Oct 11, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Track rated “good +1” for the first four races, and then changed to “fast + 0” for the balance of the card … AS ALWAYS did not leave, but moved before the 3/8 and quickly made the lead by the half, came home in 56 in off going as too much for these. OHARE HANOVER came out in the flow before turn two, three-wide before midturn to two-wide late turn, paced his own last half in 55.3 as the only one close at the wire. MY BOY JACK was four-wide early, made the lead 3/16, yielded, caught behind a tired one late turn, angled behind the place horse and was just third over BALI BEACH. The latter got forward positioning in the early scramble, gapped on the turn, then swung wide and had pace on the end. MESSIER SEELSTER got away some, then sat in and was shuffled to last, not that much in the Pocono Pike late. INTENTIONS was three-wide early, looped, made the lead 5/16, yielded near the half, stayed with the winner until late turn then tired significantly. OCTAVE was shuffled then backed outside, only 1½ lengths off third. ROSA’S REBEL tried to follow the winner, was left raw at the half and never headed the third-in horse, fell back.
SECOND RACE – ONE AFTER NINE was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked fourth 3/16, underway raw off turn two but only at the wheel of the leader until midstretch, then stayed strong and caught the frontstepper with his own last half of 56.3.CASTYOURCROWN was looped, refused a pocket tuck and went on to the lead just past the 5/16, went along at a good clip in the circumstances and was clear into the stretch, but couldn’t resist the winner. PRACTICAL CAL got a forward spot, moved out behind the winner to midturn, wide stretch, did well while ahead of the rest. QUICKEST HANOVER went up quickest of all to be on top to the first turn, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, tired before headstretch. SPREE moved outside 5/8 but had little to offer and retucked. THE OTHERS were the back half of the field at every call, never factoring.
THIRD RACE – TORONTO was three-wide early then on top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket and sat just behind the third quarter duel, to the Pocono Pike and along late; easy as 1-2-3 for Tyler. NUMBER ONE HIT was four-wide in the contested early pace, to two-wide 1/8 to the lead 3/16, had to roll on down the back to keep out the threat of BULLVILLE JONATHAN, held his ground very well against the winner after doing a lot of work in a fast mile. The latter got away third, tried to bumrush the leader with a 27.2 third quarter but was kept outside, tired but still far ahead of the rest. BEACH TOWN BOY was two-wide early, took a tuck, not in the picture thereafter. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN angled wide into the lane and got the last check. BOLTMAN tried to go up second-over but gapped in a fast panel. THE OTHER PAIR never entered the radar.
FOURTH RACE – PAINT BY NUMBERS was two-wide to the lead past the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, out to reclaim the lead and did so 3/8, fended off uncovered pressure and was in control late. LILYBET was five-wide past the start, three-wide 3/16 then two-wide and got the lead past the ¼, soon yielded to the winner, stayed close, not a threat to win but held well to get second over J-S MISS EMMA. The latter left and got good positioning, stayed close, to the deep Pike and close for second. SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC went uncovered past the 3/8 and made a big move to pressure the leader, held her ground to early stretch, then tired some. MYREANNA gapped far turn but then had some trot up the inside late. KRISTIELEIGH sat in, angled across the track headstretch to midstretch, fair. MISS MAYTRIX moved second-over but gapped. KOKOMO was not prominent.
FIFTH RACE – Track upgraded to “fast” … IRISH SONG moved second-over and had great cover, three-wide to headstretch, best of four pacers game to the wire. BETTE TINA left, quickly tucked third, came with a 27.3 rush down the back to challenge, never backed off all the way to the finish. SOUTHWIND MOLLY got a great trip along vacant inside space the last half, to the Pocono Pike and right there. BETTING HANNAH was away well enough to force tucks, had pressure from the place horse, tired a little late. AT MY PEAK stayed out of trouble and got the last check. HALLEYSBIGCOMET was behind cover when having to be grabbed into 5/8 as a horse broke in front of her. CHILLIN BYTHE POOL left, took the pocket under a hold, very much in contention ¾ when making a break. LIFELOVN YANKEE was already gapping cover when breaking 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – ROMANTIC TILE S checked behind the early breaker, sat third until going raw just past the 5/8, pocket before the ¾, outside again headstretch, best in a tight four-way picture. MONEY MATTERS was three-wide early right to the top, rated the half, left with an open lead as the pocketsitter fell back down the back, almost held the lead to the line. SAYONARA ANGEL went wide early avoiding trouble, in, went around the gapper and tucked third, to the Pocono Pike, right there. DIGNITY HANOVER, head cocked right in spots, gapped last in the main pack at the ¾, moved three-wide midturn, then moved all the way in to the deep Pike and by far was moving fastest of all at the wire – one to watch for. BUCKET HEAD couldn’t make up ground. CHARLIZE HANOVER was between horses early, got the two-hole when a foe broke 3/16, started to fall back not far into the backstretch. WHITTLE A SONG was in the pocket early when breaking. INFANTA DEO broke just after the start.
SEVENTH RACE – NUTTINBUTHEBEST was three-wide before the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, had to fight off third quarter pressure, did so and had a clear lead early stretch, wasn’t caught. PERFECT QUEEN moved out in the lane and was gaining rapidly late. CAVIART LUCIA was sent to the top, yielded for the two-hole, OK late but caught for second. DARK MIRAGE had cover, three-wide around it midturn, OK late. CHEEKIE BABE was fair. AILEY HANOVER was extremely wide in the stretch from a tough spot. NEVER NOT DANCING was looped between horses and tucked third at the ¼, moved quickly raw at the half and went up in 27.2 to challenge, but couldn’t sustain her move past midturn.
EIGHTH RACE – TROYCEN got a forward spot, uncovered 11/16, gradually moved to the lead past midstretch. VINCENTI came out behind dull cover on the turn, wide, had a bit too far to come. ZETTE FLAME was parked to a quick quarter, had a clear lead from the 3/8 to the 5/8, didn’t make the advantage last late. CALIFORNIA GOLD spotted fourth, came out second-over but gapped, best of the rest. A ONE A was evenly inside. KING KENNY broke taking back early. FATHER OF IRELAND was outside midfield, took back, not heard from again. HEARTBREAK HILL left, yielded at the ¼, sat in the pocket and tightened in down the back, in contention when going offstride headstretch. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE ruined his chances early.
NINTH RACE – JULA MAGICIAN made the top and yielded, gapped towards the half but quickly made up ground down the back and went right up to the leader on the turn, trotted by nicely in a fast mile for these. GOOGOO ON STAGE was not away quickly, but then got in gear from sixth to the ¼ and had the lead before turn two, put up big numbers on a big lead from before the half through mid-far turn, but then was overhauled by the winner. BAR COINS stayed connected to the top five, outside at the ¾ and was a distant next. KAACHING KAACHING was four-wide leaving, got to the top 3/16, yielded at the 5/16, gapped a gapper then backed out behind the winner, soon raw and not gaining. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS, far back off the second turn, passed the others for a check. JOE EXOTIC never factored. VICTORY YANKEE took back early, then was gapping considerably before the half. MR BLUMETTI was three-wide early and looped, went up to the lead 5/16, yielded to turn two and soon was falling far back. F X HANOVER broke at the half.
TENTH RACE – RED POWER was three-wide early then two-wide much of a 26.4 quarter, got no rest as choosing to park out an early challenger, disposed of him 5/8 and briefly had some clearance after fast fractions, then held off many horses charging while bearing out some. ACTOR HANOVER went to the lead then yielded and sat the pocket, which he kept closed during the midrace duel, got a bit loose 5/8 but narrowed in by headstretch, outside, very good. BIPBOPNALLIE left a big gap towards turn two and down the back, gained inside then came up the deep Pocono Pike with good pace. TELL THEM LOU was also far back much of the way, gained in tight quarters through the latter part of the lane, possibly shut off at the wire. DOUBLE METAL got position early, moved out midturn then ducked in to headstretch as the pocketsitter pulled, OK. TREVOR’S ACE was never close. DIAMOND HEAD moved at the ¼ and went his second split in 26.4 trying to clear, but was wide and couldn’t get by, done 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – CHUPPAH ON was last until headstretch, had room up the Pocono Pike and had a giant stretch kick to gain the victory late. IN LOU OF MONEY was the only leaver and strung the field out to the 5/8 while going good fractions, disposed of all rivals except the winner to his inside. MACKIE HANOVER sat in the pocket, a little loose on the turn, found a little bit better pace nearing the wire. BLONDE ONTHE BEACH looked at leaving but took back, then second-over, wide, couldn’t reach. ALLEYESONME AS popped out raw 5/8, started retreating nearing late on the turn.
TWELFTH RACE – BANG BANG BOINGA got away third, moved out into a blindswitch late turn but then ducked back in headstretch, through in the Pocono Pike to take the decision at $88.20. SO LONG HANOVER had no early speed, was behind dull cover, three-wide to the ¾ and gained steadily from there but was just beaten out. DIVINE SPIRIT tailed the place horse ¾, was gapping through the turn, widest late and moving very well (although the pace was slowing). WORTHY OF HONOR had the lead into the first turn, put up a fast first quarter then rated the second, got pressure on the far turn, held OK. RED REDEMPTION was away well to sit the two-hole, outside midturn, beaten less than a length. TRICKY DICK stayed in, wasn’t quite keeping up early stretch, did better midstretch, then was blocked by a wall of horses late. AP HALL OF TRIX tucked fourth near the 1/8, started uncovered before the half, never got close, then ran midturn. FOCUS POCUS made a nasty break early.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BEAUTY IS BLIND went to the early lead and got others to tuck, yielded to the favorite to sit the two-hole, edged out early stretch and went past the leader just before deep stretch. BAREFOOT’NPREGNANT was three-wide early, up to a tuck 3/16, in, Pocono Pike, loomed midstretch, did get a photo decision over CAPSAICINN for second. The latter tucked early then moved out 5/16 to get the lead, set a good pace, not quite enough. THREE WAY SPLIT sat in and advanced up the inside, looked in tight quarters deep at the pegs late. COOLNCALCULATING N backed out to second-over 5/8, a bit of pace between horses late. MORROCKIN K started uncovered towards turn two, never reached the leader, evenly. JUBILEE QUEEN was outside, gapped letting a foe out, never a major danger. CHANEL BEACH was far back. GETTIN GONE went away slowly and was disconnected before the half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HALL IT OFF moved second-over 5/8 and went up, three-wide past midturn, closed determinedly. FINLANDIA sat in, moved out on the turn, then followed cover three-wide, then swung even wider, finished solidly. STORM BRINGER went to the lead, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, had a chance up the Pocono Pike, a bit shy. CHARMING BANK was outside to a good quarter, rated the second quarter, couldn’t make his lead last to the wire. TUFF TO BE LINDY was three-wide leaving, tucked fourth at the 1/8, started raw 9/16 and spurted 5/8 to make a good challenge to the leader, faded the last 1/8. CHOCOLATE MATTERS was off the gate, not a factor. SNOWFALLA gapped third-over far turn.
Oct 9, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Sloppy +1” throughout the card … MUSCLE MACH A was away third then quarter-moved, set the pace, drew away from these in the stretch. VAGANOVA settled in the early pocket at the 1/8, sat third-in, came up the Pocono Pike to take second. SI SEMALU was in front going to the 1/8, yielded to the winner and stayed close until the stretch, outside, but tired. CAPTAIN KEEN was second-over, three-wide midturn, outfooted LUZIANA for the next spot. The latter started uncovered at the half, gained throughout the third quarter but began backing off midturn. DEERFIELD BEACH gapped much of the way. SPORTY REDHOT sat in and was shuffled to last, never a factor.
SECOND RACE – IMAGINEUWITHOUTME left between horses and wound up in the pocket, quickly moved late backstretch to get the lead before midturn, won coasting. FRANKIE ROCKS A hustled to catch the gate, away third, moved out off turn two but soon retucked, outside in the lane and found better strides late. JEREMES GENERAL was four-wide early, out until the 3/16 to make the top, yielded to the winner’s move past the ¾ and tired in the lane. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was never prominent. CALVERY HILL had dull cover, got the distant last check. A WISH FOR WINGS was always near the rear. TRICK CARD was three-wide early and looped, with cover then to the inside to the 5/16, briefly had cover past the half then left raw, never threatened. QUAKE BLUE CHIP offered little.
THIRD RACE – GINGER TREE CAREY had some speed, pulled from third at the half and went her third split in 27.4 to clear to the lead ¾, looked to be in control. DELILAH DE VIE had cover from going to the second turn, wide around it when it gapped on the turn, finished very well. CASSIE’S BELIEVER went out to grab the early lead, yielded for the pocket, was shuffled some on the turn as the winner took over, then to the Pocono Pike, had a decent response and was well ahead of the others. AL-MAR-GOT A FEVER began uncovered towards turn two, got cover at the half but couldn’t stay with it, left raw ¾, continued on evenly. TRIPLE DIP took over at the 3/16, rated the half, did not have enough sprint to keep the winner outside ¾, tired. THE REST OF THE FIELD did not make their presence felt.
FOURTH RACE – B FLOVER was looped early and outside, saw the early pocket horse move 3/16 then went up behind that one to gain the lead to the 3/8, fought off pressure, won nicely. QUICK BET was second early, moved before the winner 3/16 then yielded for the two-hole, clearly second-best. DIVINE MOONSHINE went up second-over behind good cover, three-wide late turn, steadily. TSM EMILIA T sat in, shuffled some on the turn then three-wide with cover, four-wide in the lane and was coming on well. WORKOUT GIRL spotted midpack, backed out to third-over, blindswitched past midturn, came between horses with trot from midstretch. OK SUNNY was uncovered into turn two, made a big move at the leader the entire third quarter and through the turn, then tired. FORTUNAPEDIA was four-wide early to get to the front, yielded, was gapping inside before the 5/8. RELENTLESS JACKIE could offer little. AMBERS CHAMPION lost gait early.
FIFTH RACE – SPORTSMANSHIP was third-over, tipped wide early stretch, was still seventh nearing midstretch but had the most pace late and was along at $141.60, the biggest price at Pocono since June 2, when the win mutuel was $169.40 on … SPORTSMANSHIP. LAREDO TORPEDO N was uncovered from the 3/8, battled the leader from just before the 5/8, never stopped digging. POINTSMAN cleared to the lead at the 3/16, got a second quarter breather then came under the gun the last 3/8, almost held gamely. BRINGITONHOME N was third-in, had to be handled carefully late in very close quarters while with pace. BIG MACH was second-over, tipped wide, OK but outkicked. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was fastest away, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not all that much late. KJ OWEN stayed in in last, never had clearance. LITTLE ADMIRAL was fourth-over, tried gaining four-wide late turn but could not.
SIXTH RACE – TEDDY BROSVELT raced third-over, swept three-wide 11/16 and remained three-deep through the turn, overhauled BATTING STATS. The latter left, was looped and tucked, went uncovered second turn, cleared to the lead just past the ¾, almost lasted to the line. ARCH CREDIT went in front going to turn one, yielded, shuffled early turn then out in a blindswitch, found room to angle wide and made a good comeback. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK took a rough step past the start, recovered and was second-over, was blindswitched by the winner late backstretch, left uncovered before mid-far turn, next in line. GINGER TREE KNOX was fourth-over, wide with cover on the turn, finished OK. GLIDE IN THE WIND was too far back. BUTTER TOFFEE sat in and was shuffled back around the far turn. POND JUMPER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to 3/16 command, set the pace, engulfed in the last quarter.
SEVENTH RACE – ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN had a great second-over trip advancing nicely, three-wide midturn, to the lead just past midstretch and proved best. CAPTAIN TERROR, looking very hard to control, raced third-over, four-wide headstretch, closed well for second. DIVISION BELL stayed third-in, out in a blindswitch headstretch, not clear in the lane but gained in the path behind the winner. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was in front going to turn one, yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not enough. TITANIUM N was uncovered at the half, challenged but didn’t reach past the leader’s wheel until headstretch, not quite enough. REYS N A RUCKUS was wide early to the lead just past the 1/8, set the pace, little left late. SOUTHWIND DREDGE gapped in last.
EIGHTH RACE – RIPPLE OF HOPE wasn’t involved in the early skirmishes, moved raw into turn two and had cleared by the 5/8, in control from that point. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was three-wide leaving to the front before the 1/8, encouraged a tuck, slowed at the half, didn’t fight the brushing leader 5/8, kept up well behind that one. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN was four-wide early to two-wide by the 1/8, took the pocket, came outside 11/16 but fell back in the stretch, still a clear third. SHOCK PROOF gained some for his placing. SURE BIRD was gapping at the half, got the last check. BEETLEJUICE was third leaving, couldn’t keep up. WINE BAR was never close. BUBBA ARUBA moved behind the winner’s cover, but gapped it, was left raw, then broke 11/16. MANUKA was trying for early position as the innermost of the quicker starters but lost gait.
NINTH RACE – NAMJE gapped much of the first half, then moved second-over, left raw midturn, closed well to edge JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE by half a nostril. The latter was away sharply to clear from post eight in a fast ¼, yielded to the 3/8, saw another lead change on the turn and was shuffled a little third-in, had a crisp response deep in the Pike to just miss in another good showing by the Brocklehurst Brigade. SANCHEZ ROCKS was uncovered at the half, trotted steadily at the leader and went by midturn, couldn’t hold the lead to the finish. STOP RESISTIN was double-looped, patiently went on past the fast quarter to the lead to the 3/8, came under pressure, yielded command on the turn but persevered OK. KING CAST gapped third-over. SCHNICKEL FRITZ raced into the early pocket, inside, gapped far turn. O JONNIE never entered the picture. PHOENICIAN lost contact in the last quarter.
TENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE protected an early forward spot, moved uncovered off turn two and went 27.2 down the back to clear 11/16, far and away the best this afternoon. SHES PUKKA N did not have good cover, three-wide far turn, paced very well late. APRIL AVA used the rail to advantage, yielded 5/16, was stuck behind a tired pacesetter, to the Pocono Pike and along for third. SURREAL FEELING had too far to come, widest and closed well. NATASHA tried to gain up the inside in the stretch but didn’t have enough. BYE BYE FELICIA did not factor in this one. MAJOR OCCASION A proceeded up gradually, took the lead past a quick quarter and went on at a rapid clip, fought with the winner down the backstretch before yielding, gradually backed up. SUNNY DEE was three-wide early but took back, theoretically had great cover from the winner except she couldn’t stay with it and clogged the two-wide tier.
ELEVENTH RACE – FINAL DREAM left well, yielded, retook in front of the stands, opened a big lead which she maintained for a half-mile from the 3/8 on, got a little tired (30.4 last quarter) but still prevailed as the longest shot on the board. NICE STUFF was three-high to curve one, made the top 3/16, yielded to the winner, didn’t keep up midrace, but stayed steady to the inside of the winner in the lane. SKYWAY JAGUAR sat last, gained up the inside far turn and in the stretch to just miss second. CHOCO CHARLIE sat in, moved outside in a blindswitch late turn angled wide and gained as the pace slowed. FRAC was never a factor by missed second by only a half length. KARETS spotted third to the 1/8, uncovered off turn two but couldn’t make an impression.
TWELFTH RACE – INVINCIBLE was far back behind dull cover down the back, three-wide ¾ then ducked inside for the stretch, got the nod over ANDOVERS TOUCH. The latter was first on top, saw two go by, back out 9/16, reached the leader late backstretch and fought with that one past a quick ¾ and into the lane, trotted on steadily to just come up short. EVANNA quarter-moved and went fast fractions, got pressure late backstretch, was still in the fight when breaking midstretch; an inquiry gave no reason for placing. LATOKA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to get in front at the ¼, yielded just past the 3/8 for the pocket, left behind before the ¾. CRITICAL MASS gapped down the backstretch. HALLANET tried to gain two-wide but could not. MONEY MAVEN gapped in front of the stands and broke going to the half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N was looped between horses early and finally made the top 5/16, looked to be in control but a late surge from BRING ME DIAMONDS made it interesting. The latter was three-wide early then two-wide to the front 3/16, yielded 5/16 and sat the pocket, fell back a little upper stretch then found much better gear and narrowed in while bearing out some. DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL left, stayed close until late on the turn, just held in a photo for third over BULLVILLEKARLA. The latter was second-over behind not-robust cover, three-wide midturn, found her best strides a little too belatedly. ALKIPPE tucked then was not heard from again. VELOCITY MCSWEETS was never on the radar. YES DOUBLE DOWN came uncovered 3/8 but never got closer than the wheel of the pocket horse before falling back. LITTLE SANDY TOES gapped at the half, no factor.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ENZIO made the lead 3/16 in quick opening fractions, rated the half, then trotted home powerfully by herself for a double for Meadows trainer Kelly Paver. CLASSICALITY was uncovered at the 3/8 then got cover on turn two, went inside the cover ¾ and wait to wait for clearance, got it headstretch and along for a clear second. ZLATAN was first to emerge with the lead, yielded 3/16, struggled to keep up early backstretch then got tighter, then loose again, held third. MASSIVE OPULENCE was third-over, ducked in, angled out early stretch and had some late trot. EV’S GIRL moved uncovered at the half, never reached the lead, bore out late turn, still got the final payday. KEYSTONE THUNDER and CREWS HILLTOPPER were always far back. TUIS SHADOW spotted fourth to the ¼, not much the last half. BANZAI AS ran early.
Oct 6, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … JAGGER ROCKS sat third-in, went up the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter went outside, won easily. BAY MEADOWS came through at the start and took the lead, yielded to the brusher to sit the two-hole, outside early stretch, won a three-way photo for second. DA DELIGHTFUL backed out to third-over before the half, was blindswitched ¾ and went back in, had pace up the far inside. SKIP TO MY LOU was away second then improved that positioning by one before the 3/8, couldn’t last until the line. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN backed outside 11/16 and soon went three-wide, four-wide late turn and lost ground straightening away, finished well. JK MUSICMAN was out with cover at every call, moved three-wide midturn but couldn’t gain. ROCK THREE TIMES never factored. MCNEIL Z TAM was looking to go in the 4-hole to the 3/16 but got rank and went wide, stayed on the outside uncovered, tired.
SECOND RACE – KING ALPHONSO was second-over, left raw to the ¾ as the first-over cleared, was in a good fight in the stretch and proved the best late. ROCK PARTY moved first-up before the half, took over 11/16 as the leader broke, almost maintained the advantage to the wire. GEMOLOGIST was quickly away to the lead, hung a foe 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, wound up maintaining the pocket after the grinder cleared and the pacesetter broke going to the infield, had a chance in the Pocono Pike, just a bit shy. SWEET HEART AS gapped earlier in the backstretch then caught up with cover, not quite enough late. JOEY PRO went evenly inside. KEYSTONE SERGEANT went outside ¾ but couldn’t make an impact. BROADWAY BRUISER was far back throughout. CHUCKY DE VIE was looped leaving, found no hole so pressed on past a fast quarter to get the lead, was challenged down the backstretch, tired, broke, went to the infield. MUSHANA broke before the ¼.
THIRD RACE – WALTER MITTY was third-over from last, three-wide ¾ through the turn, continued on with the most late pace. SWEET N FAST N was second-over, crucially blindswitched ¾, worked between horses early stretch and finally with room to close for second. KILLER MARTINI went uncovered 5/8 and challenged hard, got a slight advantage late turn which he maintained until deep in the lane. SULLIVAN yielded for the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite summon enough late. PICKLED PREACHER was third-in, didn’t have stretch clearance. BLOW A CLOUD N was under encouragement to clear early, went on with a good second split into the wind, got pressure late backstretch, no more to give from midturn.
FOURTH RACE – WILBERFORCE left and got an early distant pocket, narrowed in and pulled out off the second turn, worked by past the fast ¾, only finished in 31.1 but that was more than enough. MUAY HANOVER sat in, gapped down the backstretch, then finished evenly. LIBERO HANOVER shot out to a good-sized lead in a fast quarter, rated the half then got pressure from the winner, resisted it to past the ¾ then yielded, held well for third after hard usage. ZOOMING was outside early, gapped second-over down the back, wide and did OK late. URSIS DES CAILLONS got in the outer flow, a little late. SWANCREDIT didn’t enter the main picture. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was three-wide early to the 3/16, got into third off the first turn, back outside far turn but had little to give. MONTALBANO BI was loped and between horses, found the pegs past the ¼, not a factor thereafter.
FIFTH RACE – INDIGO ART was last, moved third-over ¾, three- then four-wide late turn, had strong late pace to win going away. THE CANDYMAN CAN was three-wide to nearing the 3/16, thought about taking back to tuck but went on and was urged to get the lead just past the 3/8, had no pressure until the 11/16 but still rolled along, couldn’t handle the winner but was game to retain second, was reclaimed to tie the Pocono record again at $50,000. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N moved out to the 11/16 and soon got cover, three-wide midturn, outkicked and just missed second. BELLOWS BINGE looked at leaving but tucked, third-in, not clear until the stretch, then OK in the Pocono Pike. T J BLAST blasted away and forced a hot quarter, yielded, came back out 11/16 but didn’t quite have enough. SOMEBEACH BARON was between horses early, used to make the lead at the 26.3 quarter then strung the chalk out just past the 3/8 before yielding, not much left in the stretch.
SIXTH RACE – GANGSTER HANOVER went to the lead, got a slowed half, then sprinted in 27.1 to leave the rest gasping, finished out strongly to leave these well in his wake. MAX left and worked into the two-hole past the 1/8, couldn’t quite stay with the winner to the ¾ but had enough to retain second. PLAY TRIX ON ME sat inside, to the Pocono Pike, OK. KENOGAMI COCO stayed in, outside late turn, fair. TWO AM gapped at the back. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT, hard to steer, was three-wide much of turn one, then went forward but never appeared to threaten the winner and fell back. SORTIE went up behind the parked horse into turn two, three-wide far turn but didn’t have much late.
SEVENTH RACE – ARTISTS RUFFLES moved out uncovered from last before the half, put in a fine third quarter to grid methodically to the leader, battled that one on the turn while well ahead of the rest, the strong horse late. DING DING DINGER moved from fourth soon off the first turn to gain command before the second bend and a fast half, fought with the winner from before the ¾ and through the turn, no match for that one but did hold onto place in a three-way picture. DIALAMARA was shuffled to last then moved out ¾, went between horses in the stretch and squeezed through with some pace. AMERICAN CHROME backed out, was behind the winner but couldn’t stay with him, got to a clear third midturn, but couldn’t sustain. LORD OF MISRULE tucked second after vying for the early lead, then was shuffled out of it as the pacesetter gave way. DRAWING DRAGONS left and would not yield in the 26.3 first fraction, did yield nearing turn two, couldn’t keep up late backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – A STUD NAMED SAM got forward positioning, then quarter-moved, had an easy time of it. FEHERTY made the front at the 1/8, yielded, moved out midturn, found better steps late to be a clear second. SPORTS TEEN, four-wide to turn one, took control 3/16, yielded a like distance later for the pocket, couldn’t go enough in the last ¼. ASTAIRE sat in, evenly. MAJOR DESIRE was well off the gate, moved outside 3/8 and got cover at the half, went three-wide 11/16 and gained until midturn then tired. SPORTY DRAGON gapped inside. FAR BETTER took back early, went raw at the half but never got close. TOPVILLE CRUISER was far back early, never got closer, then faded badly in the lane. STEP ON THE GAS misstepped going to turn one.
NINTH RACE – The video system malfunctioned and did not record this race to watch for replay. From notes while watching the race live: STELLAR BB quarter-moved, had the pace he wanted and was very good; also taken for $50,000. REGAL SON took over at the 3/16, yielded at the 3/8, stayed very game to the wire. BENJI’S BEST vacated last 11/16 to go up raw, solid. ALEX TYE pushed the early pace, yielded, had room in the Pocono Pike and certainly wasn’t far off.
TENTH RACE – Same technical problem – sorry. From the notes watching the race live: CHIN CHIN HALL worked to get the lead in a fast opener, yielded to the first parked horse and sit tight behind that one as he fought with a parked challenger, came through on the inside for the score. WARRIOR ONE pushed the pace early, yielded, was shuffled to last, went to the deep Pike and had a good response (in the 30.1 last quarter). JOEY moved with cover on turn two, went three-wide past the 5/8, ducked in to second-over, went on for third. NEXTROUNDSONME went to third-over in a blindswitch, swung three-wide as JOEY went to the two-path, flattened. CRYSTAL FASHION was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the lead 3/8, immediately under constant pressure in the fast fractions, tired. MORAIRTIME stayed outside behind cover before the ¼, left raw 3/8 and battled hard but couldn’t clear, tired.
ELEVENTH RACE – ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was two-wide in a four-way early dogfight, got to the inside at the 1/8 and accelerated to not let anybody by, fought off two separate challenges while going big fractions, went clear late in an impressive showing. SOMBODYITREASURE was three-wide to the 1/8 then took back for the pocket 3/16, kept up OK in the lane but wasn’t getting to the winner. SCOOTNROLL was out following cover wide early backstretch, left three-wide raw for a while then to second-over, three-wide headstretch and did well. LYONS NIGHT HAWK was in the early mix, stayed connected, not quite enough late. BULLVILLE TERROR got going to the half and was three-wide soon off turn two to get to uncovered just past the 5/8, pressured the leader but couldn’t sustain in the last quarter. PATERNITY SUIT A was out in the wide flow but couldn’t keep with it. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO was four-wide early, had to take the air two-wide the duration, looped just past the 5/8 and faded. MAJOR OFFENSE didn’t have anything from the start.
TWELFTH RACE – JUST MAYBE THE ONE, not smooth at several points but always battling, was first to show, yielded off the first turn to sit in the two-hole, came through in the Pocono Pike and won over MARION GONDOLIER. The latter was between horses past the 1/8 then settled inside, started first-over off the second turn, gradually improved then challenged the leader hard on the final turn, drifted out through the stretch but still was going forward. CASINO CUTIE IT moved second-over, went inside the drifting horse late and was along for third. WINNERUP was three-wide to the 3/16 in a quick opener, made the lead off the first turn, kept on going, had a challenger before the ¾, tired in the stretch. THE LIONKING AS sat in, had some late in the Pocono Pike. SEVEN IRON was involved early, yielded, gapped far turn. BANK BOX TREASURE moved outside but couldn’t keep up.
THIRTEENTH RACE – P L MUNSON moved outside 5/8 and was three-wide not long thereafter to two-wide raw ¾, put away the leader and drew off at 45-1. AMAZON was stuck in until midturn, angled out three-wide and was along for second. PEMBROKE JOEY made the lead to the first turn, yielded, kept the pocket closed in the midrace duel, outside late turn, third-best. LINCOLNJAMES left between horses for command, then would not yield to the parked rival in wicked early fractions, got a new challenger to the ¾, tired in the lane. HURRIKANE GEORGIE gapped in quarter two, tighter, then didn’t have much in the last 3/16. DREAM OF LUCK had no good luck, parked three-wide past the 1/8, then briefly having cover until being left raw, urged to clear but couldn’t in a fast duel, looped ¾. BEACH FIRE K and ABSOLUTE INTENT never entered the main picture.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BABES DIG ME led the outer tier going into turn two, one-geared it up solidly, kept on going until he made the lead, then held off WHITE HAIR ROCKS. The latter had a perfect cover trip, three-wide stretch, moving well late to just miss. IMAROCNROLLEGEND N left wide, had cover early, got in full gear 3/16 to work to the top 3/8 in a fast half, under relentless pressure from the winner, held his ground well. CAPTAIN CASH had the lead at the 1/8 and yielded 3/16, inside, gapped on the turn then moved out into a blindswitch, coming back a little late. MAC ANOVER was buried inside, went to the Pocono Pike and gained. TUXEDO BAY was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to 3/16 control, yielded and sat in the pocket, little late response. BLACKLIGHT was moving well at the wire from last. KINGOFTHEJUNGLE gapped third-over. YS MATHIS was not heard from.
Oct 4, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Good +1” throughout the card … DOUBLE METAL pressed on early against the rail horse and cleared him 3/16, set a good pace in the off going without pressure, won nicely. ARTIST BEST as noted left hard and defended the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, neither gained nor lost late ground. BOLTMAN was three-wide early, eased into third 3/16, came out raw 11/16, couldn’t gain late. PHANTOM LIFESAVER moved with cover, gapped it then moved tighter and wide into the lane, not gaining. THE COOKIE MONSTER started to go outside then went back in but in doing so bothered SCOTT ONTHE ROCKS, gained inside on the turn, then had little late, placed. PET SUR-ROC started out from last but was losing ground coming off the second turn.
SECOND RACE – SERRANO VOLO was off the gate a little, came on uncovered at the half and went 28.2 the third split to get the pocket ¾, back out again midturn, had passed the leader by the time that one broke, good. HURRIKANE WILLIE G used the rail well and was in the pocket, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, sped up down the backstretch, looked like he was going to be second when running late, placed for LOB. KISS AN ANGEL tucked between horses, moved out early turn then soon got cover, steadily late. GROSSETO AS and CHARMING BANK both stayed inside, did OK late. PADRE looped all leavers four-wide to get the lead by the 1/8, yielded to sit the pocket, got loose down the backstretch. SJ’S LADY LOU was looped and three-wide early, made a break past the 1/8, caught stride but then dangled on the outside while not being prominent. BREEZING PRAYER was gapping last before she made a break past the ½.
THIRD RACE – CASTYOURCROWN left, rode the very loose pocket behind the runaway until later in the backstretch, then outside, went by past midturn, all alone. MR BLUMETTI followed the winner, took one bad step behind cover 11/16 then righted, uncovered late turn, clear second. JOE EXOTIC followed the first two, out with cover on the turn, couldn’t go with them late. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS gapped significantly in last, then found a high gear in the last split and finished strongly. CREATE went to the top and set a very fast pace, paid the price the last 3/16. F X HANOVER broke before the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – Light rain during this race, and there is now a stretch tailwind … AILEY HANOVER yielded, then was quarter-mover #1, yielded again, came out of the pocket midturn with cover, briefly blindswitched, then clear and had the most finishing. SOME KINDA ANGEL went up to grab the racetrack 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, back out raw past the 5/8, got a small advantage but couldn’t clear inside, grabbed second very late. HAZEL PARK was quarter-mover #2, fought to keep the first-over on the outside, held pretty well. HALLEYSBIGCOMET was inside, able to go up into the pocket and then the Pocono Pike, briefly loomed but flattened a bit. BYGONE HANOVER moved raw at the half then got cover 5/8 but gapped it, was moving pretty well at the wire while wide. THE NEXT TWO were never close. SWEET GADGETS was a bit rough at the start, was a gapping last at every call.
FIFTH RACE – THINK OF GALAXIES sat in third, trapped far turn, escaped being boxed midstretch and had a big burst in the last 1/16 to be along in time. ALLEYESONME AS was away second, on the move 3/16 to get the top, stepped it up to meet backstretch pressure, caught by the late spurt of the winner. AVAYA HANOVER was quickest early, yielded for the two-hole, a bit rough and a bit loose down the back then tighter, Pocono Pike, not enough. FREE FLYING TICKET started uncovered at the half and went up in 27 to challenge, gradually gave ground. BNB was outside early, took until past the ¼ to get him inside, then out second-over but rough and gapping. RHYME N ROLL finished mildly.
SIXTH RACE – No more rain, very little wind … THESUNRISESAGAIN was double-looped early and gradually went up, had cover to the ¼ to the lead 3/8 then rested to the half, got no pressure down the back, handled confidently late. PAINT BY NUMBERS was four-wide to the first turn, got to two-wide and then the lead near the ¼, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and did well but couldn’t go by. KRISTIELEIGH was three-wide early, went to the lead, hung a foe to near the ¼ and yielded, popped out of third late turn, went on OK. LILYBET kept a hole shut early, sat in, angled wide headstretch, took a while to find a higher gear, OK late. MYREANNA moved outside 11/16 but made little progress; CIAO BELLA gapped her cover. CARAMELA HANOVER lost gait at the start.
SEVENTH RACE – NUMBER ONE HIT left strongly to take over right away, slowed the second quarter while having the field strung out at the half, tapped late and responded with a surge in a very impressive win. INTENTIONS defended the pocket early, stayed fairly close until before midstretch. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH went outside 5/8 to clear a gapper ¾, couldn’t gain further and reported back with “b.e.” MESSIER SEELSTER tried for early positioning but couldn’t get it and was a bit rank being taken back, not much the last half. THE OTHER THREE were having their own private race for the last check.
EIGHTH RACE – PINE BUSH WILBUR used the rail to advantage to control the pace, wide out of the first turn but got squared away, slowed the half, had no threat until late turn when VINCENTI challenged, defeated that one in a stretchlong duel. The latter was uncovered at the bottom of the second turn, moved up nicely and got the pocket as its former occupant had trouble, stayed there until late on the turn, gave the winner a good tussle. HEARTBREAK HILL stayed connected, wide in the lane and came on with good trot. LEGION OF HONOR backed out behind cover to avoid a shuffle, stayed third off the top two, then tired. COMMAND THE MARKET was in the group sweeping by the fading horse, so-so. KING KENNY broke to the first turn, made a good recovery to get back with the field by the half, although not a factor thereafter. CHECK MY SCORE raced away for the pocket, developed a problem near the half and started to gap badly, then was taken off the course.
NINTH RACE – LINDYSALWAYSTHINKN was five-wide nearing the first curve, three-wide 3/16 to a tuck at the ¼, moved with cover before the 5/8 and was able to retuck in the pocket, came out again for the stretch and worked by very nicely late in a fast mile for this kind under these conditions. OHARE HANOVER settled into the 3-hole, moved before the 5/8 and took command before the ¾, not enough for the winner but far better than the rest in a good try of his own. TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK defended the pocket against many outside leavers, shuffled late backstretch then outside and retucked a distant third, well ahead of the rest. ROSE’S REBEL was far off the front action, circled the others. OCTAVE was gapping by the half. BALI BEACH tried to advance uncovered towards turn two but couldn’t reach the backstretch cover. PHILOSOPHIZER had little. MOHAWK SEELSTER came through to take control, put up a fast half, but was done when challenged late backstretch.
TENTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY was parked past the quarter, yielded to the chalk for the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midpond and then held off MIKIBYTHESEASIDE to his left. The latter stayed close early, sat in, went to the deep Pike and was making up ground quickly late. RED POWER was three-wide to the 1/8 then went behind cover, lost the cover past the ¼ and proceeded on to the lead 3/8, dealt with the first-over and turned for home with the lead, may have drifted out a little, held well, but not enough. TELL THEM LOU pushed away well from the pole and yielded past the ¼, uncovered 9/16 and went in 27 down the back to put extended pressure on the leader, seemed rebuffed mid-far turn but kept on going late. DIAMOND HEAD was second-over but couldn’t quite go with his cover. ACTOR HANOVER was in a bad spot third-over behind a horse not tight on cover, wide stretch, OK.
ELEVENTH RACE – NUTTINBUTHEBEST pushed away well from the rail and set the pace, rated the half, got no pressure, was measuring off the win late in the 27.4 kicker. BEACH BALLSY was away well to retain the pocket, got going midstretch and narrowed in but couldn’t reach the winner. DARK MIRAGE tucked third before the first turn, stayed connected until the far turn. KEYSTONE DELIGHT went evenly. ROCKIN GOOD TIME sat in and got the last check. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT gapped most of the way to the half, moved uncovered but didn’t make much of a dent; IMONABEACH HANOVER followed that cover, swung wide, couldn’t reach.
TWELFTH RACE – GHOSTINTHESHELL S was on top at the 1/8, parked a foe well past a 26.3 opener before yielding, immediately retook, rebuffed a good first-over challenge, drew clear very impressively. PERTH ANGEL DE VIE left well, yielded, stayed connected, came up to the pocket as the two-holer broke on the turn, edged BIG NUDGE for second. The latter gapped second-over during a backstretch duel, swung wide and had some late trot. DAGO HANOVER followed lively cover, outtrotted. FOCUS POCUS tucked early, was shuffled to last, didn’t work back into it. KAZANS POWER started an uncovered bid at the half and went in 28 down the back to go head-and-head with the leader until headstretch, then suddenly fell back, went offstride midstretch. MISS VET HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then limbed out long past the 26.3 first stanza, yielded, gapped during the backstretch duel but then got tighter, but then broke midturn and was taken to the centerfield.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WATERBOARD used the rail well to get the pocket, came up the inside and caught EASYRUNNER HANOVER. The latter took over 3/16, set the pace, stayed clear of the outside challengers in the stretch but couldn’t handle the one to her left. SILVER TAIL tucked fourth past the 1/8, then went second-over, three-wide past midturn, won a photo over BEAUTY IS BLIND for the distant third. The latter looked at leaving but was taken back while not liking the idea, uncovered into turn two and attacked, faded in the stretch. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON had little to offer after an inside trip. GETTING GONE, a little off the gate, was fourth-over behind a gapper, very wide turning for home and even wider late with pace, returned with “b.e.” BEAM M W never got a call. MORROCKIN K dangled outside in the second half of the field throughout, gapping cover when she got it.
FOURTEENTH RACE – PRACTICAL CAT was outside with cover early, went on to lead off the first turn, just too good for these. WHAT A DANCE was far behind entering the backstretch, advanced with cover, had very good late trot. FINLANDIA came out of fifth raw 5/8, gained but not as much as the place horse. SNOWFALLA made the lead to the 3/16, yielded off turn one for the pocket, got loose in the last ¼. BLUE DEVIL took back at the start, never again in the main picture. PRAIRIE VIRTUE offered very little. STORM BRINGER was among a bunch leaving but soon broke. TUFF TO BE LINDY yielded and was forwardly-placed, edged out of third midturn but broke.
Oct 2, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Strong stretch headiwnd – only three last quarters beat 30 today … ARCHIBALD was uncovered 3/8 and gained from there until the ¾ while going his third split in 28.1, couldn’t cross over on the turn but still proved a safe winner. KEYSTONE THUNDER backed out third-over, three-wide around a gapper midturn, finished well. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was out to the 3/16 for the lead, had the winner come at him nearing the 5/8, worked hard to keep that one from crossing over to the pegs, held pretty well. PUERTO RICO was on top early, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not all that much. FRAC stayed in, deep Pike, not all that much. KARETS backed out to second-over but gapped the winners’ cover.
SECOND RACE – COOL MISS WENDY got a tuck 3/16, moved out into turn two and soon picked up good cover, followed it until late on the far turn, had the most trot in the stretch. OK SUNNY was third-over, gapped cover a little down the back then got tighter, swung wide, not as much kick as the winner but enough to get second. AMBERS CHAMPION sat in, came clear in the Pocono Pike and didn’t miss second by much. FREE DRINKS was kept out three-wide 3/16 as the horse inside her made a break, got in third at the ¼, came back for more raw at the half and was in a tough battle with the leader, couldn’t sustain. TRINITY HANOVER was away quickly to get the lead, came under pressure from the first-over a long way, couldn’t sustain. FASHION PRINCESS made a break at the back of the pack just past the ¾. RELENTLESS JACKIE wound up in the pocket, still in contention but miscued midturn and went inside the pegs. PRAIRIE TRINKET was looped leaving, went offstride 3/16.
THIRD RACE – DREAM OF LUCK made the lead just past the 1/8 in a fast opener, rated the half then went on as he pleased and won handily. CLASSY HILL left and yielded to sit in the pocket, stayed tight for ¾, held the deuce. THE BUS A fell in third, retightened down the back and moved out midturn, but didn’t have much forward gear late. HURRIKANE GEORGIE gapped from the ¼ until the far turn, swung wide but didn’t gain. MR MCDREAMY stayed inside in last and also couldn’t make much impression late.
FOURTH RACE – MATS PALEMA left between horses and settled in third, gapped through and past the second quarter, in gear 5/8 and grinded up, ducked in the pocket past midturn, up the Pocono Pike to the lead midstretch, withstood the late charge of BLACK HOPE. The latter was last of the main pack, moved out with cover 11/16, wide in the lane and moving well late. ZETTE FLAME was outleft but used track geometry to put foes in behind, didn’t have pressure on the lead but still was overhauled. A ONE A gapped a gapper midrace and never was in the main contest. BEETLEJUICE was the first to show, three-wide to turn one and then into the pocket 3/16, started to go loose 11/16. DON’T I WISH broke 50 yards before the start.
FIFTH RACE – DIXIECHICK HANOVER went out between horses to secure the pocket journey, stayed tight, outside late turn and right by, easy winner. INFANTE DEO moved uncovered past the 5/8 and gained, tucked in third on the turn and used the Pocono Pike to take second. EL KISMET was three-wide to turn one and on top past the 1/8 in by far the fastest quarter of the race, didn’t have any punch left late. BUCKET HEAD stayed flat but offered little. DIVINE MOONSHINE broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field nearing the first turn, but then broke again 3/16. MONEY MATTERS had some early speed, jumped while inside 11/16.
SIXTH RACE – CHARLIE BAR stayed in third, pinned in on the far turn, went to the deep Pocono Pike and easily proved the best of these. RAMSES pushed a foe past the 1/8 then yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, never got to second until the final couple of steps. KAACHING KAACHING left well, took over control past the 1/8, slowed the second quarter, didn’t have pressure, but also didn’t have enough to last to the line. MANUKA came uncovered 11/16, gained some ground while trotting steadily to the finish. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE and DR TRUFFER raced near the back of the field. SURE BIRD was already disconnected by the ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK went into the early pocket past the 1/8, vacated third nearing the ¾, trotted a good last quarter and drew away. CLASSIC VENTURE took the early lead, pushed a foe a bit then yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and clearly second. EV’S GIRL was three-wide early, bypassed a 3/16 three-tuck to press on to the lead, had to go 28.1 into the wind to gain command, paid the price in the stretch. BANZAI AS was no factor most of the way, outside far turn, almost made the distant third. SILVER JAGUAR did not keep up in the last quarter. DAYTONA DREAMIN was already gapping at the back not much past the ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – KAUAI KING left, was two-wide then went a bit wider to be sure to clear a breaker, pressed on to gain command 3/8 with taps, won the race with a 27.3 third quarter during which nobody could make a dent in his lead, comfortably. SEND IT IN JEROME left, looked like he might make the pocket even before a rival broke, stayed in, outside late turn, found a good fast last gear but belatedly. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE had the pole and used it well, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up past the ¾. HONALI sat midpack, gapped 11/16. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO never was on the radar. AMERICAN ZESTAR was trying to keep the pocket closed when breaking before the 3/16 and going to the infield, regained the course and sat at the back of the field, couldn’t do much, placed for causing interference to AMERICAN ARTIST K. The latter was wide around the breaker then made an “ix” to the 3/16.
NINTH RACE – POWERFUL YIELD held onto the pocket, lengths ahead of the third horse through the third quarter, outside headstretch, wore down KING CAST. The latter went to the lead in a good quarter, was the lead horse in a two-horse breakaway down the back, fought against the winner but finally succumbed. MOSCONI HANOVER followed a backstretch mover around a gapper while well off the pace, two-wide most of the turn and then three-wide late turn, nicely. ANDOVERS TOUCH was the first to move to the 5/8 to clear the gapper, tucked third 11/16, Pocono Pike, OK. LAKEVIEW TAMMY never entered the picture. LATOKA was four-wide leaving, still three-wide 3/16 when making a break. PERFECT LOVER was three-wide leaving, took back to tuck third at the ¼, started gapping 3/8, fell way back.
Sep 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind early … GOLDEN GESTURE dashed right to the lead, was in total control of this group with his two 27.3 back quarters. BRINGITONHOME N moved up steadily after coming uncovered from sixth at the half, retucked in the pocket, no threat but clear for second. SPORTSMANSHIP squeezed out down the back to avoid a shuffle as the pocketsitter gave way, got inside late on the turn, far ahead of the rest for third. DARK HORSE tried to go with the winner but couldn’t quite go that fast, three-wide midturn, won a photo for fourth over MISTER TRUTH. The latter was shuffled some behind the fader then squeezed out just past midturn, not that much. LITTLE ADMIRAL was wide early then taken all the way back to last, had a touch of belated pace. SAULSBROOK LANNY never featured. HIGHVIEW CONALL N went to the early pocket, all done before the ¾.
SECOND RACE – CLASSICALITY was three-wide to the first turn and on top 3/16, set wind-appropriate fractions, responded to the challenge of the first-over then was left with a huge lead when that one broke. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK was trapped in as two horses broke away late backstretch, finally got to the Pocono Pike and was up for second. O JONNIE came out on the second turn but couldn’t go with cover at all. TEDDY BROSEVELT was stuck in a two-wide non-flow, wide, a bit at the end, came back with “b.e.” ARCH CREDIT was away alertly, yielded, couldn’t keep pace with the duel from nearing the far turn. NAMJE went raw at the half and went 27.3 down the back to fight with the winner, but broke midturn. GREEK LEGEND had little to offer.
THIRD RACE – CHILLIN BYTHE POOL was in front at the 1/8, never really challenged and preserved the lead to the wire. RACING LIFE yielded for the pocket, stayed close throughout while second-best. INHERENT RESOLVE stayed in and was shuffled to last, went to the Pocono Pike and outclosed a pair for third. SOUTHWIND MOLLY gapped in front of the stands then narrowed in, had little left late. CHEEKIE BABE also left an early gap, then backed out second-over, three-wide late turn, evenly. NOTHING TOSEE HERE moved uncovered from last and worked up to the saddlepad of the pocket horse by midturn, but soon thereafter started to fade.
FOURTH RACE – WILBERFORCE dashed out to the lead, parked his main foe to the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole, loose most of the third quarter but tightened in, up the inside and caught SOUTHWIND FROST late. The latter was out to a very fast quarter to seize control, slowed the half then took off again and had a clear lead until the stretch, tired just a little late. ZOOMING stayed in, best of the others. CIMERONKEN was second-over at the half, three-wide midturn, never made up enough ground. LIBERO HANOVER had little to offer here. SLATED TO WIN was in very tight quarters to the 1/8 and had a wheel come to him, made an “ix,” recovered and remounted an uncovered offensive that he could sustain to the far turn, then tired. MUAY HANOVER was in tight quarters on the first turn when his left wheel was struck and had the tire knocked off, pulled up.
FIFTH RACE – JEREMES GENERAL sped away to command, yielded well past the fast 1/4 to sit the two-hole, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midpond then had enough to defeat HALF A BILLION. The latter was shuffled to last as the outer tier formed early, joined it fourth-over, advanced in a blindswitch then was three-wide with cover far turn, wider midstretch and finished very strongly. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was looped early and was hard-used to get the front 5/16, had hounding pressure much of the rest of the way, held OK. I AM GOLDEN was out with cover early then spotted fourth at the 1/8, sat in and was shuffled badly, spent the first half of the stretch gradually angling wide, then was flying once straightened away. PAY LATER was third-over, advanced inside a drifting horse late backstretch, three-wide late on the turn, not quite enough. CHANCELLORCULLEN N stayed in, had inside room in the lane but didn’t show much of a response. SUNBURST CRUZE was outside near the back when getting in gear 3/16, went up to the leader in the slow second quarter and got to his wheel nearing the 5/8, stayed there until getting tired in the stretch. CODE MEISTER moved from last to be second-over, drifted three-wide past the 5/8 and fell back.
SIXTH RACE – JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE roared away to the lead, yielded for the pocket 3/8, to the Pocono Pike and roared away from his opposition again. VITANI AS was far off the top two until past the 3/8, went outside 11/16 and challenged the leader, edged that one for a distant second. TW LAUXMONT worked to the early pocket far off the leader, gradually got close and moved 5/16 to the front 3/8, rated the half, had pressure on the far turn, lost the photo for second. EVANNA stayed in, blocked on the turn, finally could split horses and had mild trot. UNABATING could not keep with cover on the far turn. KANDY KORN could not keep with cover down the backstretch and ducked in. MONEY MAVEN broke approaching the start.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind has diminished … LINCOLN JAMES was three-wide leaving and went on to take over 3/16, dealt with the first-over, urged early stretch to draw clear, then withstood CAPTAIN MALICIOUS. The latter hit the front at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t catch the leader, clear of the rest. SOUTHWIND DREDGE moved with cover past the 5/8, wide headstretch, OK at the end. HYPNOTIC DREAM was last most of the way, unwound with some kick at the end. SI SEMALU went around a gapper and retucked, didn’t factor late. HOW ARE YEE JOHN got early position, moved uncovered 5/8, couldn’t sustain the bid. GRANTOR HANOVER gapped down the backstretch, then had no clear path despite searching for one in the lane.
EIGHTH RACE – BAY MEADOWS made the lead then yielded to sit the two-hole, came out in the stretch, was passed by the Pikeshooting CAPTAIN TERROR but stayed game in a 27.2 kicker and put a nose over the line first. The latter sat third-in and had all manner of horses outside him on the turn, bolted through when the inside opened and got a short lead late, just outnodded on the money. JAGGER ROCKS was parked 3/16, rolled along, had a clear lead early stretch and came home well but was outsprinted. DIVISION BELL moved out into a blindswitch past the 5/8, didn’t clear until the top three were gone in the fast last quarter, had some horse. LEAR SEELSTER was uncovered to the 3/8, moved up but never quite reached the leader, fell back. ABSOLUTE INTENT never made his presence felt. P L MUNSON backed out to second-over then went three-wide coming off turn two, remained in the three-path unable to gain enough, tired.
NINTH RACE – TALL POPPY N tucked third at the 1/8, one of several leaving a gap in quarter two, uncovered 5/8, put in a big challenge and took the lead past the ¾, stayed clear. ABIGAIL DAWN showed first but was denied the top, took back and sat the pocket, wedged out midturn to avoid losing more ground to a shuffle, did well. BRING ME DIAMONDS was behind gapping cover, three-wide far turn and next in line. THE NEXT THREE were near the back and never a factor. STOWAWAY HANOVER wouldn’t yield in a 26.1 opener, set the pace, gave way early far turn. CANDY ON THE BEACH made the 4-hole past the 1/8, moved out again just past the 5/8 but gapped and clogged several looking to advance in that path.
TENTH RACE – DAAMERICANSKY made the front 3/16 and had no problem fronting this field. ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN came out off the second turn, moved three-wide before the 5/8 and was left out three-deep a ways as a horse came off the rail, got that one’s cover before the ¾ but then went three-way again midturn, just second late over MUSCLE MACH A. The latter kept a hole shut into turn two, then popped out past the 5/8, was left behind by the winner and couldn’t go enough to get the inside pocket, caught for second. MORE THAN KUTE was not prominent, edged another groundsaver, VAGANOVA, for fourth. CAPTAIN KEEN went out to the lead then yielded to the winner, stayed tight in the pocket until nearing the ¾, then tired. STOP ACTION and DASH POINT HANOVER both started slowly and were not in contact. CENTURY ENFORCER was looped and left outside, found no hole, faded down the backstretch.
