Sep 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ROLLIN IN NEW YORK left and yielded, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, drew clear past the 5/8 and finished under a hold while pacing twin 27.1s home in an outstanding performance. ARTISTS RUFFLES moved with cover that never got near the leader, three-wide past midturn, along for second. KILLER MARTINI advanced up the inside and was clear in third. PICKLED PREACHER was three-wide leaving, made the top 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, lost contact late on the backstretch. ROCK KING DEO moved third-over but was never in the hunt. PEMBROKE JOEY left between horses and yielded, came back out 5/8 but lost ground. URBAN RENEWAL had no say in this one.
SECOND RACE – SORTIE started grinding at the half and went the third quarter in 27.3 to reach contention, stayed game to the wire and earned the decision. MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ for the lead, set a quick pace, couldn’t resist the winner but held second in a three-way photo. THE LIONKING AS left between horses, took a tuck third, moved outside towards headstretch, had good late trot but kicked in just a little too late. GEMOLOGIST was innermost of the leavers, maintained the pocket, couldn’t gain that much. KING ALPHONSO never achieved prominence; nor did JUST MAYBE THE ONE. BANK BOX TREASURE moved second-over but soon was gapping. CHIEF JUSTICE trailed.
THIRD RACE – Wind fluctuating, race to race, between being a stretch headwind and being calm … STELLAR BB ducked quickly into third, moved outside ¾ and quickly went up to take over and draw away. INDIGO ART was in the far-back second half of the field, underway to the ¾ and gained on the turn, then ducked inside for the stretch and made up a lot of territory. SOMEBEACH BARON made two speed moves and rolled on at a quick clip, could do nothing with the winner and then lost place late. TJ BLAST blasted away from the rail and forced a tuck, yielded to the favorite, not much left in the last 1/8. ALEX TYE backed outside on the far turn but couldn’t gain. RHP gapped early and then from the 5/8 onward.
FOURTH RACE – ARTIE’S IDEAL was looped leaving and worked up into the pocket at the 1/8, saw in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and just did get past a fighting SNOWBALL’S EXPRESS. The latter circled inside leavers for command, sped up at the half to keep the quick backstretch challenger to the outside, regained control, was very reluctant to give it up late in a good showing. SOMBODYITREASURE stayed in then backed out 5/8 when it appeared the brusher might go to the lead, back inside on the turn, then angled out and wide headstretch, kicked in a bit belatedly (the last quarter was 29). IMAROCNROLLEGEND N tucked fourth past the 1/8, gunned up on the second turn and paced his third quarter in 26.1 trying to clear to the lead but was kept outside, held on pretty well. PRAIRIE PANTHER stayed in, had stretch room but not too much response. PATERNITY SUIT A moved out but couldn’t go with the streaking challenger. MAJOR OFFENSE offered little offense.
FIFTH RACE – THE CANDYMAN CAN was outside and challenged very hard with much exertion to get the lead, finally did so not much before the half in fast fractions, was challenged on both sides in the stretch but held well, claimed for a Pocono record $50,000. REGAL SON was off the gate until just before the start, rushed through to defend positioning, moved raw 9/16 and challenged, fell back a bit into the stretch but came back on with admirable vigor. CURIOUS CORTEZ made the lead at the 1/8 and kept going fast to stretch out the winner, finally relinquished the lead on the second turn, stayed tight, Pocono Pike, half-step shy. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N stayed in, to the far inside in the lane, OK. BELLOWS BINGE looked to improve position past the start but took back when the pole horse came through, third-in, angled wide headstretch but couldn’t gain. BLOW A CLOUD N wasn’t able to stay with this opposition.
SIXTH RACE – KEYSTONE SERGEANT was behind early gappers and started raw on the second turn, went right up to challenge the pacesetter late backstretch and got by early on the turn, stayed in control. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was on top nearing the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, got out behind the winner as he cleared and could retuck in the pocket, Pocono Pike, steadily but second, well ahead of the rest. POND JUMPER was three-wide to the 1/8, continuing on to 3/16 command, put up a fast quarter and half, had no defense against the attacking winner ¾. CHOCO CHARLIE left some, then gapped, tightened, back out to second-over 11/16 but immediately gapped cover. BUTTER TOFFEE struggled to stay close. CHUCKY DE VIE was wide past the start and went offstride.
SEVENTH RACE – FEHERTY moved second-over and followed cover well, wide in the stretch, just nosed SPORTS TEEN in the last step. The latter was between horses early and tucked third at the 1/8, moved raw early on the backstretch and grinded up, reached the leader to the ¾ and had an advantage but not the pegs on the turn, drifted out slightly in the lane and was just nipped. FAR BETTER sat in, moved outside late turn then angled back in for the drive and was gaining. BEACH FIRE K left enough to defend the pocket, evenly late. MAJOR DESIRE was wide early, circled the field to the lead by the 1/8 in a 26 quarter, didn’t get pressure until the ¾, but the rapid opener may have taken its toll. A STUD NAMED SAM was tucking fourth when breaking just before the 3/16.
EIGHTH RACE – Stretch headwind evident in this race … BENJI’S BEST rode up second-over, wide headstretch, drew away from these. BLACKLIGHT followed the cover of the winner, couldn’t stay with it but got past the others. BULLVILLE TERROR was uncovered into turn two, went in 26.4 down the back to challenge hard for the lead, tired in the lane. BABES DIG ME went to the lead 3/16, yielded to the brusher and sat the pocket, was in tight quarters with CAPTAIN CASH headstretch, got clear in the Pocono Pike but had little response. The latter left well and pushed early then yielded, sitting third-in looking over his options headstretch when in tight quarters and made a nasty break, recovered with good speed late. PARMESAN N quarter-moved, got a fairly soft half, then had high heat on him the second half, nothing left in the stretch.
NINTH RACE – DING DING DINGER was third-over, four-wide headstretch and finished nicely (in a 29.1 last quarter; notice today that despite whatever wind, the trend has been anti-speed and slowish last quarters vs. the third splits). LORD OF MISRULE was uncovered at the half but soon got cover and followed it, three-wide late turn, never ahead as outkicked but did well. AMERICAN CHROME was three-wide to turn one to the front 3/16, rolled on the lead, bore out in the stretch and couldn’t make the lead hold up. CLASS SIX advanced inside down the backstretch, mild pace in the lane. LOUD SPLASH stayed in and never was a big factor. DIALAMARA left, yielded, moved raw off turn two, hounded the leader but didn’t threaten him. SULLIVAN pushed out well, yielded, came up empty the last 3/16.
TENTH RACE – MORAIRTIME moved out at the half and trotted up in 27.1 to put pressure on the leader by the 5/8, had a slight advantage on the turn but couldn’t cross over, but finally took control. KENOGAMI COCO was third-over from last, came on strongly in the stretch. FASHION CREDITOR was out past the 1/8 to take over, rated the second quarter then sped up as the winner came on, held on decently. TWO AM made the lead then yielded for the pocket, seemed to struggle the last 3/16. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT was never in it. SAY YOU DO was second-over, looked to be digging down for more when going offstride soon into the stretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – JK MUSICMAN rushed away to take over at the 1/8, set the pace without much pressure, clear far turn to midstretch, then had enough to hold off WALTER MITTY. The latter left some, stayed in, got right to the Pocono Pike and narrowed in. MARCO BEACH raced up to the pocket at the 1/8, gained a little in the stretch, well-clear of the rest. FEELING CAM LUCKY was wide early then took back to follow cover, lost that at the 1/8, made the 3-hole at the ¼, raw again at the ½, didn’t get to the winner, evenly. LAREDO TORPEDO N went evenly late after a rail journey. AMAZON started uncovered 3/8, got cover at the half, but even gapped that mediocre cover at the ¾. ROCK THREE TIMES was not heard from. REYS N A RUCKUS and BARNABAS were both part of a two-wide tier that went nowhere.
Sep 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – BLONDE ONTHE BEACH took back early, rushed up uncovered 3/8 and was head-to-head with the leader from the half until headstretch, where she could finally got a clear advantage, impressive. UPTOWN LADY N was third-over behind gapping cover, wide late turn and did very well late. MORROCKIN K moved second-over but soon was gapping, picked it up some in the last 3/16 but still outkicked for second. NATCHEZ BELLE left and pushed a foe past a fast ¼, sat the pocket, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, could not rebuild any momentum. THREE WAY SPLIT was left out to the 5/16 in fast time before getting the lead, didn’t get too much of a breather before the winner was right in her face, gave way late turn. REMY AURORA was parked with cover early, slid in third past the 5/16, gapped ¾. THE OTHER PAIR were never prominent.
SECOND RACE — Wind was blowing against horses in the stretch … PERTH ANGEL DE VIE was innermost of three main leavers, saw one break then let the other one go 3/16 to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and took over past midstretch. KAZANS POWER started uncovered into turn two and speed-grinded a 27.1 third split, kept on digging in to the line in a gritty try. SWEET HEART AS was between horses early, made the front 3/16, really slowed Q2 then sped up Q3, held on to the lead well into the lane. MISS VET HANOVER went evenly the last 3/16 inside. SO LONG HANOVER checked to avoid the early breaker, second-over, couldn’t quite stay with cover in the fast third panel, OK. ISLAND LILY moved out on the far turn, had finishing speed. CAN’T SAY NO was bothered early, never got into the main action. WORTHY OF HONOR was leaving three-wide when taking a nasty step into turn one, bothered others, regained stride but was taken back to last, reported back with “b.e.”
THIRD RACE – BALI BEACH went to the front at the 1/8 and was in control of the throttle, stayed game to hold off a whole host of late challengers. OHARE HANOVER used the rail well in defending the pocket, a bit loose in the two-hole at a couple of points, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite go by. ROSA’S REBEL stayed in and advanced, solid late in the deep Pike. MOHAWK SEELSTER backed out on the far turn, finished very nicely if a hair late getting in high gear. SPINNAKER HANOVER went uncovered 5/8 and kept digging to the wire. BUDDHA BEACH couldn’t keep up at several points.
FOURTH RACE – LADY RESORT AS was out with cover early, picked the 4-hole 3/16, was uncovered off turn two and grinded up to challenge, got a clear lead early stretch and was not threatened late. PAINT BY NUMBERS sat in, then moved out behind the winner when the second-over broke past midturn, between horses late and finished well. MYREANNA left and got into the pocket 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, OK. LILYBET stayed on the rail until almost mid-far turn, finished solidly. KRISTIELEIGH was soon in front, forced tucks then slowed the half, still couldn’t hold on in the last 1/8. GINGER TREE DAR did not factor. CIAO BELLA was always far back. CARAMELA HANOVER was in good second-over position midturn when miscuing. MISS MAYTRIX was well off the main action when breaking early on the far turn.
FIFTH RACE – MAKE A SCENE was unhurried while looped and outside early, in gear 3/16, made the top 3/8 with taps, opened a good lead at the ¾ and could not be caught. AILEY HANOVER was originally sitting in but when the outside foe faded she came raw 5/8, to the pocket late turn and tried the winner up the inside in the stretch, good but settled for the deuce. CAVIART LUCIA sat in then backed out behind the place horse midturn as the pocketsitter backed up, couldn’t go with the top two but was far ahead of the rest. TSM PRINCESS LEXI came from last to be next. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT was never on the radar. JENN’S GIRL left well to 1/8 command, strung the winner out the next ¼ mile before yielding, and perhaps that early usage caused her to back up ¾. AMERICA WINS came out at the half but was soon back inside as having no gain.
SIXTH RACE – ME TOO BABY was on top at the 1/8, yielded to the early mover and sat the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and trotted away. SPIT AND VINEGAR stayed in, behind the winner in the Pike, couldn’t trot with that one but went on steadily to get second. WHAT A DAME came with a big rush approaching the 5/8 and got cover after that point, wide headstretch, good outing. SNOWFALLA was forwardly-placed, uncovered 11/16, got to the wheel of the leader far turn but no closer, held evenly. ALWAYSBMYGG controlled the pace with two moves, not enough in the latter stages. FINLANDIA broke just after the gate sprang, couldn’t get back into the main action. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was not prominent. ETRA DE VIE was very wide leaving, took back to a midpack tuck but then jumped before the ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – SILVER TAIL sat in, moved out far turn, went way wide headstretch and overpowered these easily to give the noted trainer Andrew Harris his first sulky win in twelve years. ODDS ON CARLY gapped second-over, but went along steadily to take second. KEYSTONE DELIGHT moved uncovered into turn two, went 27.1 uncovered down the back to challenge the leader and kept applying pressure, took a brief lead in the stretch but then tired some. ROCKIN GOOD TIME left, yielded, couldn’t keep up far turn. MIKI ROSE left between horses and got the pocket, stayed right with the leader, went to the Pocono Pike but had no more left to give. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was three-wide just past the 1/8 to two-wide to the top 3/16, set the pace, got pressure just before the ¾, faded. TSM WESTERN SOUL gapped at the back.
EIGHTH RACE – DAGON HANOVER made the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and was along for the triumph. PRACTICAL CAT sat in, went to the deep Pike, gained, might have been in tight quarters. TUFF TO BE LINDY made two moves to control the pace, not quite enough at crunch time. CHARMING BANK swung wide off the final turn, gained rapidly past midstretch, then seemed to flatten slightly. STORM BRINGER brought a 27.1 third quarter with the wind to challenge the leader, fell back in the stretch. CHING CHING LUCKY made a break early, caught the field and almost got a check. LAA DEE GAA gapped at many points, then fell way back.
NINTH RACE – PINEBUSH HANOVER, who suffered a broken front hopplehanger somewhere along the way, set the pace, urged strongly late to hold off the inside charge of TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK. The latter sat the pocket, charged up the inside and was gaining late. COUNTER OFFER stayed in, was hemmed in by the first-over until midstretch, then showed a bit more speed. BENEVOLENCE pulled uncovered 11/16, got to the winner’s wheel but no closer, tired a little midstretch. INTENTIONS wasn’t part of the picture here. BRAVE ELEMENT broke an 1/8 before the start. GRATEFUL KISS had a problem and was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – RHETT SEELSTER had to check at the 1/8 as TELL THEM LOU yielded the lead abruptly, moved uncovered at the half, went up in 27.1 to challenge, got the pocket early turn, back out for more early stretch and strongly to just nip RED POWER. The latter was looped early, strung out to the 3/8 in a fast half to gain control, had a clear lead much of the backstretch and through the turn, just caught right at the tail end of it. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE got the top at the 1/8, made the favorite work then yielded 3/8, started gapping off the second turn and gave the pocket past the ¾, showed some renewed vigor late. TELL THEM LOU made the lead, slowed abruptly for a couple of steps yielding, sat in, couldn’t get back into the main action. ACTOR HANOVER passed the rest and almost got fourth. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was behind the gapping cover of TREVOR’S ACE and ahead of FULL MOON BEACH; none of the three reached contention.
ELEVENTH RACE – RED REDEMPTION left swiftly to take command looked ready to yield to ONE AFTER NINE when that one made a break at the ¼, did yield to his recovery move near the half, inherited the lead to the 5/8 when the leader broke again, under constant pressure, held on gamely in a blanket finish. QUICKEST HANOVER rushed through for early forward positioning, was in the pocket at two different points, Pocono Pike, not far off. GROSSETO AS was underway at the half to battle one horse, instead fought with his successor, held very gamely to the line. CAVIART EMMA, rough at several points, was second-over, gained late but never really seemed to find top gear. SERRANO VOLO was looped and wide early, drifted even wider then took back to last, stayed inside, deep Pike, pretty good race considering the early misadventure. I LOVE MY COUNTRY backed out to third-over, wide headstretch, only two lengths off but not getting a check. ONE AFTER NINE was looped, making a play for the lead at the ¼ when breaking, got back on gait and rushed up to take over the top at the half, but ran before the 5/8 and was taken to the infield.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was in front past the 1/8, rated the half, then had nobody come after him until the far turn – and none of those made up any ground in a 26.3 last quarter. DA GHETTO WIZARD was innermost of three leavers, maintained the pocket, edged out past midturn, did well to hold his ground. BEACH TIME BOY left between horses, tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, couldn’t gain in the smoking kicker. BOLTMAN came out from midpack far turn, couldn’t reach. THE COOKIE MONSTER started to gap 5/8. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MISTER WALKER avoided early trouble, then was second-over, wide in the stretch and trotted away from these easily. THINK I CAN was in the early pocket, tightened in whenever the pacesetter opened a few lengths, to the Pocono Pike, second-best. MR BLUMETTI stayed connected inside, to the deep Pike, gained some but was rough late. COMMAND THE MARKET set sail on the early lead, then rated, couldn’t sustain in the lane. JOE EXOTIC was uncovered at the half, gained some, then fell back some. LEGION OF HONOR was way off the gate and never caught the main group. CHECK MY SCORE broke early in the race. CREATE broke an 1/8 before, had just caught the back of the field when having to go inside a breaker and jumped again
Sep 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Strong stretch headwind to start … PHILOSOPHIZER protected the pocket early, then quarter-moved, backed off the half into the wind, then took off and won easily. AMERICAN ZESTAR moved outside nearing the second turn to avoid an “accordion,” grinded up steadily, no threat to the winner but kept going for place. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE had steady if not-rapidly-gaining cover, went on well late. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO got forward position, stayed in, pinned in on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike, not too bad late. HONALI was last, in very tight quarters nearing the line. JOINT ACCOUNT made the top 3/16, yielded, pocket, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16.
SECOND RACE – WATKINS made the lead then yielded to sit a very tight two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, found superior strides in the last 50 yards and was along. KATKIN AND COKE went to the lead past the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased, held the lead a long way into the stretch, just caught. O JONNIE was uncovered early on the backstretch, ducked into the 3-hole into the final turn, out again late turn, couldn’t make any further progress. BATTENBERG gapped most of the mile. POWERFUL YIELD moved out with cover but could not keep up. ANDOVERS TOUCH was no factor. HALLANET went offstride going to the first turn.
THIRD RACE – KAACHING KAACHING wanted the top but took the pocket at the 1/8, loose behind the leader until approaching the ¾, got closer and closer, went to the Pocono Pike and was along late. MANUKA took control from the pole and forced the winner to tuck, has a clear lead in the middle half, ran out of gas midstretch. SURE BUD gapped but stayed flat. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN broke 50 yards before the start, did well to catch the back of the field. AMADEUS gapped a gapper, outside late turn but broke.
FOURTH RACE – IMONABEACH HANOVER started raw on turn two, in gear 9/16 and paced the backstretch in a wind-aided 26.3 to clear 11/16, opened a big lead as a “wedge” formed, saw NUTTINBUTHEBEST shake clear headstretch and rapidly narrow in, but was too far ahead. The latter made the lead 3/16, kept a foe out until before the 3/16, stayed in, then was “wedged in” as the pocketsitter and first-over tired side-by-side, found inside room nearing headstretch as the pocketsitter bore out, finished with a sharp burst. BYGONE HANOVER couldn’t go with the cover of the winner and was left raw, best in a multihorse photo for third. SOME KINDA ANGEL gapped in last until before the half, widest in the lane with some forward foot. HESTON HONEY took her time getting to the top, got there before the 3/8, yielded 11/16, bore out headstretch. KISSIMMEE BEACH left, yielded 3/8, sat in, couldn’t get into contention.
FIFTH RACE – POUR MEA DOUBLE moved from last into turn two, picked up cover before the 5/8, lost the cover on the turn, tucked for a spell, then came out again in the stretch and won comfortably. ZETTE FLAME got the top before the 3/16, drew clear into the backstretch, saw a first-over come up and then go offstride, good to be second, far ahead of anybody else. BEETLEJUICE yielded for the two-hole, started to gap off the second turn, did stay flat for third. PERFECT TITAN went up belatedly and tucked third 3/16, uncovered from behind the gapping two-holer before the 5/8, outside the leader into the turn but ruined his chance with a break. PLAYER ONE was gapping when breaking 5/8.
SIXTH RACE — Wind backing off … LADY’S NITE K was looped, raced up into the pocket at the 1/8, waited for the stretch and moved outside, won easily. TSM EMILIA T made the front easily, got dawdling fractions, couldn’t stave off the winner but well clear for second. AMBERS CHAMPION was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked 3/16, backed outside on the turn and then went three-wide, won a photo for third over PRAIRIE TRINKET. The latter came first-over 5/8, gained some until into the turn, then flattened out. DIVINE MOONSHINE offered little. FASHION PRINCESS went offstride at the 3/8. TICKET TAB, in the back throughout, lost significant ground in the last ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – SEVEYOND was immediately on top, hung a foe just past the ¼ and yielded to sit in the pocket, moved out behind the first-over before midturn, wide and trotted away late. COOL MISS WENDY finally settled in fifth near the ¼, gained from the ¾ through the turn while staying inside, Pocono Pike, decisioned the rest. FORTUNAPEDIA gapped much of the middle part of the race, finished in a higher gear. NONNA BELLA was uncovered past the 5/8, had the lead on the turn but couldn’t cross over, gave way. IDA SHAPIRO was outside until just past the ¼ for the top, was challenged at the ¾, had little left late. OK SUNNY was at the back of the main pack when miscuing late turn. WILD KAT G broke past the half. PRAIRIE GINGER jumped just before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – SHADOWS DANCERS was looped, went on with it three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide before grabbing command 3/16, pushed a challenger a ways before yielding for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike then proved the strongest of a threesome late. BETTE TINA looped everybody from the outside post, saw two go by, moved outside to challenge before the 11/16, never ahead of pacesetting LIGHTNING LEIA until two steps before the wire, after the winner had gone by. The latter was double-looped while remaining outside to the first turn, went up to challenge and after being pushed almost to the 3/8 made the top, didn’t quite have enough but far ahead of the rest. CANDY PAINT stayed connected to the front three until the 11/16, when she unplugged. INHERENT RESOLVE, far back behind gappers, got around the rest for a check. THE OTHERS never menaced.
NINTH RACE – Stretch headwind has picked back up … PUERTO RICO yielded at the quarter to sit in the two-hole, used the Pocono Pike and was an easy winner. NAMJE moved uncovered from last in the main pack 5/8, grinded on and won a three-way photo for second. ALLY WAY CAST was outside to the ¼ for the lead, rated the half, couldn’t sustain her advantage to the wire, nipped for place. SUM FOR ALL tucked fourth at the 1/8, backed out to follow cover 11/16, ducked inside in the stretch, came up a bit shy. SPEED IT broke at the start, was taken wide and ran the first quarter, settled and caught the field, couldn’t gain, placed for violation of the breaking rule. BALLET BARRE was gapping on the far turn when breaking and going to the infield.
TENTH RACE – CLASSIC VENTURE was looped, made the lead at the quick quarter, went on, got pressure 5/8 home but held together very gamely at $78.20. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was looped and wide to the 1/8, settled in fourth, moved out at the half then was tight on cover when he got it 5/8, badgaited far turn and gapped, then had a resurgence late to just miss. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO had a forward spot, was able to go up into the pocket past the 5/8 when the two-holer pulled, Pocono Pike, not far off. NICE STUFF got a good inside trip, clear in the stretch, evenly. KEYSTONE THUNDER never factored. GERARD outleft everybody, let the winner go at the ¼, vacated the pocket 5/8 and challenged, tired. SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN wound up third-over, three-wide mid-far turn, folded. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was last when breaking past the ¼.
Sep 23, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Slight stretch tailwind to start … IMAGINEUWITHOUTME tucked third at the 1/8, then quarter-moved to 3/8 command, maintained a solid lead to the wire. JEREMES GENERAL paced through at the rail to force an early rival to tuck, yielded to the winner, seemed all-out but game to not lose any further stretch ground. MEADOWBROOK FLASH went up second-over, three-wide before late turn, closed very well but had too much ground to make up. SPORTSMANSHIP was first to show but couldn’t clear the pole horse and tucked second 3/16, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. I AM GOLDEN began the outside train into turn two, advanced down the backstretch but never reached the leader, held well. CODE MEISTER was never prominent. CHANCELLORCULLEN N went third-over but gapped. LIMA RAIDER sat in then backed out towards the ¾ and soon went wide, couldn’t get closer.
SECOND RACE – LAREDO TORPEDO N was moving raw towards turn two, advanced down the back against the wind and sailed by ¾, all by himself late. ROCKIN THE SHADES was between horses leaving, yielded for the early pocket 3/16, backed outside ¾ when the inner tier folded, came on steadily late to just outfoot HYPNOTICDREAM for second. The latter was outside in a tier not advancing that well, went widest for the drive and closed strongly, just missing second. LUZIANA backed out on the second turn to follow cover, couldn’t stay with that cover and was left uncovered ¾, not enough. MESSIER SEELSTER showed some speed, then moved 5/16 to the lead before turn two, surrendered without much of a fight ¾ and backed up. YOUR MOM N EM was very wide to the first turn, three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to the lead 3/16, yielded before turn two, got stuck behind the tiring pacesetter on the turn, but had no response when finally gotten to the Pocono Pike. TWINCREEKS JESSE was gapping by the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – WILLIAM STAR sat third-in, got access to the Pocono Pike when the pocketsitter swung out headstretch, trotted by strongly. WHOUCALNCRAZY took the two-hole to the 1/8, outside headstretch, never ahead but went on to the wire steadily. KOLIN immediately assumed the mantle and got a rival in behind him, set the pace as he pleased, passed inside before midstretch and then photoed out of being a semiKolin. UNABATING moved outside past the 5/8, didn’t gain much, and was abating late. LAKEVIEW TAMMY moved out ¾, gapped, went back in, got rough, then broke headstretch.
FOURTH RACE – LIFELUVN YANKEE came from third on a quarter-move, had the main competition duck inside her in the stretch, finished out in 27.4 to preserve the victory. SEAHUNTSIDEALBEACH raced up three-wide to turn one, took the early pocket past the 1/8, came back out 5/8 and gained, went inside for the stretch and tried hard to the wire. BETTING HANNAH was outside down the back but couldn’t range up into contention, was doing a bit better late. CHEEKIE BABE went evenly. SEBOOMOOK BEAUTY went away to the lead, yielded to the winner, stayed close to just before the ¾. SWEET HELLO never factored. HEAVEN SENT ME was off the gate and never close.
FIFTH RACE – MARCO BEACH was on top before the 1/8, yielded to ride in the two-hole, moved out early stretch, had the stronger late kick. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS pulled the pocket off turn one and set the pace, handled the first-over, but was outbrushed late. SI SEMALU, on a line at some points, sat in, evenly. SAULSBROOK LANNY came out and was asked 11/16, advanced to past midturn then flattened.
SIXTH RACE – CHECKERED PAST gapped early, then tightened and went up uncovered before turn two, went 27.1 down the back to gain a short lead into the turn, which he widened through the early far turn to clear inside midturn, in control here. SWEETONTHEBEACH caused a lineup, fought with the winner, did surrender the lead on the turn but then held staunchly. IDEAL IN CASH had the pocket, locked in as the winner went by, to the Pocono Pike, OK. TSM ARTEMIS T was second-over, couldn’t go with the winner as she cleared, not bad late. IAQUINTA was third-over but couldn’t go enough. BEAM M W was stuck inside, didn’t show a great deal late. THE BOSS’ WIFE left to challenge for the lead but saw she wouldn’t have the speed and the holes were filled, so took all the way back to “her” spot in the lineup at the ¼, not much thereafter.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind has calmed … FRAC was first to the lead, saw two go by, waited, had access to the Pocono Pike and still had good trot after the fast pace. STOP RESISTIN moved off the first turn to 3/8 command and put down quick numbers for these, powerless to stall the winner. TW LAUXMONT raced up to the lead 3/16, yielded 3/8 to sit second, outside to headstretch, bore out and lost ground. LIBERO HANOVER sat in, gapped ¾. WHAT THAT IS was a weak first-over and never got close. EVANNA was last, was behind the weak cover, three-wide far turn but didn’t gain.
EIGHTH RACE – JUXTA COWGIRL was kept out 3/16 for the lead, slowed quarter two then picked up the pace stringing out the opposition down the back, held off the stretch charge of PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL. The latter was the innermost of leavers and kept the winner out long enough that the other leaver had to back up and tuck third or face spending a long time on the rim, moved out headstretch, narrowed in some. ABIGAIL DAWN as mentioned was out with cover early, forced to take back to third 3/16, outside midturn, best of the rest. VH PRINCESS BREA got an early forward spot, inside, fair late. GEORGIE MARTIN N moved uncovered from far back, didn’t do badly. TRAFFIC JAM had no say in this. A CRAFTY LADY was last in the main pack, had late pace from a very hard spot. YES DOUBLE DOWN broke before the ¼.
NINTH RACE – ARTACHE HANOVER was three-wide early and tucked third to the 1/8, came out 5/16 to go to the top before turn two, did not try to keep the brusher out down the back but stayed up on the bit, outside headstretch and went by easily. GOLDEN GESTURE was four-wide early, took back to tuck fourth then gapped to the half, underway quickly down the backstretch and went to the lead 11/16, couldn’t sustain to the wire. POLAK A couldn’t quite keep with the backstretch brusher, left raw 11/16, went on to best the others. KOLT POWER was outside but gapped cover, found a better gear late. BRINGITONHOME N forced wholesale tucks early, yielded past the 3/8, inside, not much of a late response. SUNBURST CRUZE took the early pocket, struggled the last 5/16. LUCID DREAMS never entered the picture.
TENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE went to the top towards turn one, yielded before the 3/16, was loose in the pocket until the half then tightened in, to the Pocono Pike and proved most photogenic in a blanket finish. BYE BYE FELICIA started uncovered past the 5/8, never gave an inch of ground the rest of the way. APRIL AVA took over before the 3/16, was clear on the lead to the half, had the first-over come to her hard on the turn, didn’t miss by much in the sprint home. PANSY’S IMAGE sat in third, had no clear path in the stretch. AMERICAN DELIGHT N moved second-over, found her best strides just a bit belatedly.
ELEVENTH RACE – KEYSTONE STEAM was looped early and settled third before the ¼, followed the pocketsitter in circling the spent leader on the turn, sat half-half until headstretch, then wider and went by easily. BLOOD BROTHER forced a tuck and sat a gapping second behind the runaway, came out to the ¾ and went right by, clearly second-best in the stretch. MR MCDREAMY was outside from behind a gapper down the back, with SPORTS COLUMN also in the wide tier; they were the next two to finish. MUSCLE MACH A gapped badly down the back when the 2-3 horses tightened in on the tiring pacesetter. THE NEXT TWO were never in the picture. DAAMERICANSKY was in a world of his own, three-wide to the 1/8 and then continuing wide until coming to the rail near the ¼, had a big lead that began to shrink late backstretch and then disappear, tired.
Sep 23, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch tailwind … STEP ON THE GAS did so early and made the top past the 1/8 in a fast quarter, set the pace, looked to have warded off the first-over and was clear midstretch, then had enough for that resurgent one. LOUD SPLASH was looped and tucked fourth past the 1/8, started raw on turn two and went up in 27.1 vs. the wind to challenge, fell back a bit off the turn but then found renewed speed in a big try. BEACH FIRE K sat in, had to wait until midstretch to find room between horses, closed well once free. FEHERTY left well and yielded to sit in the two-hole, a little loose down the back, even response inside late. MR DS ROCK gapped cover third-over, finished with some speed. R MADDY BLUE CHIP, a little off the gate, went up second-over, did not tip wide from behind cover, so-so late.
SECOND RACE – THE WALL left swiftly and got everybody in behind, set the pace as he pleased, then had a 27.2 last quarter to win decisively. BABES DIG ME raced into the pocket at the 1/8, could make no inroads into the winner’s margin late, held second over BLACKLIGHT. The latter sat third-in, to the Pocono Pike, OK. MCNEIL Z TAM stayed in, not prominent. SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN backed out third-over past the 5/8, ducked in for the drive home, got a check. AMAZON caught up to advancing cover second-over, three-wide late turn, couldn’t reach. FEELING CAM LUCKY was wide leaving, took back, came with a rush at the half but never got to the leader’s wheel, started to back off midturn.
THIRD RACE – CREWS HILLTOPPER headed right on down the road, got mild fractions, able to stay clear to the wire. WINNERESS sat in third, had access to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make up enough ground. MUAY HANOVER tucked in the pocket past the 1/8, slightly off the leader most of the last half, but went along steadily. DARK POOL sat in until midturn, angled all the way to four-wide headstretch, finished solidly. SILVERMASS VOLO went uncovered from last before the 3/8, got ahead of the pocket horse ¾ but never reached the leader. NEVER SAY UNCLE backed out to second-over behind a one-gear sort, wide late turn but couldn’t make up the distance.
FOURTH RACE – BAMSKI raced up into the pocket past the 1/8 and enjoyed a golden journey, tightened back in some on the far turn, outside stretch and to the lead midstretch. CLASS SIX stayed in, outside far turn, moving best of all late. ATTA BOY DAN charged right out to the lead, wouldn’t yield and kept up good fractions, tired late. ABSOLUTE INTENT sat in, outside midturn but quickly ducked back to the pegs, outside again in the stretch, evenly. CLASSY HILL gained inside far turn, not bad late. BARNABAS was mired behind too much dull cover. SOUTHWIND DREDGE moved behind the parked horse on the second turn, started a three-wide move to go around him but didn’t have much. DREAM OF LUCK pushed up on the first turn but didn’t have enough speed and was on the rim throughout, fell back.
FIFTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE moved second-over, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide raw midturn, proved the best of this group late. BROADWAY BRUISER was right on the back of the leader, three-wide before midturn, dropped back down to second-over late turn, couldn’t step with the winner but outstepped the rest. DAYTONA DREAMIN was parked almost to the ¼ for command, went 28-29-30 (wind appropriate) on the lead but still had no late answer. ARCH CREDIT made the top to turn one then yielded at the ¼, sat the pocket, evenly late. LIGHTS COME ON gapped at the 3/8, got closer but then fell back again in the lane. GREEK LEGEND was uncovered into turn two, never threatened, tired significantly.
SIXTH RACE – MISS MCKEE was away second, moved past the ¼ but was made to work well past the 3/8 before reaching the top, continued on, had a 28.2 coming home and needed it to deal with THE LIONKING AS. The latter left strongly from the pole, made the winner work before accepting the pocket, came back up the Pocono Pike and put in another good mile. GRAPPLE HANOVER moved uncovered 11/16, not in the league of the top two but did take third over a pair. MARION GONDOLIER moved raw past the 5/8 and then soon got cover, drifted wide through the stretch and gained some ground. MUFASA AS seemed all-out at times just to stay with the main group. BANZAI AS, off the gate, offered little. MUSHANA moved outside, made a break at the ¾.
SEVENTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE blasted away for early command, then yielded to sit the pocket behind a fast pace, outside late turn and went on to win comfortably. DIALAMARA showed some speed, stayed third-in, could use the Pocono Pike and just nipped TJ BLAST for second. The latter quickly worked to the top and rambled off very quick numbers on his own, just couldn’t last to the wire. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK took back early, was far back behind unresponsive cover, was closing very impressively. ROCK KING DEO moved outside mid-final turn, some at the end but outkicked. LEAR SEELSTER never surfaced; PICKLED PREACHER didn’t surface either after being wide early and taking back. RAYS N A RUCKUS was uncovered to the half but never got beyond midpack.
EIGHTH RACE – THE CANDYMAN CAN was outside most of a good quarter to make the top, came home in 55.2 – 27.3 under a hold, uncatchable. SOMEBEACH BARON was fastest away and made the winner work hard to clear, stayed tight until the stretch but didn’t have the winner’s sprint, held second over BLOW A CLOUD N. The latter sat in, outside before midstretch and narrowed in on the place horse. RHP moved outside down the back but gapped, ducked in, no factor. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N came out raw 5/8, got to the wheel of the winner but no closer, fell back in the lane.
NINTH RACE – SNOWBALL’S ROMEO circled the field with good gate speed early, yielded for the pocket, sent to the Pocono Pike, went right on by and held off the closers. ACTOR HANOVER was looped and got into the early pocket past the 1/8, inside, angled out then wide headstretch, took a while to get in gear and was still fifth with little more than 50 yards to go, then was moving very well at the wire. BULLVILLE TERROR came all the way up the inside from second-last, deep in the Pike and just edged for second. DREAMS BEACHBOY quarter-moved and kept rolling, couldn’t last until the wire. BENJI’S BEST was third-over, had his cover lose its forward momentum on the turn, widest and very good late. WHITE HAIR ROCKS tucked fourth 3/16, moved uncovered at the ½, did got a head ahead of the winner on the turn, held fairly well considering the hard trip. CAPTAIN MCKEE was second-over, gapped. BAY MEADOWS was at the back throughout.
TENTH RACE – CURIOUS CORTEZ left hard to get control at the 1/8, yielded just before the ¼ but was quickly on the retake, had a clear lead far turn and was not seriously threatened late. REGAL SON parked the winner a ways then yielded, moved uncovered nearing the ¾, was game late and got up for second. STELLAR BB went up and took most of the quarter to make the lead, yielded to the winner, couldn’t go with that one far turn, raced commendably. BELLOWS BINGE moved out late backstretch, got cover, went back inside on the turn, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. ALEX TYE never entered the picture. MAJOR DESIRE was gapping before the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE — … Unfortunately, the video transmission went off the air just about at the 3/8 pole, so I cannot really say what I “saw” that you cannot infer from looking at the charts. The biggest puzzle is how SULLIVAN got out from behind the tired leader, and I would guess behind INDIGO ART. Sorry.
Sep 20, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … HURRIKANE WILLIE G was pushed to the 3/16 for the lead, yielded to a brusher and sat the pocket, outside stretch and got to the lead late in a good time for this class. CASTYOURCROWN moved from fourth at the quarter to the lead at the other end of the frontstretch, rolled along, didn’t miss by very much. BJORNSSON pushed the early pace, yielded and stayed third-in, inside stretch, just held third over MISTER WALKER. The latter was on his way from the back of the pack not much past the ¼, left uncovered before turn two, held on decently. CREATE moved outside 5/8, had cover but couldn’t go with it 11/16. F X HANOVER was the original second-over, gapped 9/16 and broke before the 5/8. LEGION OF HONOR showed little. DANZON HANOVER left and tucked third early, broke to the 5/16 and went inside the pylons.
SECOND RACE – CAVIART CARMEL was four-wide early, three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide to the top 5/16 after hard usage, rated the half, had to pick it up and battled with ODDS ON CARLY fiercely the last 5/16, very game to hold on. The latter made the top between horses at the 1/8, yielded, vacated third raw before the 5/8 and went nose-to-nose with the winner to the wire, very good effort. BETTE TINA came outside ¾, found her best strides a little late but still grabbed third. KISSIMMEE BEACH was involved in the early action to the 1/8, moved second-over, got to tuck in the pocket on the turn, Pocono Pike, not quite enough punch. TSM WESTERN SOUL couldn’t keep up in the last ½. SOUTHWIND MOLLY was three-deep to the 1/8 then on the lead 3/16, pushed the winner to the 5/16 before yielding, went loose 5/8. LADY ELECTRA was slow to the gate and rough once she got there, broke before the start, would eventually pull up.
THIRD RACE – CHAMP CHARBEL tucked, then gapped in third most of the middle half, outside on the far turn, wide and had the best finishing move. BALI BEACH was looped and worked up into the pocket, was also loose until the ¾, to the Pocono Pike, had a chance but outkicked, did get second. KAUAI KING moved uncovered 5/8 and made steady progress until the stretch, held on decently late. SICILY BEACH looped the field in short order, had an open lead after a fast quarter and a rated half, had the others catch up to him to the ¾, tired a bit after hard work in front. THE OTHER PAIR were not factors here.
FOURTH RACE – CARAMELA HANOVER moved out raw 5/8 and retucked in the pocket, gradually reeled in the leader on the turn, outside stretch, held off PAINT BY NUMBERS in the 32.2 last quarter. PAINT MY NUMBERS tucked fifth, then followed the winner (also retucking) until headstretch, went inside and just missed. MYREANNA tucked third and sat behind the gapping pocket horse, finally out two-wide midturn, just edged MISS MAYTRIX for third. The latter gapped behind the main pack, three-wide far turn and gained into the drastically-slowing tempo. THESUNRISESAGAIN made the lead and try to scorch the field with a giant quarter and half, still had a huge lead down the back but was tiring and gradually gave way. CIAO BELLA never made her presence felt. LILYBET sat second, gapped virtually the entire way until breaking far turn and going to the infield. TSM EMILIA T misbehaved 50 yards before the start.
FIFTH RACE – BLONDE ONTHE BEACH looked at leaving but took back, came raw 3/8 and went right by before the 5/8 in a 26.4 backside, had to deal with CAPSAICINN but went on enough to get that foe into the pocket towards headstretch, drew away. The latter moved second-over from last and then challenged when left raw 5/8, couldn’t go by and tucked headstretch, held second over some late rushers. JUBILEE QUEEN quarter-moved after a fast opener, had the winner rush by 5/8, couldn’t stay with the top two at the end of the fast third quarter, but kept on steadily. BAREFOOT’NPREGNANT was shuffled to last, came back some on the end. EASYRUNNER HANOVER, wide early, took the pocket 3/16, was shuffled back, evenly late. AVAYA HANOVER left between horses to the lead 3/16, yielded to the second quarter brusher, gapped the main action at crunch time.
SIXTH RACE – GROSSETO AS was three-wide to the 1/8, wanted to go on but was wrestled into the pocket off the first turn, closed the distance between himself and the leader late backstretch, out headstretch and trotted away late in a quick time for this level. INFINITE ZETTE spotted early, uncovered at the half far off the lead, kept gaining steadily for a good second. ARMANI HANOVER was determined to set the pace, got a breather to the half then took off again, out of gas headstretch. THINK I CAN was a very distant next-best. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN gapped down the back. COMMAND THE MARKET as forwardly-placed, but was leaving a gap soon off turn two. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
SEVENTH RACE – MORROCKIN K came uncovered at the half, got around a gapping three-holer, could have ducked in far turn but chose to advance two-wide, a very confident half length winner. REMY AURORA defended the pocket, got a bit loose on the backstretch but narrowed in, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch, not quite enough to resist the winner. WATERBOARD took the lead and slowed the half, tried to steal away with a 27.1 third quarter, held on to midstretch, not beaten by much. SILVER TAIL moved second-over but gapped on the turn, had a good if belated rush. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD tucked third at the 1/8, started to leave a gap not long into the backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE –ONE AFTER NINE was three-wide and looped early, to two-wide and in front 5/16, went on and strung out the front part of the field, drew away. QUICKEST HANOVER circled four-wide and lived up to her name getting the lead, yielded to the winner 5/16, couldn’t go enough late but did hold on to second in a three-way picture. LAA DEE GAA one-geared it raw from the half, good race. ME TOO BABY used the rail to achieve a forward positioning, Pocono Pike, didn’t have a solid pop late. CHARMING BANK gapped out far turn. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK and FINLANDIA were never factors. STORM BRINGER tried to gain outside but could not.
NINTH RACE – ISLAND LILY went outside with cover past the 5/8, uncovered midturn as her cover got the lead and the inside, worked her way to the front without seeming to have much trouble. DAGON HANOVER sat in the two-hole, remained in that positioning after the leader broke and a new leader crossed over, Pocono Pike, just second over TEQUILA N ROSES. The latter went uncovered 5/8 and was going past the pacesetter when that one broke, came up just a bit shy at crunch time. SERRANO VOLO avoided trouble. BALLET BARRE was well-placed until the ¾, then tired. BREEZING PRAYER was looped early and went on belatedly, was making a play for the lead when breaking at the ¼, recovered and went outside but couldn’t sustain the comeback. RED REDEMPTION made the top near the 1/8 in a fast quarter, slowed Q2 then picked up Q3, was giving way when he broke midturn and went inside the pylons. BILLIE CLAIRE and CUSTOMARILY both broke soon into the race; the latter suffered “b.e.” and was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – PRESTO grinded up from the 5/8 and proved the best in a three-horse duel. SO LONG HANOVER was in front at the 1/8, yielded and was a bit rough, left a gap behind the leader until late backstretch, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t appear to ever have the lead but steadily for second. SWEET HEART AS was three-wide to the 1/8 and went in front 3/16, set wind-appropriate fractions as many did on this card, held the lead until just past midstretch. CAN’T SAY NO couldn’t make his presence felt. LAZER JET moved outside in an effort to gain but was ineffective. BANG BANG BOINGA was always far back. BIG NUDGE ran at the 3/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE went out between horses and wound up in the early pocket, quarter-moved then yielded again at the half, accelerated 11/16 to be in position to move outside for the stretch, did so and wore down a stubborn STELLAR YANKEE to make George Napolitano Jr. only the 12th driver in North American harness racing history to record 11,000 victories. The latter was looped, had the winner move to the lead in front of him and followed him to command after a taxing half, held his ground dead game. BEACH TOWN BOY tucked third, came out into turn two and was briefly in tight quarters, continued up raw, tucked third ¾, couldn’t go with the top two on the end but bettered the rest. BOLTMAN tailed the show horse’s cover then was left raw on the turn, OK. THE COOKIE MONSTER came on from far back to get the last payday. THE NEXT THREE were never major dangers. ITZALLDOWNTOLUCK N was very wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8 before getting the lead, yielded, a bit rank in the hole towards turn two, fell back.
