Oct 25, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Cool, with a strong stretch headwind … WHAT A DAME was looped, shunned a two-tuck to go on to the lead going to the 3/8, drew clear off turn two as the pocketsitter gave way, saw SPIT AND VINEGAR narrow in in the last quarter but held that one at bay. SPIT AND VINEGAR wound up uncovered down the back as a horse tucked into the vacant pocket, herself got a two-hole tuck ¾, gained some inside but had to settle for second. QUICKEST HANOVER was never close, outperformed the others. VINYASA pulled early backstretch to retuck in the two-hole, but then couldn’t keep up. CHOCOLATE MATTERS offered little. MASSIVE MATTER, not on the gate, broke in last at the half. TUFF TO BE LINDY left to the lead before turn one, yielded 5/16, started gapping out soon after the half then broke.
SECOND RACE – NUMBER ONE HIT went right to the lead, backed off the half, came home in 55.1 and needed to to defeat OHARE HANOVER. The latter used the rail to defend the pocket, stayed tight, went to the Pocono Pike and did very well. ALMANAC took back early to tuck fourth, moved second-over, three-wide before headstretch and found his best steps a little too late. BULLVILLE JONATHAN came first-over before the 5/8 and went 27.1 with the wind to challenge the leader, couldn’t sustain in the stretch. BOLTMAN moved third-over, didn’t have much so went back inside in front of a gapper, so-so late. THE REMAINING FOUR stayed in and had no influence on the outcome of this race.
THIRD RACE – BJORNSSON made the front into turn one, pushed the favorite most of the length of the frontstretch before yielding for the pocket, outside midturn and went by in a matter of steps, drew away. GOLDEN GLIDER moved out off the first turn, ranged up to command before the second turn, got a breather down the back, but had no answer for the winner, held second. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE moved outside ¾ and outfooted A ONE A for third. The latter had early speed, but then gapped most of the way from the ¼, so-so. MATS PALEMA was third-wide early, backed off to tuck third but then ran approaching the ¼. ZETTE FLAME miscued before turn two.
FOURTH RACE – SOME KINDA ANGEL moved just before the ¼ as an outside horse came up, went to the lead to the 3/8, went a hot third split trying to keep the first-over out but could not, but doggedly stayed on and caught that one late. PERFECT QUEEN came uncovered in a big hurry down the backstretch, went 26.4 all-out and cleared the winner before midturn, but the big move took its toll late. CHERISH HANOVER was out with cover off the top two when forced wide around the inside trouble, ducked to the inside and recovered well to be third ahead of SOUTHWIND MOLLY. The latter was outside down the back well off the front two, probably the least affected by the breaker, couldn’t quite get third. CAVIART LIZZIE and ALWAYS B SOMEWHERE were not in contention when having to go wide far turn. CHILLIN BY THE POOL was looped early and outside, briefly had cover from the winner nearing the ¼, broke 5/16, caught the back of the pack then was pushed wide. LIFELUVN YANKEE circled the field early, yielded to the winner in front of the stands, couldn’t keep up in the backstretch duel, broke ¾ and affected all but the leaders.
FIFTH RACE – SENNA moved from third just before the ¼ and got the lead, had an easy time of it. BIG BEN HANOVER had some gate jet, went along evenly until coming out midturn when the pocketsitter gapped, clear second. MR TEE followed along, just up for third over TSM PRINCE TRISTAN. The latter rushed past the field to the first turn, yielded for the pocket, stayed connected until the ¾. SURE BIRD gapped at the back of the main pack. KING KENNY lost his gait before the ¼.
SIXTH RACE – ALMOST KAREN was three-wide early, tucked third, quarter-moved to command just past the 3/8, drew away easily. KISSINYOUGOODBYE gave a good blast towards the first turn to take over control of the stick, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, didn’t gain in the lane but held second. BYGONE HANOVER moved uncovered off the second turn and grinded up, held well while far ahead of the others. SWEET HELLO had some early speed, no factor thereafter. HAZEL PARK moved early, got cover into the backstretch but gapped it at the other end of the backstraight; BETTE TINA was third-over in the two-wide lane but also couldn’t do enough. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was four-wide early, cleared down to two-wide and tucked before the ¼, not much in the last quarter. THE OTHER PAIR were off the main radar.
SEVENTH RACE – LITTLE PINK LIES yielded and was content to sit the pocket at 1-20, outside nearing headstretch and went by without being asked. BUTTERFLY FACE S left for command before the 3/16, rated the half then sprinted down the back, no match for the winner but better than the others. RUFFLE MY TRUFFLES sat third, gapped as the pace increased down the back, then got tighter then faded some in the lane. MONEY MATTERS was second-over behind non-progressing cover, wide and had some kick late. SAYONARA ANGEL stayed semi-connected and got the last payday. BANK BREAKS got a 4-tuck at the 1/8, moved again raw 5/8 but could make little headway. YOUNG MICHELLE never factored. TSM EMILIA S was well off the gate and never close. BETTER SINCE broke early in the race.
EIGHTH RACE — DIVINE RIGHT moved uncovered 5/8 and went up quickly to challenge the leader, pulled away in the lane with twin 28.1s coming home. ADAYONTHEBAY moved outside 3/16 to the lead before the 3/8 and rated the half, pulled away from all but the winner on the far turn, tired but did hold second. ROPE THAT MOON was away well, yielded before the 3/8 for the pocket, didn’t stay with the top two on the turn, evenly inside stretch and almost second. CAVIART RICHMOND gapped at a few points, had some late pace. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO left and took the early pocket into the first turn, inside, urged but couldn’t respond. DARIO HANOVER had no say in this.
NINTH RACE – BY A HOFF HANOVER took command early, rated the half then sprinted down the back to a huge lead that he only added to late. COMEONOVER HANOVER tucked third past the 1/8, moved out far turn after the winner had gotten away, up for second. SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN was far back, wide in the stretch and finished willingly. FATHER OF IRELAND stayed inside, didn’t have much. COMMAND THE MARKET moved outside far turn but didn’t gain. MR BLUMETTI charged through and defended the pocket, lost ground to the leader throughout the last half. JOE EXOTIC broke early and then bothered a foe, caught the field but couldn’t get into the main action, placed. KAACHING KAACHING broke next to the other breaker, then was further bothered.
TENTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was last, outside to the ¾, hit high gear after his cover broke midturn, angled wide and picked up embattled foes. BIPBOPNALLIE defended the pocket until the 3/8 then saw the parked horse get in, retucked around a gapper, himself gapped around the far turn, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch, but involvement in the wild fractions caught up to him. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE laid off the cutthroat half, was first to move down the backstretch and retucked in the pocket, outside midturn but couldn’t go forward much. ACTOR HANOVER set sail from the rail, parked a foe, kept on marching in hot fractions, tired. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was outside then left uncovered while far back ¾, broke trying to gain more. MANKAT left, had to stay out in the air until getting the two-hole past the 3/8 in speedy numbers, faded down the backstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – ONE AFTER NINE slid in fourth past the 1/8 behind the early battlers, then quarter-moved to control the throttle, proved much the best in here. LOVE THIS BAR was three-wide to the 1/8, pressed on to gain the lead past a fast quarter then yielded to the winner, not in that one’s league but a clear second. PRACTICAL CAT had early speed, came back uncovered before the 5/8, third-best in a decent outing. HALL IT OFF was two-wide to the 1/8 to the lead, yielded past the ¼, sat in then backed out to second-over before the ¾ but didn’t gain. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS was shuffled, three-wide around the far turn and was along for the last check. GROSSETO AS and STORM BRINGER were two-wide to no effect. PAINT BY NUMBERS was always far back. HURRIKANE WILLIE G left well but was caught four-wide towards turn one, wrangled back to tuck before the 3/8, inside, broke on the far turn.
TWELFTH RACE — NUTTINBUTHEBEST went straight to the front, rated the second quarter, then paced home in 56 – 27.4 as much the best. AILEY HANOVER kept up pretty well in the pocket and was far ahead of the others. CHEEKIE BABE slid in fourth at the 3/16, came out early stretch and just caught TSM PRINCESS LEXI for show. The latter was well-placed but didn’t have too much late. BEACH BALLSY was three-wide early, wrestled to a midpack tuck late on the first turn, on the move again raw 3/8, got to the rump of the pocket horse but no closer. IMONABEACH HANOVER did not have dynamic cover while second-over, three-wide far turn, didn’t enter into it. MAKE A SCENE was off the gate and gapped at the back. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was a bit rank when moved third-over, fell back considerably in the stretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BIG NUDGE came out to follow the parked horse past the 3/8, three-wide soon off the second turn to get to two-wide and quickly to the lead 11/16, ran away and hid. SO LONG HANOVER got a forward spot, stayed in past the 3/8 and was badly shuffled, had to wait for the Pocono Pike long after the winner was gone, along for second. DAGON HANOVER followed the cover of the winner, left uncovered before the 3/4 after trotting in about 27 down the back, flattened a little. TRICKY DICK was three-wide late backstretch well off the lead, picked up the rest. AP HALL OF TRIX was never prominent. WORTHY OF HONOR got to the lead past the 1/8, had constant pressure, fell back in the stretch. BANG BANG BOINGA was looped early, went up to challenge but could not clear and was outside, looped 11/16. RED REDEMPTION yielded to sit the pocket, appeared to be contemplating backing outside on the turn but ran, to the infield. DIVINE SPIRIT miscued early.
FOURTEENTH RACE – PHILOSOPHIZER moved uncovered just before the half then picked up cover, gapped it down the back but then got closer, wide in the stretch and had the most late for the sixth win of the day for driver Tyler Buter. COUNTER OFFER yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, never had the lead but was along for second. BETTORS AUTHORITY went in fourth past the 1/8, raw at the half and challenged, held OK. MESSIER SEELSTER got to the front, rated the half, then came under pressure, couldn’t sustain the advantage. ROSA’S REBEL was third-over, wide in the lane, didn’t gain. SEND IT IN JEROME was shuffled to last, widest and moving well at the wire. MY BOY JACK sat in third, could offer little late. OCTAVE never was heard from.
Oct 23, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Only in the lower 50s throughout the card … JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE went right to the lead and set a wild pace for these even in midsummer, had NAMJE tighten in in the pocket from the ¾, fought head-to-head with that one before holding on in a 32 kicker after the hot numbers. The latter yielded, gapped though staying reasonably close then gaining from the ¾, outside stretch, just lacked the needed kick late. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK was last in a different area code most of the race, in a blindswitch headstretch and along between horses for a very distant third. LODI BANK ROBBER swung wide on the far turn and almost made third. BATTING STATS was left uncovered down the back, evenly. NICE STUFF tucked, then took back for a tuck, moved and retucked fourth down the back, little thereafter. ROSE RUN RUDI was away third, left a big gap from the 3/8. MEADOWBRANCH RUDY was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked in, was not keeping up by the 3/8.
SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind in earnest … MILADY DENVER A left between horses and got the early pocket, came out late turn, grinded past VELOCITY MCSWEETS in the last step. The latter was three-wide early, got the lead past the 1/8, set the pace, barely beaten in a good race. MOVE OVER SIS got forward position, stayed in for the stretch, couldn’t gain. MORE THAN KUTE moved off the rail with cover late turn, couldn’t gain. HURRIKANESKY and RHYME N ROLL both gapped before the half, had a private race for fifth which the former won. MY CAM GIRL, looking a bit hard to handle, went uncovered into turn two, started to back up before the ¾.TRUSSED UP TRUDY misbehaved right at the start.
THIRD RACE – TIPSY BARTENDER wound up in the pocket early, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8 and had a clear lead thereafter, then crushed them with a :28.4 last quarter against the wind. FORTUNAPEDIA was widest of the leavers, saw one break and went on to command 1/8, yielded in front of the stands, soon was loose in the pocket, held for the very remote second. RELENTLESS JACKIE was between horses leaving, broke, caught the field by the ¼, outside with stagnant cover, uncovered on the turn, made a very good recovery to get third. AMBERS CHAMPION stayed semi-connected, not enough for a major minor award late. OK SUNNY was uncovered into turn two, retucked fourth ¾, little thereafter. BRUTAL APOLOGY was gapping before the half. DIVINE MOONSHINE broke w-a-y before the start. TART OF MY HEART broke an 1/8 before the start, recovered and cut the pack only to run again at the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – DARTH FADER was three-wide to the 1/8 then cleared to the lead 3/16, had an open lead much of the last half, was faltering late (29.4 last quarter) but was kept going to the wire. I AM GOLDEN was second-over from last behind not-great cover, wide in the stretch and finished nicely. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME used the rail to enough advantage to maintain the pocket, went loose before the 5/8, came back a little in the slowing tempo. FRANKIE ROCKS A moved raw off the second turn, never got close to the leader. CALVERY HILL left between horses then tucked just past the 1/8, little late. BAYONET lost contact with the field.
FIFTH RACE – Six within a half length at the wire is usually a sign of a diminishing pace … CIRCLE OF LIFE AS went up between horses on a slight delay, made the lead past a quick quarter and also put up a quick half, then came home in 1:01.3 but held off the onrushing masses. PHANTOM RUSTY got the top early, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, room inside the leader in the stretch, argued with that one to the line. LATOKA was second-over, three-wide late turn, gained but not quite enough. FASHION WINNER was three-wide to the 3/16, took a tuck past the ¼, underway again raw to the 5/8, went up and challenged the leader around the turn, held well after a hard journey. EVANNA was third-over, four-wide stretch and gained as the pace diminished. NOBLE WARRAWEE was third-in, room deep in the Pocono Pike, not off by much – but no check. PRAYERS DO MATTER never factored. ONE FANCY KID broke at the half. MONEY MAVEN was off the gate and never improved.
SIXTH RACE –Wind shifting to a stretch tailwind … OURLITTLEGENERAL A tucked fourth past the 1/8, then gradually closed in while third after a foe broke near the ¼, outside and three-wide past midturn, paced away. BIG MACH, a bit rank early, retucked around a gapper late in the backstretch, made up enough ground to get the nod over VAGANOVA for second. The latter took control 3/16, went on at a pretty good clip, tired in the lane. SI SEMALU was first to show, yielded for the pocket, moved outside midturn but could not advance despite urging, went back inside late turn, not too much. THE BUS A couldn’t offer much. BETTORS HOPE left a big gap before the 5/8. PAY LATER was never a factor. OUTRAGEOUS STORY was third 3/16 when making a break and going to the infield.
SEVENTH RACE – JOEY PRO was three-wide early, secured the lead at the 1/8, drew away the last 3/8. BANZAI AS moved uncovered 5/8, kept on going well to be well ahead of the remainder. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN moved out and soon got cover but gapped it, distant best of the others. BUTTER TOFFEE couldn’t keep up the last ¼. ALLY WAY CAST yielded for the pocket, was running on fumes the last 3/8. SIX BAX was never close. VITANI AS broke at the half.
EIGHTH RACE – URBAN RENEWAL got a forward spot early, moved 11/16, challenged, went by and won in control. APEX SEELSTER was behind the winner, gapped before the ¾ then closer following his cover on the turn, good to be second far ahead of the rest. MAKE SOME WAVES was between horses while wide early, tucked fifth, gapped the front four on the turn, then angled out early stretch and picked up the pacesetter and pocketsitter. SONG CYCLE SENESE came through in a big group of leavers, went to the lead, got a rival to tuck, set a good pace, had nothing left in the stretch. HOW ARE YEE JOHN left wide, got the two-hole past the 1/8, kept up, also had no gain in the lane. THE OTHER FOUR were in the back throughout and never had a say in this.
NINTH RACE – SCHNICKEL FRITZ was first on the front, yielded for the two-hole, moved outside past midturn, went by early stretch, gamely able to take the win here as the pace slowed. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT went uncovered past the 11/16, got cover on the turn, wide, kept coming but just missed. ARCH CREDIT sat third-in, got to the pocket and the Pocono Pike, had a chance inside, just short. PUERTO RICO moved out far turn, OK. WATKINS went evenly. GEMOLOGIST went to the lead at the 1/8, set the pace, passed shortly into the stretch and faded. KISS ON FIRE AS broke at the start.
TENTH RACE – Wind all but calm … LOVELY DONNA sat fourth until the 11/16, then hit a very high gear quickly and had collared the leader before headstretch, drew away. SHOULDABEENATD sat third, out behind the winner midturn, in gear late to be along for second. BETALADY pushed early then yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough kick. MAJOR OCCASION A went to the top at the 1/8, set the pace as she pleased, was overwhelmed by the move of the winner on the turn, so-so late. THE OTHER DUO sat at the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – ADRIANO HANOVER was unhurried early, on the move into turn two and paced 27.2 down the back to challenge the leader, finally worked by that stubborn one in midstretch. NIALL HANOVER was three-deep to 1/8 command, rolled on the lead, held well until very late. LITTLE ADMIRAL was on front to turn one, yielded, two-hole, Pocono Pike, so-so. BRINGITONHOME N got early position, was hustled to get out to follow the winner late backstretch but gapped. LAREDO TORPEDO N moved behind the winner to the half but was soon gapping. THE OTHER TWOSOME never were in the hunt.
TWELFTH RACE – LITTLE SANDY TOES left between horses and landed in the pocket, a little loose in the two-hole throughout, to the Pocono Pike and just caught RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP on the money. The latter was three-wide towards turn one to command past the 1/8, set the pace, just outsprinted. CAPTAINS MAID moved second-over, found her best strides midstretch and was doing well late. WATCHWHATMYFEETDO came uncovered to the 5/8, got to the leader’s wheel at the ¾ but no closer, kept digging to the line. BULLVILLEKARLA couldn’t make her presence felt; nor could LITTLE HONEYBADGER. MADAME LEZA A had gate speed, started to gap at the half, a gap which, after tightening briefly 5/8, grew bigger in the last ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO was three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide and needed until the 3/8 to clear, immediately had the parked horse come at him but managed to keep him outside in the fast fractions, drew clear after a lot of energy use. CHOCO CHARLIE came on the move at the half to follow the parked horse, three-wide midturn, closed well and a clear second. KEYSTONE THUNDER left, couldn’t clear the pole horse so took a tuck past the 1/8, stayed in the pocket, gapped the last 3/16. STOP RESISTIN wound up third-over, three-wide with cover midturn, not enough kick. BELIEVER was four-wide early then ducked behind cover, lost that 3/8 so went up to challenge hard, had a ¾ of a length lead past the 5/8 but was not allowed to clear by the winner, inevitably had to pay a price but went a big mile. THE BACK DUO never entered the picture.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DELISHKA N was four-wide early and looped, grinded to the front 3/8 and got a breather to the half, picked it up down the back as the first-over came up, in control in the last quarter. A CRAFTY LADY moved out on the second turn, came up raw in 27.1 to challenge the winner, not in her league but game to maintain second. DELILAH DE VIE followed the place horse, three-wide in the stretch, almost second. ARNIE’S ANGEL was third-over in the good outer flow, not bad late. GRANT ME THIS went to the early lead, yielded to the 3/16, inside, shuffled a little headstretch, but not that much once clear. DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL was not a major presence. WIGGLE DELIGHT went wide but was too far back. TRAFFIC JAM never factored. KAITLYN N was five-wide towards the first turn, three-wide towards the 1/8 and got the lead, yielded to the 3/8, found the early effort catching up to her ¾.
Oct 20, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A warmish day for mid-October in the mountains to start: “fast +0” races 1-4; it rained hard during the fifth race, causing the track to be “sloppy +1” from the fifth race on, and temperatures would drop after the rain came through … Stretch headwind … MAJOR DESIRE protected the pocket early, considered a quarter-move but retreated, then came full-bore at the half and paced down the back in 26.2 to open a good lead, saw others catching up but held to the wire. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was away quickly for the lead, yielded past the 26.2 opener, backed out as the winner brushed past 5/8 and was in a new pocket to the ¾, outside stretch, very good mile. LINCOLN JAMES gapped early, outside and followed cover 5/8, left uncovered ¾, went on well to the line. MUSCLE MACH A came all the way up the inside to be next. CLASSY HILL wasn’t keeping up with the deposed leader ¾ then outside, not that much. LEAR SEELSTER gapped both inside and outside. HULOU was used to clear past the fast opener, held no defense against the backstretch brusher, faded.
SECOND RACE – CAPTAIN CASH used the rail to maximum advantage, set the pace, lost all but one in a 26.3 third quarter, and then was safe over the pocketsitter despite giving some ground very late. JK MUSICMAN was away well to land the two-hole, stuck with the winner throughout, not quite enough to go by but far ahead of the rest. BELLOWS BINGE left well wide but soon took back and tucked fifth, stayed in and was stuck behind a gapping one, out in a blindswitch late turn, between horses for third. WAGON MASTER was uncovered at the half but never reached the front pair, ducked in for the stretch, next. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N was second-over, three-wide midturn, evenly. SO SO DE VIE had cover but had too far to come. BLACKLIGHT went around the gapping ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN before the half; neither were factors. PATERNITY SUIT A landed the 3-hole early, started to gap out 5/8 despite urging.
THIRD RACE – RIVER OTTER burst out to the lead, went fast odd-numbered quarters with the wind establishing a commanding lead, tired and bore out a bit in the stretch but had enough to get to the wire first. ZLATAN worked up to the pocket 3/16, loose of the leader most of the way, went inside of the winner in the lane and gained some ground. SWANCREDIT sat third, gapped a gapper, next. CASH FOR GOLD was never prominent; nor was MUAY HANOVER. ZOOMING came uncovered at the half but never got close. INVINCIBLE had a slow start, then broke past the 5/16.
FOURTH RACE – DAAMERICANSKY was another who went fast with the wind, to get to the lead then to open a safe margin, not troubled at the end. BARON MICHAEL was wide leaving, took back to a midpack tuck, stayed inside and went up the Pocono Pike to be a non-threatening second. FEHERTY was two-wide, went to the pegs fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over at the half, wasn’t helped when cover tired on the turn and had to go three-wide, moving well late. SPORTS TEEN was off the front two early, started raw at the half, made a bid into the quick third split but then tired. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was looking to move outside at the half but made a break; DIALAMARA, right behind, suffered an “ix”; BLOW A CLOUD N was pushed very wide; and PICKLED PREACHER ducked inside the trouble inside the pegs; all those involved in this incident were effectively taken out of the race.
FIFTH RACE – This is the race where it rained hard, and the track was rerated to “sloppy +1” … MR HOUDINI had good cover second-over, three-wide late turn, and had the most trot coming home. THISISSHE was uncovered soon off the second turn, applied steady pressure, gamely to the wire. MAJESTIC MARVEL was out until the 3/16 for the lead, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, so-so response. CIMERONKEN was first to show but took a balky step early, settled then took back, moved outside midturn, finishing decently wide. CREWS HILLTOPPER was underway before the quarter to control the throttle and rated the half, was pressured, didn’t have enough to last to the line. FRAC offered little.
SIXTH RACE – IMAROCNROLLEGEND N dashed to the top, pushed a brusher a bit then yielded for the pocket, outside to headstretch and sailed by to make George Napolitano Jr. the 26th driver to reach $100,000,000 in career driving earnings. KEYSTONE PHOENIX moved at the quarter, had to be chased a little to clear before the second turn, strung most of the field out until the far turn, had to settle for second. STATEMENT MADE A got the early pocket, then sat third-in, angled out early stretch but didn’t gain. BULLVILLE TERROR went evenly inside. SHAMMA LAMMA went wide in the stretch and had some pace. P L MUNSON moved outside from far back down the back, gained some, evenly. MAJOR OFFENSE was gapping before the ¼, never in it.
SEVENTH RACE – ATTA BOY DAN left under urging, as did the horse to his right, and got the lead because of track geometry, rolled down the back, then stayed clear of the opposition. PARKLANE JET was second-over 11/16, gapped then was better the later they got on the turn, wide and closed nicely. MAC ANOVER wanted the lead but backed off past the 1/8, just failed to hold second. MOVE THE LINE went evenly. BEACH FIRE K was uncovered 5/8 and grinded, backed off the last 1/8. ROCK THREE TIMES gapped at the back.
EIGHTH RACE – KING ALPHONSO was between horses leaving, pressed on well past a fast opener to get the lead, dashed a bit clear on the turn, successfully dealt with those narrowing in late. HOCKEY HANOVER tucked fourth behind the three early battlers, moved uncovered at the half, grinded up, kept on coming late in a game performance. MARION GONDOLIER was behind dull cover and moved three-wide ¾, gained through the last quarter nicely (even if it was in only 30). MISS MC KEE was three-wide to the 3/16 then backed off to tuck third, moved outside ¾, briefly blindswitched, got clear, OK. GRAPPLE HANOVER was inside, paused briefly when a horse made a break past midturn, but didn’t gain thereafter. ENZIO was outside with cover that he could not reach most of the last half. SORTIE broke moving out second-over before the half. ARCHIBALD was innermost among the three early fighters, finally yielded to the 3/8, struggled to stay close from before the 5/8, broke midturn and went inside the pylons.
NINTH RACE – SCOOTNROLL was away well for a midpack tuck, moved first-over and gradually advanced putting pressure on the leader, got a small advantage on the turn, proved the best with a 54.2 last half raw. GOOD ROCKIN had a good second-over journey, didn’t have the speed of the winner on the turn, along for second late. IM A GIGOLO N pressed on to get the lead past a 26.3 opener, rated the half then had to step it up as the winner came calling, held OK. NUTCRACKER SWEET left well, yielded after a fast quarter, slightly shuffled late turn, but then not all that much when finding the Pocono Pike. BILLY BADGER N passed the others for the last check while never a factor. BAY MEADOWS stayed up-close early, then began to back off 5/8. CAMWOOD was gapping early and was not ever a contender.
TENTH RACE—AMIGO VOLO was on top before turn one, made a foe work past a good opener to clear, then immediately retook, got a very moderate middle half, then came home in 27.4 into the wind in total control. EUROBOND went up to get the lead past the ¼, yielded for the pocket, no match for the winner, held second well. GHOSTINTHESHELL S protected the pocket early, sat third, couldn’t make up last ground. PATRIARCH HANOVER was uncovered 11/16, gained a bit then flattened out. MYSTICAL WYNN couldn’t go with these. RICH AND MISERABLE was last when breaking 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – AMERICAN REBEL initially sat in then backed out to third-over 9/16, followed advancing cover, four-wide headstretch, finished solidly (in a slowing last quarter) to just catch INDIGO ART. The latter got a good second-over trip, three-wide late turn, made the lead midstretch, just nipped by the late flyer. STELLAR BB was away nicely, made the lead 3/16, yielded to the retaker for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not quite enough kick late. ARTISTS RUFFLES started grinding to the half, never really looked the leader in the eye until headstretch, carried on gamely. THE CANDYMAN CAN set the pace with two moves, rated the half, but then couldn’t sustain the lead. SULLIVAN was third-in, spent most of the stretch angling wide looking for clearance, had pace at the end. BABES DIG ME and LORD OF MISRULE weren’t far back at the end but never were major players.
TWELFTH RACE – ALEX TYE started raw towards turn two, went in 27 down the back, battled the leader head-to-head the last quarter and got the decision. REGAL SON was parked past the ¼ to get the lead, set wind-appropriate fractions, held very gamely. BENJI’S BEST was third-over, wide late turn, next one home. WALTER MITTY was second-over but gapped a bit and was blindswitched, evenly in the path behind the winner. TJ BLAST left, took the pocket at the 1/8, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. WHITE HAIR ROCKS sat in, spent the upper stretch angling wide and finished quickest of all. BOBBY DAZZLER left very well, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed close, came up empty in the stretch. SOMEBEACH BARON did not enter the main picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GANGSTER HANOVER gradually worked up to 5/16 command, came home in 56.2 and was far ahead from the 5/8. THE LIONKING AS flashed good speed to clear nearing the first turn, kept the winner out to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, clear second. JUST MAYBE THE ONE left and got a forward spot, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. SOUTHWIND FROST sat in, won fourth in a photo over MAX. The latter came uncovered off turn two but made little headway in the fast third quarter, evenly. KENOGAMI COCO gapped second-over. MACMORRIS HANOVER and TWO AM were never close. LUCKY MATTER broke just past the start, recovered, but broke again before the ¾.
Oct 18, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Card opens with a slight stretch headwind … WORLDSSTONECOLD AS made the lead, had outside challengers fill the holes behind him as the pocket horse broke past the ¼, rated the half, no problem the last half. JOE EXOTIC was up to challenge for the lead then took the pocket just past the ¼, sat close, not enough in the lane but clearly second. VINCENTI went second-over, three-wide late turn, along for third over COMMAND THE MARKET, who hugged the inside then didn’t show that much late. FATHER OF IRELAND avoided trouble and got the last check. MR BLUMETTI looked to leave but took back, then third-over, couldn’t rally enough. FASHION ON A STAR was three-wide to the 3/16, dropped down behind cover, got a 3-tuck past the 3/16, came again raw down the back, but faltered in the last quarter. ENDYMION came through well past the start and was protecting the pocket just past the ¼ when breaking, possibly because of a dislodged pylon on the track near the area of the break.
SECOND RACE – BETTORS AUTHORITY made the early lead, yielded to the favorite past the ¼ and sat the golden journey, moved out near headstretch as the first-over broke, sailed right on by. COUNTER OFFER went in fifth at the 3/16, backed out to be second-over, went inside far turn, up the Pocono Pike and got second. INTENTIONS got in gear at the 1/8 and grabbed the front past the ¼, set fractions a she pleased, came up short at crunch time. RAGE THE MOON, last much of the way, went wide around the other stragglers. DARLA HANOVER backed out to third-over but had little to offer. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO was boxed in behind a sluggish one much of the last half, Pocono Pike, not too much. DUSTUP HANOVER left and tucked second, couldn’t keep up the last 3/8. ROSA’S REBEL was uncovered going into the second turn, came a long way raw and had gotten to the pocketsitter’s flank when running late turn.
THIRD RACE – ONE AFTER NINE had the early pocket then quarter-moved, set a good pace and drew away from these. PRACTICAL CAT went to early command, yielded to sit in the pocket, saved second late over MELANIA. The latter was two-wide on the second turn but needed until almost to the ¾ to get to a gear enabling her to gain, three-wide late turn, finished steadily. STORM BRINGER gapped the last half. SHADRACK HANOVER ducked inside an early breaker and tucked third, came back out at the half, got up to the leader’s saddlepad before the ¾, then gradually ran out of gas. CHARMING BANK was never a factor. HALL IT OFF broke coming off turn two. DANZON HANOVER made a mistake as the field swung off the turn before the start. TUFF TO BE LINDY was vying for the early lead when making a break.
FOURTH RACE – DIGNITY HANOVER, a bit rank behind the gate, was content to trail in the main group, swung outside and wide, caught SAYONARA ANGEL late. The latter spotted, moved outside midturn, had the lead past early stretch, almost lasted to the line. I’M HAPPY HANOVER moved 3/16 to control the throttle 5/16, rated the half, didn’t have enough late. YOUNG MICHELLE went right to the lead, yielded for the two-hole and stayed connected, Pocono Pike, not too much. LADY’S REWARD lost stride at the start.
FIFTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was three-wide to the 1/8 and to the lead, never let up in an overpowering victory. NUMBER ONE HILL was between horses to the early pocket, stayed close until the stretch, clear of the rest. BOLTMAN had early speed and yielded to the outer pair, not too much in the lane but did retain third. LINDYSALWAYSTHINKN was uncovered at the half, almost got even with the pocket horse late backstretch, but then gave ground in the last 1/8. BULLVILLE JONATHAN stayed inside and got the last check. SIX DEGREES moved out second-over, three-wide as cover faltered, bore out some early stretch and didn’t make up ground. ARRHYTHMIC SURGE dangled outside midpack before fading. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
SIXTH RACE – VINYASA tucked third at the 1/8, moved outside 11/16 to challenge ¾, took over entering the stretch, then urged to hold off MYREANNA. The latter got to the lead, yielded before the 1/4, sat in, advanced when the pocketsitter broke on the turn, came up the Pocono Pike to just miss. MISS MAYTRIX was outside, not helped by sluggish then breaking cover, had some late trot. B FLOVER stayed back early then got in gear at the 1/8, needed almost to the second turn to clear though in pedestrian fractions, just came up empty late. BUCKET HEAD never featured. LILYBET was parked 3/16 before taking over, strung a brusher that far and more before yielding for the pocket, looking to stay close when going to a break midturn and was taken wide. KOKOMO was second-over but gapping before breaking far turn. CARAMELA HANOVER was offstride at the start.
SEVENTH RACE – DAGON HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8 and challenged, went right by on the turn, finished nicely. WORTHY OF HONOR was away quickly for command, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, backed out behind the winner past midturn, a clear second once RED REDEMPTION broke. The latter sat in, angled wide into the stretch, was gaining but went to a run midstretch, placed. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was away second in the lineup-minus-one, moved to the lead 3/8, challenged on the far turn and gave way. ME TOO BABY stayed in, blocked on the turn, not too much once free. TRICKY DICK went uncovered off turn two, got to second-over but gapped. ABOVE THE CLOUDS never made the main radar.
EIGHTH RACE – OHARE HANOVER got early position, moved uncovered before the half and went up blazing to the lead just past the 5/8 while covering his third quarter in 26.2, drew away. TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was parked with cover until the 3/16, then moved on to get the lead before the 3/8, surrendered without a fight to the winner, was kept alive and had a clear advantage in second. SEND IT IN JEROME was behind decaying cover, ducked inside for the stretch and beat out a couple for third. MY BOY JACK was kept out past the 3/16 before making the lead, then inside until slipping out to track cover 11/16, wide, couldn’t make up more ground. MOHAWK SEELSTER followed the winner but couldn’t go with that one 5/8 and was left raw, dropped back. A SHORE LEGACY gapped inside. MESSIER SEELSTER was gapping by the half. OCTAVE lost contact.
NINTH RACE – COACH K HANOVER came out of third into turn two uncovered, trotted in 27.4 down the back to gain an insurmountable lead. BACKSTREET PLAYER was looped, pressed on to take over at the ¼, yielded to the winner without a fight past the 5/8, was a clear second. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE inherited third-in 5/8 but gapped. BIG BEN HANOVER was out behind struggling cover, went between horses in the lane, not that much. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP followed the winner out but was soon gapping then left uncovered, had little. ZETTE FURY left well to take over early, yielded at the ¼, broke 5/8 looking to keep up and was taken inside the pylons. UNLEASH THE TITAN broke in last.
TENTH RACE – Blanket finish with horses coming from everywhere … BIPBOPNALLIE gapped about eight lengths off the top quartet and the hot pace just past the half, urged late backstretch, found more pace on the turn, swung wide, proved the best of seven in a 29.4 last quarter. HURRIKANE EMPEROR tucked third, moved into turn two after the pacesetter rebuffed the first challenger, made the front at the half and kept up the very quick pace to the ¾, tiring but held dead game to the last steps. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was three-wide leaving, went into the early pocket, tried to quarter-move but rethought that as the winner sped up, stayed in until late on the turn, stayed in the thick of it to the line. ACTOR HANOVER took command early, refused to let the first brusher go then yielded at the half, to the Pocono Pike, a half-step shy. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE was last, came all the way up the inside with good pace (in a 29.4 last quarter) to miss less than a length. MANKAT tucked, sat in, angled out early stretch but was unsuccessful in finding a clear path. BETTOR NOT TALK was out behind dull cover far back, three-wide ¾, gained steadily as the tempo slowed. LOTTERY WINNER came out off the second turn looking to clear a gapper (who would be the winner) but never made much progress.
ELEVENTH RACE – SHIPNSTROL HANOVER quarter-moved from fourth to the lead just past the 3/8, went off to a clear lead on the turn and into the stretch, then survived the late burst of PERFECT QUEEN. The latter moved second-over, three-wide late turn, found her best kick late and was quickly narrowing in. KISSINYOUGOODBYE was fastest away, yielded to the winner for the pocket, gave a little ground the last 3/16. BETTE TINA tucked third at the 1/8, moved uncovered to the 5/8, didn’t menace but did OK. SOUTHWIND MOLLY went evenly. BETTING HANNAH went outside ¾ but couldn’t get into the main hunt. SWEET HELLO was three-wide leaving, took the early pocket just past the 1/8, stayed in, backed up in the last quarter. IN A DAZE lost contact past the half.
TWELFTH RACE – BALDAQUIN yielded and sit ready in the pocket, exploded when shown the Pocono Pike and won handily. BIG NUDGE spotted around slow starters, then was first-over at the half, went 27.3 down the back to put high heat on the leader, never had the lead but stayed very game to the wire. KATKIN MORGAN sat in, angled out before midstretch, then hit a high gear and closed strongly. SO LONG HANOVER was in front at the 1/8, slowed the half, then was under pressure not far past the 5/8, couldn’t sustain. DIVINE SPIRIT was second-over but gapped 5/8. CAVIART EMMA did not contend.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SOME KIND ANGEL made two speed moves to control the throttle, put these away for good with a 27.4 third quarter, unthreatened. BYGONE HANOVER started grinding at the half, never got close but kept on trying and took second late. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was three-wide to the first turn then went in front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, loose late backstretch, so-so late. HAZEL PARK gapped second-over, evenly. BETTER BID HANOVER had some early speed, sat in, but didn’t have much late. THE OTHERS were well off the checkgetters the second half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SPIT AND VINEGAR was three-wide early to a tuck at the 1/8, moved out behind the pocket horse on the turn then swung wide in early stretch, closed steadily to get the decision at $214.60, biggest win price of the 2021 Pocono season. FAWN DE TOUCH stayed in, gapped down the back then got tighter ¾, went all the way up to the pocket late turn and then to the Pocono Pike, briefly had the lead, just failed to hold on to it. FINLANDIA sat the pocket journey, came out late turn, just a bit shy. PAINT BY NUMBERS was in front at the 1/8, didn’t have pressure on the lead, tired. CHOCOLATE MATTERS stayed in, went evenly for the last check. WHAT A DAME had dull cover, not all that far off. QUICKEST HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field and went uncovered at the ¼, stayed midfield raw, pretty good recovery. DESTINY BLUE CHIP backed out to follow cover, wide, too far back. KISS AN ANGEL, off the gate, gapped at the ½, broke past midturn.
Oct 16, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – MEADOWBROOK FLASH was uncovered into turn two, got to retuck in the pocket past the 5/8, came out again midturn, paced gamely late to be up in the opener. DARK HORSE made two speed moves and set a pretty good pace, held the lead until very late. DARTH FADER tucked third 3/16, backed out behind the winner 5/8, left raw then got to tuck in third before the ¾, stayed along the inside and did OK. I AM GOLDEN and CALVARY HILL went inside of cover which drifted out in the backstretch, up for the last two checks. TRICK CARD never featured. GRANTOR HANOVER gapped, then was stuck behind a tired horse on the turn. REGAL HOPE made the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, started backing out of same 5/8. CODE MEISTER was directly out behind the winner’s cover, gapped off the second turn then drifted wide and fell far back.
SECOND RACE – UPTOWN LADY N was uncovered into turn two, paced 27 down the back to clear ¾, enough in reserve to withstand BRING ME DIAMONDS. The latter made the top at the 1/8, yielded 3/16, slipped out from third-in to second-over 11/16, to the pocket midturn, chased after the winner gamely while bearing out some. DELILAH DE VIE was in the outside flow, gapped it past the ¾, clear third. ARNIE’S ANGEL backed out to the two-wide tier, never got close. RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP left for forward positioning, in, shuffled then outside late turn, finished OK. GINGER TREE CAREY was outside 3/16 to secure command, had a parked foe brush by past the half, then was shuffled out of it to the ¾ and beyond. A CRAFTY LADY was outside midpack early then got in gear near the ¼, challenged for the lead and took over past the half, but was tired before the ¾. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
THIRD RACE – KAREN’S LADY was underway going into the second bend and soon got cover, three-wide late turn, ran down the leader midstretch then held off the closing OK SUNNY. The latter got away slowly, third-over, three-wide far turn slightly off the winner, finished steadily. DIVINE MOONSHINE worked up to the lead 3/16, was clear from past the ¼ until the 5/8 then got pressure, turned for home on the lead but couldn’t sustain. TSM EMILIA T sat in, shuffled a bit then out in a blindswitch headstretch, followed the path the winner took in the lane. FORTUNAPEDIA went ahead going to turn one, yielded 3/16, a bit loose in the pocket the rest of the way. AMBERS CHAMPION was not a factor here. SUNSEEKER HANOVER made a delayed early move and tucked fourth 3/16, sent up raw to the half, challenged but tired the last 1/8. TIPSY BARTENDER made a break while last at the half, did well to catch the back of the field.
FOURTH RACE – FRANKIE ROCKS A wound up in the pocket, loose most of the way to the 11/16 then narrowed in, outside headstretch and went right on by. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was the only quick lever, set the pace without much pressure, couldn’t go as much as the winner late, clear of the rest. SAULSBOOK LANNY was outside midpack early, gradually worked his way a little close while out in the air, held remarkably well. JEREMES GENERAL took back past the start and was never again prominent. PAY LATER came up the Pocono Pike for the last check. A WISH FOR WINGS never factored, CHANCELLORCULLEN N moved out third-over but didn’t get in the picture. HALF A BILLION followed the parked horse and advanced, three-wide headstretch but with little late.
FIFTH RACE – LILY GRACE left and gained command at the 1/8, had an easy time of it. MADAME LEZA A came uncovered at the 5/8, far-back second ahead of the rest. TSM ARTEMIS T followed cover and was third. MORE THAN KUTE looked to leave but took back, stayed in, shuffled badly far turn then was clear in the stretch as the fader was taken inside the pylons, not too much late. MOVE OVER SIS went around a gapper and got the last check; BEAM M W was that gapper. IDEAL IN CASH left and defended the pocket, stayed close to the ¾ then backed off, developed a problem and was taken to the infield headstretch.
SIXTH RACE – A fluctuating wind was a little more a stretch tailwind here … ANDOVERS TOUCH was between horses to the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch, enough to hold off YANKEE GIRLFRIEND. The latter moved second-over before the 5/8, three-wide to headstretch, narrowed in well (though the pace was considerably slower late). WINGS OF SPEED was three-wide to the 1/8 and then in front 3/16, strung out the field to a fast half, couldn’t make his advantage stand to the wire. SWISS HONEY moved uncovered 9/16, kept up a one-gear effort to the wire. BARNEY MAC gapped third-over, then came on for the last check. O JONNIE was never close. PHANTOM RUSTY gapped inside past the 5/8. WILLIAM STAR pushed to the 1/8, yielded, seemed to be struggling to keep up the last half and eventually gapped.
SEVENTH RACE – ADRIANO HANOVER was away last, had cover second-over, three-wide ¾ and circled to two-wide midturn to the lead headstretch, drew away. SPORTSMANSHIP was the innermost of the hard leavers and yielded, inside, moved outside into a blindswitch late turn, came on between horses for second. BRINGITONHOME was wide leaving to the top then relinquished for the pocket, saw the winner get away while waiting for the Pocono Pike, just missed second. LAREDO TORPEDO N was in the middle of a gaggle of leavers, looped, proceeded up to the lead 5/16, rated the half, came under attack on the far turn, fell back. BIG MACH moved out with cover, couldn’t stay with the three-wide move of the winner, OK. TOPVILLE CRUISER offered little. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was five-wide leaving and three-wide just past the 1/8, where he took back to tuck, came raw again on the second turn, grinded, left behind in the last ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – The stretch tailwind has strengthened … MASSIVE OPULENCE moved third-over, gapped cover most of the backstretch then closer nearing the far turn, swing four-wide headstretch, still fifth midstretch but had the most late. CREWS HILLTOPPER made two speed moves, fought off a stern challenge from the first-over, held gamely to win a four-way picture for the deuce. TEDDY BROSVELT moved with good cover second-over, three-wide headstretch, steadily but outtrotted. KEYSTONE THUNDER went to early command, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, fair. CLASSICALITY tucked in fourth past the 1/8, then moved again uncovered towards the half, battled the pacesetter hard, held well. MARVELOUSTRIX sat in, shuffled on the turn then out in a blindswitch, had no clear stretch path. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO left and got third at the 1/8, not much the last 3/16. KEYSTONE SERGEANT couldn’t make up ground from last.
NINTH RACE – TW LAUXMONT left and forced tucks from similarly-minded horses outside him, had the field strung out behind him much of the way, bore out badly in the 30.3 last quarter but still held it together for the win. KISS ON FIRE AS tucked third going to the first turn, didn’t move again until late on the turn, went inside the drifting winner and finished well. CHOCOTURE went out between horses and secured the pocket, urged ¾ as the winner opened distance, so-so inside late. LODI BANK ROBBER was back in a group well off the top three down the back, three-wide ¾ and finished very well. FASHION WINNER was gapping before the half. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE came out past the half but couldn’t get close. LAKEVIEW TAMMY was never in it.
TENTH RACE – WARRAWEE UBEAUT, a 2018 Breeders Crown champion here, went up to take the pocket past the 1/8, sat behind slow (for these) fractions, took to the Pocono Pike and had a 27 last quarter in her to take the victory. SHES PUKKA N dashed away to control the pace as she pleased, held off all but the inside sprinter. CRAZY CUTE had to circle a bad gapper at the half, moved out ¾ and charged home with typical determination. SWEET LUCY LOU didn’t hold the pocket past the 1/8 and gapped a little until late backstretch, then didn’t have enough sprint in the dash home. BOLT OF BEAUTY circled the gapper, then was second-over, not enough. BYE BYE FELICIA was being tapped past the ¼ with no response, had a problem and was pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – GRANT ME THIS moved out raw 9/16 but caught cover 5/8, three-wide midturn, wore down CASIE’S BELIEVER late. The latter took over early, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, came out 5/8 and challenged hard, had the lead but not the inside around the turn, just failed to get the job done. VELOCITY MCSWEETS was four-wide early, went up two-wide to 3/16 command, saw the pocketsitter pull 5/8 and had to battle that one, tired. WATCHWHATMYFEETDO stayed connected, went to the pocket to the ¾, evenly late. YES DOUBLE DOWN got the last check after never being a major factor. LITTLE SANDY TOES tried to leave but took back, gapped at several midrace points. BULLVILLEKARLA never reached; nor did ELM GROVE MADDY.
TWELFTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN backed out to follow cover into turn two, lost cover off that bend, tucked third 5/8, outside midturn and wide in the lane, along late. SCHNICKEL FRITZ yielded to sit the two-hole, outside past midturn, made the lead in the lane, tried hard but came up just short. WATKINS left and was outside just past the 1/8 to get control, rolled right along, tired before midstretch. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT joined the over flow at the half, retucked fourth late backstretch, stayed inside, not prominent. BUTTER TOFFEE never got a call. MISS VET HANOVER before just before the start, recovered and went up uncovered 3/8, but broke again at the half. ALLY WAY CAST had trouble keeping up most of the way. INVINCIBLE jumped early.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DIVISION BELL stayed fourth-in, had clearance early stretch and angled wide, exploded in the last 1/16 with sharp speed. ATTA BOY DAN was looped, got to the front at the ¼, didn’t have much pressure on the lead, just couldn’t handle the sharp closing punch of the winner. HYPNOTICDREAM was buried in behind the winner, charged in the deep Pocono Pike after that one angled outside, finished well. SI SEMALU stayed in, had room in the Pike but was outkicked. SONG CYCLE SENESE was three-wide to the 1/8 then took over, yielded to a looped foe and sat the pocket, came out headstretch but didn’t have much to offer. SETTLEMOIR was stuck behind moribund cover. APEX SEELSTER went uncovered 3/8, gained slowly to the 11/16, then stopped gaining. VAGANOVA was second-over, three-wide to the ¾ but just clogged that tier. DEERFIELD BEACH was a bit hard to put in a hole early, never factored.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NAMJE was third early then quarter-moved and rated the ½, handled fairly confidently late for a neck winner. JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead, got a looped foe to tuck, then yielded to the winner to sit in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, gained incrementally, didn’t get there. BANZAI AS, a little off the gate, swung three-wide from third-over ¾, along for third. ARCH CREDIT was looped leaving and took the pocket 3/16, stayed in, had room inside in the stretch, so-so. ROSE RUN RUDI was shuffled, swung wide, closed with some trot. BATTING STATS was second-over, blindswitched ¾ through the turn and into the stretch, then could angle in and had some trot left. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK went uncovered towards turn two, made a bid, tired in the stretch. CELEBRITY MASERATI gapped at the back.
Oct 14, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – DAAMERICANSKY, continuing his rejuvenated form, made the lead 3/16 and headed right down the road, held off DING DING DINGER with the mildest of encouragement. The latter left well then yielded for the pocket 3/16, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, tried hard but just couldn’t get there. BLOW A CLOUD N was three-wide leaving, tucked back fourth, uncovered down the backstretch, urged ¾, neither gained not lost ground late. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN followed good cover second-over, three-wide late turn, had closing speed. AMERICAN CHROME kept a hole closed at the 1/8, sat third-in, room inside, not that much. LORD OF MISRULE was last-in, gained in very tight quarters near the line. SWEET N FAST N moved to third-over 5/8, four-wide nearing the stretch, couldn’t make up the needed ground.
SECOND RACE – THE LIONKING AS was first to show three-wide, but took back to tuck third, was reserved off the very fast pace until the 5/8 when he went raw, had the lead ¾ and the pegs midturn, far head enough so as not to be caught by BELIEVER. The latter stayed in and was shuffled to last then joined the lively outer flow on the turn, went three-wide and ate up real estate late. MISS MCKEE went in fourth at the 1/8, then moved second-over, left uncovered midturn, went along nicely. CASINO CUTIE IT was slightly off cover third-over, did not tip wide for the drive, passed tired horses. ZLATAN gapped at the half, then was stuck in, not too much in the lane. LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND came away sharply, yielded at the 26.4 quarter to sit the pocket, shuffled back as the leader gave way around the turn, looked o be on a line once clear and didn’t gain. WINNERUP paid a 26.4 price to get command, continued to go fast, tired in the last quarter.
THIRD RACE – FEHERTY left between horses for the pocket, tried to quarter-move but abandoned that attempt, broke away behind the leader from the rest, outside before headstretch, just along after a long duel. SPORTS TEEN was three-wide most of the 1/8 to take over the lead, went off to discourage an early move, paced in 27.2 down the back causing a two-horse breakaway, looked to bear out slightly in the lane but was very game in just missing. MAJOR DESIRE was a little off the gate, went around a straggler on the turn then came up the inside to grab third late. R MADDY BLUE CHIP was second-over well off the leaders, uncovered on the far turn, just missed third. A STUD NAMED SAM moved out raw 5/8, retucked third on the turn, not all that much late. FAR BETTER was innermost of three leavers, yielded, retreated from the half.
FOURTH RACE – MUAY HANOVER stayed in, tightened in late backstretch through the turn, had full clearance in the stretch and trotted right off. DARK POOL moved uncovered to the 5/8, never quite reached the leader, able to get around the midstretch trouble and edged BROADWAY BRUISER for second. The latter was outside early then backed off to last, came through on the inside as the pace slowed down, almost second. CIMERONKEN followed cover but couldn’t keep up with it, then had to be quickly steered wide to avoid the two hooked horses. GEMOLOGIST was on the move 3/16 to get the lead 5/16, went on at a quick clip, bore out in the headstretch and hooked wheels with RIVER OTTER, placed. The latter outleft everybody, yielded for the two-hole, edged out early stretch but got hooked by the pacesetter. SLATED TO WIN was third-over, broke 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – KILLER MARTINI was three-wide most of the 1/8 then went up to tuck third, moved raw to the 5/8, reached the leader late backstretch, had a small edge around the turn but couldn’t clear, finally put away the leader, then all-out to hold off SULLIVAN. The latter left nicely and sat in the pocket, backed out late turn behind the winner then went wide of him, gained ground but came up just shy. WALTER MITTY was third-over behind gapping cover, widest in the lane and beat out MAJOR OFFENSE for third. The latter was second-over but gapped lively cover, a little better late but still caught for show. DIALAMARA headed on down the road, was under attack from late backstretch, not equal to this stretch challenge. PICKLED PREACHER was inside, little late. LOUD SPLASH was away last and lost ground from before the half.
SIXTH RACE – TWO AM went away quickly and got everybody in behind him before the quarter, extended a brusher to clear and sat the two-hole behind fast numbers, to the Pocono Pike and trotted right on by. HOCKEY HANOVER got an early position, quarter-moved but pushed almost the length of the frontstretch to clear, kept up the good pace without pressure until late on the turn, second-best. PLAY TRIX ON ME was uncovered at the 11/16, grinded up, flattened just a little bit very late. KING ALPHONSO left, took the pocket past the 1/8, sat third-in, got what he could. MARION GONDOLIER was second-over, came home steadily. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS went around a gapper then gapped during the third quarter, outside on the turn, OK finishing. GRAPPLE HANOVER offered little. KAZANS POWER lost contact in front of the stands, broke late.
SEVENTH RACE – REGAL SON was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, went to the pocket 3/16, not tight not long into the backstretch as the winner sped up, not tight until early stretch, outside and wore down THE CANDYMAN CAN. The latter was away well and circled the field for the lead, rested a little in quarter two then sprinted in 27 the third split to be clear, stayed clear until into the stretch, then couldn’t sustain late. ARTISTS RUFFLES was uncovered before the 3/8, kept on coming, never closer to the lead than at the wire. BELLOWS BINGE stay connected, but was outpaced in the Pocono Pike. TJ BLAST took back at the 1/8 to tuck, sat in, gapped a little on the turn, evenly late. SO SO DE VIE was never involved.
EIGHTH RACE – STATEMENT MADE A was away powerfully to clear right to the lead, never appeared in danger. LEAR SEELSTER tucked third, moved out early backstretch but soon tucked back in, went to the Pocono Pike and won a multi-horse battle for second. There was inquiry to see whether LEAR SEELSTER had bothered HULOU and made him go inside pylons when retucking; after a long debate, no placing was made. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS retained the pocket as there was only one strong leaver, not quite enough in the last 3/16. HULOU sat in, was in close quarters shortly into the backstretch, went to the deep Pocono Pike and did OK. AMAZON stated uncovered into turn two, never got near the lead but stayed contending for minor awards. BEACH FIRE K was second-over, not particularly helped by his cover, fair late. ROCK THREE TIMES never was heard from. PEMBROKE JOEY was last at every call.
NINTH RACE – EUROBOND left, was behind cover then briefly three-wide to the 3/16 as the pocket horse squeezed out, back to two-wide and went around that one to the 5/16, set the pace, was passed past midstretch by RICH AND MISERABLE but responded gamely and got the nod. The latter was away second, got out to the 3/16 to take the lead before yielding to the winner, sat the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and got a nose up before deep stretch, just caught. KENOGAMI COCO came outside ¾ and closed very solidly. LUCKY MATTER went uncovered 5/8, advanced but not quite enough, still a good mile. SORTIE never entered the main picture. JUST MAYBE THE ONE went to the front, yielded to two horses, was moving into the deep Pike but made a break before midstretch.
TENTH RACE – SNOWBALL’S ROMEO went right to the top, yielded by to a quarter-mover and sat tight behind that one, to the Pocono Pike and gradually worked his way to the front in a long duel with SOMBODYITREASURE. The latter was second early then improved that position by one past the quarter, accelerated down the backstretch, paced his last half in 54.4 and still was caught. IM A GIGOLO N started an uncovered grind 9/16, gradually advanced, never closer than at the wire. STONE HANOVER stayed in third, was surrounded to the wire. SCOOTNROLL went to second-over, finished very strongly. QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP gapped at the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – IMAROCNROLLEGEND N showed speed, then quarter-moved after the front end settled, rated the second quarter, then sprinted off in 26.4 down the back and just kept pouring it on to win by a country mile. PALOMAR started the outer tier, one-geared it raw and was good to be the very distant second. BLACKLIGHT left between horses to command past the 1/8, forced a tuck, yielded to the winner, couldn’t go on with that one. YS MATHIS gapped significantly second-over during the backstretch sprint, then was better in the last 1/8, wide and gained some. MAC ANOVER was three-wide just past the 1/8 then went into the early pocket, stayed in, had to wait on the far turn, Pocono Pike, didn’t gain late. CLASSY HILL was looped and tucked fourth, also caught inside far turn, not too much late. MCNEILL Z TAM gapped down the back, then was blocked in the stretch pursuit for minor awards. JK MUSICMAN didn’t make his presence felt here.
TWELFTH RACE – The wind, which occasionally has surfaced then soon faded, picked up to a stretch tailwind … STELLAR BB was three-wide almost to the 3/16 in the four-horse field, got to the top in 26.1, rated the half then had twin 27.3s for these coming home and won handily, another $50,000 claim. BENJI’S BEST used positioning to force his early foes to work past the 1/8 then yielded, came outside midturn and did well to be clearly second. INDIGO ART was between horses to get command 3/16, pushed then yielded at the ¼, not enough the last 3/16. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N started gapping midbackstretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ALEX TYE was on the grind at the half, advanced steadily, took over to midstretch, then just held off GOOD ROCKIN. The latter spotted early, then was second-over, three-wide late turn, had a spurt near the wire that made it interesting. BAY MEADOWS was in front at the 1/8, strung a foe to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, had room in the Pocono Pike but did not have a crisp response. PATERNITY SUIT A was three-wide to the 1/8 then up to command to the 5/16, set the pace, didn’t have enough at crunch time. CAPTAIN CASH yielded, sat in, had room in the lane, fair. P L MUNSON was third-over, four-wide headstretch, OK. BULLVILLE TERROR sat in and was badly shuffled, angled all the way to five-wide in the stretch and had solid pace. KINGOFTHEJUNGLE lost contact at the back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO raced away to grab control, rated the half, was in a three-horse breakaway from late backstretch, urged to maintain the lead. CHOCO CHARLIE enjoyed a pocket trip, to the Pocono Pike and did well but settled for second. SIMPLY VOLO went up to tuck fourth at the 1/8, came uncovered off turn two, reached the wheel of the leader but no closer, held his ground well far ahead of the others. Then came the second group of three battlers: JOEY PRO stayed in, outfooted his two rivals in this group. FRAC left and eased in third just past the 1/8, stayed with the front ones until nearing the 11/16 then gapped them. SKYWAY JAGUAR moved outside but didn’t make much of a dent. Then came the last three: NICE STUFF and MAGNIFICENT SEVEN were always far back. GERARD broke early, couldn’t recover.
