 1/8, made the top going to the 3/8, had hard pressure down the back, held gamely for second over SADIQ HANOVER. The latter looped everybody leaving, yielded to sit the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, edged for second. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was looped early, got in fourth 3/16, started uncovered early on turn two, paced his third quarter in 27.1 raw challenging the lead, gradually backed off a little. EXTRADITE N left well, sat close-up, deep in the Pike but couldn’t gain. HULOU and TJ BLAST couldn’t do much off of cover. ROCK THREE TIMES was never prominent.
THIRD RACE – KENOGAMI COCO left well, made the lead at the ¼, yielded and sat the two-hole under a good hold, to the Pocono Pike and beat out MARION GONDOLIER. The latter let the outside ones go, was out before the ¼ but needed most of the frontstretch to clear, set the pace without a challenge until the stretch, overpowered by the pocket horse but still held well. MY LINDY WINNER moved off the rail 11/16 and finished steadily. ROSE RUN VINCENT made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, stayed in until the far turn then moved behind cover, ducked back in early stretch and finished evenly. TRICKY DICK gapped at a couple of points. ZOOMING trailed throughout.
FOURTH RACE – FULL MOON BEACH was four-wide heading to the first turn, then went behind cover 3/16, moved three-wide at the half to get to two-wide raw 5/8, grinded, drew away late in a very big mile. WAIMAC ATTACK N went to the lead and kept foes outside, challenged by the winner, not his equal late but well ahead of the rest. TOLLY-HO kept the pocket closed, moved out behind the winner midturn while looking to have pace, but broke approaching headstretch, regained stride and closed well to beat out the others; no reason for placing was found. KYUQUOT moved outside down the back, three-wide around the parked horse ¾ but never reached. MONEYORROSES left, was left out in the air, looped to the 5/8, didn’t fade badly. LUZIANA was behind a wall far turn, evenly. THE OTHER DUO were not prominent.
FIFTH RACE—SEVEN IRON made the lead at the 1/8, had the pace his own way, just enough to turn back WORTHY OF HONOR. The latter yielded at the 1/8 for the two-hole, stayed tight until going to the Pocono Pike, had his chance, came up just short. VOSS VOLO was uncovered early on the clubhouse turn, never reached the leader but continued on gamely. TEDDY BROSEVELT grabbed an early tuck fourth, backed out to second-over just past the 5/8, briefly blindswitched far turn, cleared and finished steadily. WINGS UP was last, widest in the lane and not bad. KEYSTONE SERGEANT moved with cover early backstretch, gapped letting a foe out, three-wide far turn, flattened. O JONNIE could offer little. CHECKMATE HILL gapped a little in the 3-hole most of the way, broke going to the deep Pike.
SIXTH RACE – BLACK CHEVRON N was between horses early and was looped, went on to take over just past the ¼, repulsed the first-over then stayed clear of BULLVILLE TERROR inside of him. The latter moved off the second turn and wound up second-over, slid into the pocket midturn as that spot’s former occupant faded, raced well. MUDVILLE was caught behind a tired horse on the far turn, got in gear midstretch to the inside and finished well. CAPTAIN DISOMMA was third-over, evenly. MAJOR OFFENSE was the innermost of three leavers, yielded, moved uncovered 5/8 and challenged, got a bit tired late. WILSONS VINNER was three-wide most of the 1/8 to loop to the lead, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, all done on the far turn. MIKIMOTO had some foot at the end after being last throughout.
SEVENTH RACE – MOON BRIDGE was three-wide early, made the front 3/16, got a breather to the half, was in control to the wire. CREWS HILLTOPPER moved raw 5/8, ducked in late far turn after the pocket horse broke, held for second over POWERFUL YIELD. The latter moved outside late in the backstretch, finished well. PRESIDENT was out between horses to the top before the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, broke in same just past midturn and was taken to the infield, ran home, placed last. ALEXANDER HANOVER got good early position, then struggled to keep close much of the rest of the way. ARCH CREDIT never surfaced. GINGER TREE KNOX moved outside but went backwards. STARDUST MEMORIES was last most of the way.
EIGHTH RACE – MY FRISKIE BOY would not surrender the early lead, rated to the half, then had a very long and tough challenge from DREAMS ARE TRUE, but kept him at bay. The latter was three-high almost to the 3/16 before taking back to fourth, went uncovered 5/8 and paced in 27.4 down the back to reach the leader, fought hard with him to the wire. SKYWAY BILLY stayed close early, was behind a tiring horse on the far turn, came clear early stretch and finished alertly. AIN’T IT FUN tried to get the early lead but went into the pocket at the 3/16, started to gap out ¾. ARTACHE HANOVER couldn’t stay with cover. YS SUNSHINE couldn’t reach his fast-moving cover. THE OTHER PAIR were never major dangers.
NINTH RACE – CASTYOURCROWN was outside early then tucked at the 1/8, moved out nearing the half but significantly gapped cover in the fast third quarter, better in the last ¼ (31) and three-wide headstretch, along. MOSCONI HANOVER worked up into the pocket at the 1/8, stayed connected throughout, to the Pocono Pike and got a brief short lead midstretch, outkicked. BANZAI AS kept position leaving, uncovered early on turn two and went 28 down the back to engage the lead in a fierce duel, held on pretty well. SEVEN KNIGHTS was behind bad cover, three-wide before the ¾, ducked in for the stretch and was OK. CHUCKY DE VIE left with high speed to the early lead, rated the half but then had to go another big quarter against the first-over, tired from early stretch. NOTMEITSYOU never factored; nor did FLY EAGLE FLY. NEWYORKBLUEBLOOD moved outside but gapped badly.
TENTH RACE – FRONTIER ROLLO pushed hard early, finally yielded but was quick on the retake, was in full control of this crew. BRAVO TEX N picked an early tuck fourth, came up the inside late and won a five-horse photo for the distant second. LORD OF MISRULE left between horses, took back to tuck third 3/16, angled out late turn and wide for the stretch, nipped for place. KEYSTONE STEAM was second-over but gapped cover, widest in the stretch and moving very well. LEAR SEELSTER lagged the early action, started uncovered on turn two and went up in 27.3 raw, got left behind by the winner but stayed in the scrap for minor honors. MAJOR DESIRE was three-wide for much of the 3/16 before taking the lead, yielded, pocket, left behind the last 3/16. ZIGGY SKY never got into it. SOCIAL THEORIES fell far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL left strongly and soon had an open lead, drew off again on the far turn, then was under mild coaxing to withstand TWO AM. The latter maintained the pocket while occasionally gapping as noted, raced well in the stretch. ALTUS HANOVER was uncovered off the second turn, went a very big mile. SWEET HEART AS spotted, went evenly late. ONEMORESWAN backed out on the far turn but couldn’t enter contention. COMMON PARLANCE made a couple of small breaks. NIGHT FLYER K was not a factor.
TWELFTH RACE – WESTERN JOE left between horses, didn’t take the pocket 3/16 and went on to the lead, strung out the field in a 29.3 second quarter, then left them gasping with a 54.2 last half, very impressive. WAR-N-MUNN was three-wide 3/16 to circle the winner, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close to the ¾, then finished well ahead of the rest. THE CANDYMAN CAN left and pushed, yielded, sat third, just edged the rest. GENTLEMANJIM II IE swung widest in the stretch and closed well. BEACH BLANKET BOOK gapped second-over, then three-wide midturn, so-so. CAPTAIN CASH actually paced his own third quarter in 26.3 while going uncovered but couldn’t make much of an inroad. REDBANK BLAZE A sat last most of the way. PATERNITY SUIT A raced inside, didn’t have much.
THIRTEENTH RACE – REAL MCCOY got around early trouble and settled third, gapped most of the middle half then gained on the turn outside and moved to contention, went right on by. KEEPER OF SECRETS was three-wide to the 3/16 to clear the inside breakers, got in gear 5/8 and followed the winner on the turn, had solid trot finishing. LADY RESORT AS quarter-moved from the pocket, set the pace, tired. BY A HOFF HANOVER worked to the early lead, relinquished and sat second, little in the last 1/8. SEARCHING FOR YOU was a bit off the gate then behind the first turn breakers, never entered into it. BRIGITTE BI was bothered towards the first turn when GROSETTO AS ran broke; both were far back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – WHITECOOKIE, not the best-gaited of horses, grinded up to take over 3/8, sped up enough to keep a challenger outside in a 27.1 third quarter, then drew away from these easily. BETTOR BE OSCAR A gapped to the far turn while inside, then was in gear, went four-wide in the stretch and finished nicely. TERRY A HANOVER took the innermost path and was along for a no-factor third. NOWHERE CREEK A tucked at the 1/8, came back out at the half then paced his backstretch in 26.4 raw to challenge, tired from those exertions. HEAVEN’S GAIT put a couple of leavers in behind him, let the winner go 3/8, gave way at the ¾. KEYSTONE PHOENIX took an early tuck, then was just a little off his cover second-over, three-wide headstretch but empty in the latter stages. MAURICE gapped third-over.
Oct 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Earlier rain caused the track to be rated “good +1” for the first four races, then a rerating to “fast +0” from the fifth on .. Warming temperatures … Stretch headwind late … STORMONT VENTNOR was underway from fourth before the ¼ to the lead 3/8, drew away before the ¾ and won like a 1-5 shot. BANZAI AS was uncovered from next-to-last off turn two, made a little progress, got cover ¾, wide in the lane and up for second in the last step. NICE STUFF gapped inside down the back then tightened in ¾, Pocono Pike, just edged for the deuce. DARTY left enough to protect the pocket, was blocked on the turn then came clear as the fading pocketsitter broke and went inside, so-so. LODI BANK ROBBER didn’t enter the picture. ARCH CREDIT left between horses and took third, moved outside ¾ but didn’t gain. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY gapped at the back. WINGS OF SPEED made the front going to curve one, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, began to unplug before the ¾, broke unsuccessfully trying to find more midturn and went to the centerfield.
SECOND RACE – WATCHWHATMYFEETDO rode second-over cover from past the half, three-wide past midturn, had the most kick late. STOWAWAY HANOVER went right to the lead, rated the second split then sped up in the third, almost lasted to the line. TRAFFIC JAM sat in third, blocked late far turn, to the Pocono Pike, some response. LITTLE SANDY TOES moved raw towards turn two, never really attacked the leader but held on OK. VELOCITY MCSWEETS was third-over, had belated pace. NATCHEZ BELLE left and settled into the pocket 3/16, was having trouble keeping close the last 5/16. MACH OF SHAME gapped at the back throughout; came back with “b.e.”
THIRD RACE – DIVINE MOONSHINE made the lead before the 1/8 in by far the fastest ¼ of the race, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, came out late turn and whooshed right by. OK SUNNY quarter-moved, set the pace at a non-taxing clip, but still could do little about the winner; stayed for second. AMBERS CHAMPION went out for the early pocket, inside, clear in the lane, high-lined to maintain third. GLOBAL DESIGN S was second-over at the half, swung wide for the stretch, so-so. TRINITY HANOVER was first-up at the half but never got close enough to be a major danger. BUCKET HEAD offered little. OLLIE EL broke 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – TRICK CARD secured the early pocket and waited, outside early stretch and closed in tandem with I AM GOLDEN to the far inside, just edged that one. The latter sat third on the rail, ducked right to the Pocono Pike and was just edged out. RUN ONEOVER N pulled past the ¼ to follow the parked horse, three-wide 11/16 to get two-wide far turn, best of the rest in a good mile. STATESMAN N went right to the lead, rated the half then sped up, drew clear around the far turn, but tired. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was looped early and took back, not inside until past the ¼, angled wide before midstretch and had some finishing kick. SAULSBROOK LANNY was outside behind cover near the back early, went up uncovered when his cover finally got in, went a good third quarter then had no more left. GRANTOR HANOVER was never prominent. CALVERY HILL was two-wide with little.
FIFTH RACE – In the sunshine now, track rerated to “fast +0” … JULA SILVER STATE tucked third, came raw 11/16, gradually grinded up and raced hard to be up in the shadow of the wire. UNMISTAKABLE was away second, moved 3/16 to gain control just after the ¼, had things her own way, held well in a long duel. RELENTLESS JACKIE left for 1/8 command, yielded for the pocket, not quite as good as the first two but better than the rest. MR TEE moved outside on the turn but did not gain. SURE BIRD was so-so to finish in a DH5 with SNICKERS BLUE CHIP. The latter broke 50 yards before the start, caught the back of the field and made a decent recovery – and everybody got a purse check.
SIXTH RACE – CAPTAINS MAID was three-wide early, dropped down behind cover then went on 3/16 while under no rush, on top before the 3/8, came home in 56 – 27.4 to hold her only challenger, BULLVILLEKARLA safely off under high-lining. The latter went out, induced a tuck, yielded to the winner and stayed close, outside late turn, raced well behind a very good horse. MADAME LEZA A left, took the early pocket 3/16, couldn’t stay with the top two late backstretch despite urging, a very distant third. MORE THAN KUTE gapped inside. MY CAM GIRL came raw 5/8 but couldn’t make much of an impact. HURRICANESKY was outside with little. NEW NUMBER WHO DIS gapped.
SEVENTH RACE – EVANNA left three-wide to get the lead at the 1/8, saw an early rival break, went on at a fast clip, had an open lead early stretch but went to a run, moved inside but galloped home, placed last for violation of the breaking rules. BELLA AVA sat in the two-hole, started to get loose ¾, looked like she was going to be second when the leader ran, placed first. CHOCOTURE spotted third, moved outside 11/16, finished decently. BARNEY MAC sat in, gapped on the turn, not bothered late by the breaking horse, evenly. O JONNIE was far back most of the way, finished gaining as the pace slowed. FLY EAGLE FLY never factored. CRITICAL MASS and SIX BAX were far back throughout. ETRA DE VIE left four-wide, was two-wide contending for early position when breaking 3/16, caught the field but then broke before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – Stretch headwind starting to kick in … APEX SEELSTER had some speed, then worked out a dream second-over trip, uncovered late turn, wore down MAKE SOME WAVES. The latter took the early pocket at the 1/8, vacated third 9/16 and pressed the leader, got by that one late on the turn, held very well. STOP ACTION was behind a dull third-horse, three-wide and closing nicely for the distant third. SETTLEMOIR was three-deep to the 1/8, didn’t make the lead until near the 3/8 but did get a slowed second quarter, had pressure come to him, not enough to resist it. VAGANOVA spotted midpack, then gapped great cover while third-over. LUZIANA never featured. THE BUS A was out behind an excess of cover and didn’t reach. SI SEMALU went to the front, yielded to the 3/8, caught behind the tiring leader on the turn but was empty late.
NINTH RACE – CHIPLOSIVE was on top 3/16, never threatened, drew clear in the last ¼. TUIS SHADOW stayed a connected third, outside midturn shortly before the pocket horse broke, then a clear second. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was behind the gapping BUTTER TOFFEE, outside into the far turn, just nipped that one for third. BROOKVIEW BLUTO was in front to the first bend, yielded for the two-hole, got a bit loose far turn and broke nearing headstretch. THE OTHER TWO were beginning to lose contact before the half.
TENTH RACE – BELIEVER got an early spot and waited in fourth until the ¾, moved up around the turn and trotted right on by in the lane. SEVEN IRON went wide for early command, saw two go by in quarter two, backed out behind the winner past midturn and was a clear second. BULLY BOY was quickly in gear late first turn and rushed to the lead, set a fast pace stringing out the field a long way, but was laboring late. NAMJE moved from second to the lead then let a foe go and sat the two-hole, loose down the back behind a fast ¾, Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain back ground. SCHNICKEL FRITZ moved outside but gapped. ANDOVERS TOUCH was off the gate and never a factor. STOP RESISTIN broke w-a-y before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – IMAGINEUWITHOUTME moved from fourth crisply near the ¼ and went right to the top, opened up a big lead 5/8 and coasted home much the best. FRANKIE ROCKS A was second-over, gapped down the back but better on the turn, wide off same and edged JEREMES GENERAL for second. The latter was in front at the 1/8, yielded past the ¼, stuck third-in down the back and around the turn, got clearance in the Pocono Pike, fair speed. LAREDO TORPEDO N went into the three-hole past the 1/8, moved back raw at the ½ but could do little more than form a “wedge” next to an equally-struggling pocketsitter much of the last half. SPORTY DRAGON, last most of the way, got the last check. HIGHVIEW CONALL N did not make his presence felt. HALF A BILLION was outside with little. LITTLE ADMIRAL, wide early, went to the lead just past a 26.4 quarter, yielded for the pocket, fell further and further back the last half.
TWELFTH RACE – JODY was four-wide early, dropped down to two-wide with cover and then into a hole to the 3/16, brushed 3/8 and made the lead at the half, got pressure on the far turn, but was up to all challenges. ARNIE’S ANGEL spotted, then quarter-moved to 3/8 command, yielded at the half, raced steadily behind a good winner. DELILAH DE VIE came from midpack at the half, didn’t make much of a dent down the back but was better in the last quarter. ROSE RUN VANTAGE used the rail well to control the ¼, saw two go by in quarter two, looked to be in tight quarters nearing the wire. GRANT ME THIS was three-wide early, raced up to the early pocket, inside, didn’t have much response late. A CRAFTY LADY was behind a gapper in the second quarter, then moved third-over, didn’t reach. JERICHO DIVA was second-over, gapped mid-far turn. BRING ME DIAMONDS and LILY GRACE never surfaced.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was three-wide early in going to the lead, yielded to the looped horse to sit the pocket, outside late turn, more than enough to defeat BATTING STATS. The latter was kept in by a dull outer flow, outside midturn and narrowed in in the diminishing tempo. BLAZING TRAIL was looped between horses early, worked to the top 3/8 and set the pace, no answer for the winner but held creditably. MUAY HANOVER advanced inside. KEYSTONE THUNDER moved out in the lane but couldn’t offer enough. FINAL DREAM left and yielded, started struggling at the 5/8. DAYTONA DREAMIN came uncovered but never gained. SKYWAY JAGUAR had dull cover, also never in the hunt.
Oct 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the low 50s … Late rain would turn the surface to “good +1” for race 12 and then “sloppy +1” for the last two races … SWEET N FAST N was three-wide leaving and got the pocket in the 26 opener, vacated same 11/16 and went right by the pacesetter, able to drew clear late. BOBBY DAZZLER went up raw off two turn, briefly three-wide before the ¾ to not lose momentum as a horse pulled, two-wide challenging on the turn, second-best. MAJOR DESIRE got position mid-first turn, evenly to be next-best. DAAMERICANSKY was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 3/16, made the top at the ¼ in a hot number, continued to ramble on, passed ¾ and tired. DREAM OF LUCK moved two-wide but gapped. AMERICAN CHROME had some speed, no factor late. LOUD SPLASH gapped at the back.
SECOND RACE – PALOMAR left well to clear 3/16, stayed in charge, drew away coming the last half in 55. MUSCLE MACH A left well enough to defend the pocket, couldn’t keep up on the far turn, photoed CLAYTONS BETTOR N for second. The latter left and spotted, sat in, to the Pocono Pike, a bit of late pace. BULLVILLE TERROR came out raw towards the 5/8, didn’t threaten but held on fairly well. BILBO HANOVER didn’t make his presence felt. DIVISION BELL came outside into turn two, got cover towards the 5/8, but didn’t close much. BLACKLIGHT was near the back throughout. ROLL WITH TIME gapped third-over.
THIRD RACE – ARTISTS RUFFLES moved second-over, three-wide late on the turn, wide and just edged everybody. ALEX TYE went on to command 3/16, yielded to the 3/8, pocket, Pocono Pike, just outkicked. WALTER MITTY sat in then backed out third-over past the ¾, angled widest midstretch and finished well. SULLIVAN was on the move from third before the ¼, took over before the 3/8, kept going fast, held well. THE CANDYMAN CAN was first to the top, yielded, stayed in third, went to the deep Pike, gained well midstretch, then may have been in too-tight quarters, did break just before the wire, placed. BRAVO TEX N moved grinding at the half, hung in there well.
FOURTH RACE – CHUCKY DE VIE backed off early, stayed in, angled off the pylons late turn and wider early stretch, just up to grab the DH1 with CONSUS VICTORY. The latter left to the lead then yielded to sit in the two-hole, shuffled a bit as the first-over went by on the turn (only to break), then went to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, caught for the tie in the last step. LIGHTFOOTED LEGEND went on to the lead past the 1/8, rated the half then sped up to try to keep the first-over outside, had lost the lead but kept the foe outside when that one ran headstretch and thus was given a second life, held pretty well. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK backed out to second-over ¾ when the original second-over ran, gapped the first-over on the turn, not bad. FRAC made no moves. VOSS VOLO started slowly, moved second-over but gapped in the fast third split, broke 11/16. MAJESTIC MARVEL was first-up into the second bend, went 27.3 down the back to take the lead early on the far turn, couldn’t quite clear inside, then broke turning for home.
FIFTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT was between horses leaving, crossed over then yielded off the first turn, right back out for the retake and went fast fractions, handled confidently late. BLOW A CLOUD N kept the opposition three-deep much of the opener then yielded, sat third, came to the pocket when the pocketsitter pulled but did not gain, up the Pocono Pike, gained some but didn’t really menace. HYPNOTICDREAM was locked in far back at the ¾, came up the inside for the very distant third. PEMBROKE JOEY offered little. TITANIUM N couldn’t get into the hunt. CAVIART MAX was three-wide 3/16 then went to the lead off the first turn, yielded for the two-hole, came out 11/16 but went backwards, drifted wider in the lane. PARKLANE JET moved uncovered towards the half but never got close.
SIXTH RACE – DING DING DINGER controlled this from the beginning to the end, opening a big lead down the backstretch, then under urging late to stay clear. MAJOR OFFENSE moved second-over behind non-helpful cover 5/8, three-wide to late turn, along for second. KILLER MARTINI gapped early then narrowed in, was third-over, four-wide in the stretch and had good if belated pace. DIALAMARA came out raw 5/8 from behind the gapper but only managed to go evenly along with that one. BARON MICHAEL left, was able to tuck in the pocket off the first turn, couldn’t keep up the last half. LORD OF MISRULE was too far back. TOATSMYGOATS gapped, offered little. KJ OWEN moved outside but never reached.
SEVENTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST made the lead at the 1/8, yielded to sit a two-hole, eased out headstretch and went right by to win in fast time. SOMEBEACH BARON set the pace with two moves and rolled right along, lasted for second. REGAL SON had some cover leaving, went up and tucked third 3/16, pulled out 5/8, didn’t get close enough to the leader to pin the winner in, but paced steadily to the line. BELLOWS BINGE swung four-wide in the stretch and finished with speed. CINNAMACK came off the rail ¾ but soon ducked back in, not a major factor. TJ BLAST gapped at points, also never a major player.
EIGHTH RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-high to turn one and on top past the 1/8, was very strong on the engine throughout and won very easily. SORTIE gapped a bit early backstretch then found a better gear 11/16 and moved out, along for a clear second. GRAPPLE HANOVER stayed inside, avoided trouble, a distant third. MOON BRIDGE inherited the pocket at the ¼, stayed close until the ¾ then unplugged. BANK BOX TREASURE moved outside but could not gain. KATKIN MORGAN was no factor near the back. MASSIVE OPULENCE was inside, not keeping up when breaking an 1/8 out of a mile out. TWO AM got the early lead, yielded, broke off the first turn and was taken inside, developed a problem and was pulled up.
NINTH RACE – SPORTS TEEN got an early spot, moved after a fast quarter to the lead 3/8, opened a big lead soon after the half, stayed in control. FEHERTY was three-wide to the 1/8, forced to take a tuck at the ¼, moved 5/8 after the pocketsitter gapped, retucked in the two-hole ¾, gave honest chase all the way home. WILSONS VINNER was on top by the 1/8, retained the stick in a 26.2 opener then did yield for the pocket, gapped when the winner sped up early backstretch, managed to hold on to third over JANAID. The latter sat in until moving outside in the lane, almost up for the show. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE moved outside but just clogged a tier. SO SO DE VIE had to go four-wide around dull wide foes and had no chance. NIGHT EXPLORER moved behind cover but was soon left behind.
TENTH RACE – As a light rain began to fall … KING ALPHONSO went to the lead, hung a foe to the 3/8 then sat perfectly-placed behind a 55.4 middle-half duel, to the Pocono Pike, just overhauled the resilient leader RICH AND MISERABLE. The latter gradually worked his way to the front 3/8, kept up a very fast pace with a challenger right at him from just before the half, dug in very gamely to the finish. BALDAQUIN moved second-over 11/16, three-wide midturn, narrowed in steadily. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT did OK in a fast mile. MARION GONDOLIER was three-wide with cover on the far turn, couldn’t reach. JUST MAYBE THE ONE, rough-gaited both times on the upper turn, moved uncovered as soon as the place horse cleared and tried to brush to the top but was left raw in a 55.4 middle half, paid for that hard usage in the last 3/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – PICKLED PREACHER moved at the ¼, urged to get by before turn two in a fast half, kept up the speed down the back, drew clear despite a slackening pace. MAC ANOVER went up between horses to 1/8 command, soon yielded, sat in, edged out past the 5/8 but soon went back in, up the inside and was a no-factor second. RHP went on to command past the 1/8, pushed the brushing winner to almost the second turn then sat the pocket, outside late turn but did not gain. GONNAHAVEOMEMORE gapped both inside and outside, went back in on the turn, found room between horses and gained as the tempo slowed. MOVE THE LINE did not have good cover, three-wide turn, not all that much. ROCK THREE TIMES had little after an inside trip. LEAR SEELSTER trailed.
TWELFTH RACE – Track now downgraded to “good +1” … ARTACHE HANOVER took over control past the 1/8, slowed the half , had a horse come to him late backstretch but didn’t have to pick up the tempo, then picked it up to the tune of 27.1 to draw away. ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN was second-over, three-wide late turn, beat out the rest. POINTSMAN was forwardly-placed, came out 5/8 and challenged the leader, was shaken off but held OK. SPORTSMANSHIP was in front to turn one then yielded for the two-hole, struggled the last 1/8. MILITARY MASTER A was third-over, fair late. SKYWAY BILLY didn’t enter the picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Track downgraded again to “sloppy +1” … SIMPLY VOLO left and went into the early pocket 3/16, vacated the pegs to go raw 5/8 and challenged in a decent pace under these conditions, went by on the turn and drew clear, didn’t want much more late but got the job done. CAN’T SAY NO left for the lead, yielded to a brusher and sat the two-hole, moved out midturn as the winner went by the pacesetter, found his best strides a bit too late (or was it the slowing pace?). THISISSHE gapped early, swung wide and was moving very well late. CREWS HILLTOPPER did not have good cover, OK late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT moved second-over but gapped, ducked inside, not too much on the end. ARCHIBALD was on the move before the ¼ to go up to get the lead, went on at a decent clip, got pressure 11/16, fell back in the last quarter.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN CASH had the early lead, pushed the brusher a bit before yielding for the two-hole, squeezed out midturn before the sweeper could drop down to two-wide, drew away. Four-way battle for second: STATEMENT MADE A was third-over, swept three-wide heading to the far turn, finished steadily to take second. HORSE left, went into the early pocket past the 1/8, gapped third-in down the back, but then could rerally some to miss second only by a bit. JK MUSICMAN was looped, took a hole at the 1/8, then was underway again nearing the ¼ to be on top 3/8, couldn’t maintain his margin. P L MUNSON followed the sweeper, had kick on the end. SHAMMA LAMMA was inside, didn’t get a call. ATTA BOY DAN was first-up to the half, never reached the leaders and fell back. CAMWOOD was second-over, blindswitched from past the 11/16, little late.
