Jun 4, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 70s to low 80s as summer approaches … DIEHARD SEELSTER yielded for a pocket trip, came out late turn and went by with ease. NICALO HANOVER sat fourth-in, benefitted when the two-in and three-in moved out for the stretch, steadily. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR was in front just past the 1/8, set the pace under no pressure, but gave way. ITS A HORSE slotted third at the 1/8, outside stretch but only so-so. NICE STUFF did not have great cover, three-wide midturn, not on the main radar. CAN’T SAY NO was put underway 3/8 but never reached the leader before retreating far turn. WARRIOR WAY didn’t make his presence felt. ARGENTO broke past the start.
SECOND RACE – TASTE OF HONEY was looped, worked to take control at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, backed out behind the first-over late turn, wide and defeated the second-half battlers. ZEUS HANOVER quarter-moved and put up crisp fractions while fighting the first-over from past the 5/8, held well. NOPEWASNTME came out uncovered at the half, went his third split in 27 to throw high heat at the leader, held solidly. DONT GET SHOCKED left better than anybody, saw horses go past early, stayed in, moved out a path stretch but couldn’t do that much. VARNEY was last, moved out, tried to circle a sluggish foe ¾ but made no meaningful progress. BEACH VIBES got cover at the half but gapped it. ALADDIN HANOVER never entered the main picture.
THIRD RACE – PARK STREET BLUES was looped and tucked third 3/16, moved 5/16 to take the lead past the 3/8, went on at a good clip without pressure, just enough. CAPTAIN WHO was three-wide before the first turn and continued on to take the lead, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, outside headstretch, with the 22-1 shot giving the 4-5 winner all he wanted late. PAULS BANDIT moved out midturn, stayed behind the pulling pocketsitter until midstretch, found best strides a little too late. BARNEY HANOVER was first on top, saw two go by, inside, evenly. GOFORBROKE YANKEE never surfaced. HUNGRY TO SUCCEED stayed outside early, was moving up late first turn when breaking, tried to recover but could not.
FOURTH RACE – KASEVILLE was three-high to the 1/8 and on the lead thereafter, rated quarter two, looked to being handled confidently late. FREDDIE MAC yielded and stalked in the two-hole, outside for the drive, enough for a DH2 with CHING CHING LUCKY. The latter was shuffled to last, three-wide ¾ and made a solid move on the turn, kept coming from well out of it to earn the tie for second. TRUMP THIS left between horses, tucked third, had his shot up the Pocono Pike but just a bit below the top three here. EXCHEQUER went uncovered 3/8, one-geared up in quarter three but couldn’t sustain the gain. SUM FOR ALL was never prominent. TRUEMASS VOLO was second-over, blindswitched ¾ just as he started to fade.
FIFTH RACE – KARABOUDJAN was between horses to the lead 3/16, slowed quarter two then picked up the pace, clear from before the ¾. SMOOTH LANDING left, got an inside spot that turned out to be the pocket after a breaker, did her best to stay close and did a pretty good job of that until the stretch, clearly second. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT showed some early speed, inside, next. PUB HOPPING stayed flat. SEMINOLE MOON sat fourth-in until the stretch, broke looking for more midstretch, placed for LOB. QUEBEC HANOVER was briefly four-deep then three-wide 3/16, had just gotten to two-wide when making a break late first turn, caught back and went up in the slow second quarter, nothing left in the last stanza. LOOKINTOGETLUCKY didn’t offer much here.
SIXTH RACE – SOUTHWIND DREDGE spotted midpack early, started to grind before the half, kept advancing and took the lead early stretch, gamely to withstand PERKINS. The latter got a golden trip second-over, went wide in the lane and narrowed in but couldn’t quite get there. ER VEGAS defended the early pocket, to the Pocono Pike, had pace, just came up shy. AIN’T IT FUN circled a backstretch gapper, moved out midturn, came between horses in the lane, gained, may’ve been shut off at the wire. ROYHILL left, took a 3-tuck, stayed in, to the deep Pike, couldn’t get into the main late battle. PLAY THE ACE gapped at a couple of points. CAVIART SAGE set the pace, had the winner come to him going into the far turn, was tired coming out of that bend.
SEVENTH RACE – PURE HOPE S was limbed most of the quarter getting the lead, had no problem after that and drew away. MISSILE got the early lead, yielded towards the ¼, kept close in the pocket until past mid-far turn, way ahead of the rest. WEATHER VANES tucked third, gapped most of the last ¼, preserved third. RUFFLES N LACES didn’t offer much. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was off the gate then broke at the start but quickly caught, went raw down the back but never got close, then fell further back. UFTON ABBY HANOVER didn’t offer much. TALKIN’ BOUT YOU was uncovered 3/8, was taking the second turn badly then broke at the half.
EIGHTH RACE – ONE HUNDRED POOF refused an early hole and took over 3/8, strung out the field to the ¾, then went about three-wide into the far turn, restraightened, then was immeasurably aided when the pocket horse broke and took out much of the field, all alone in a speedy if adventurous win. PRAIRIE NUGGET moved outside 11/16, was alongside the breaking horse past the ¾ and was not affected, held for second. DEVITO HANOVER followed the cover of the place horse, pushed a bit wide on the far turn, showed some recovery late. TACTICAL FLAME was bothered in the outer flow. RFL’S JASPER went to the lead at the 1/8, pushed the winner to the 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, broke past the ¾ causing trouble, went to the infield, placed. TO MY CREDIT was rough and slinky-like coming out of the turn before the start, last, checked when the trouble started and then made an ‘ix.” TOMMY BOY HANOVER was right behind the breaker, suffered an “ix” and also went to the infield.
NINTH RACE – BULLVILLE STEPHANO gapped the torrid pace early then got closer, stayed in far turn, found room between horses and finished well in a “flukish” 1:49 mile given the wild pace. THAT DOG WILL HUNT was three-wide to the 1/8, got the pocket at the ¼, stayed very close to the outrageous pace, Pocono Pike, made a short brief lead midstretch but likely was bottomed chasing the big numbers. SIMPLY FAST was bothered early, came out raw from way back 11/16, finished sharply. THORN TOAD was out on mission with 26.1, 53.3, 1:20.4 in “nw2,” couldn’t sustain to the line. FOUT yielded, gave the pocket at the ¼, moved out ¾, went evenly. TRAIN STATION was bothered early, never in it. ESTEEM was gaping before the half. SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA had his air shut off before the ¼, went to the infield, was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – DART GUY went uncovered past the 3/8, grinded up and sailed by on the turn, nice victory. CRAZYCAT was out between horses to the lead, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, slipped outside as the winner went by the pacesetter, left uncovered far turn, chased the winner home steadily. SIMON GOT LUCKY was behind the winner but gapped slightly letting the place horse get out, three-wide midturn, steadily. SMART AS HILL was well back in the flow, between horses in the stretch, OK. DIVINE SPIRIT was last-over, widest and gained some late. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT tucked third, caught behind the tiring pacesetter through the turn, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t build any momentum. TRUMAN JR HANOVER stayed in, gapped down the back. TOWN VICTOR was three-wide early to the lead 3/16, nothing left in the last panel.
ELEVENTH RACE – UTOPIA BLUE CHIP was looped early, went up behind a pocketpuller and then by that one to the 3/8, fought off a challenger and was clear after the midstretch incident. SALDANA HANOVER moved at the half and pressured the leader, a clear second (but there was trouble behind). BIRDIE THREE went to command past the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, inside, bothered when the horse fell midstretch. LADY’S CHOICE K also kept to the inside, checked sharply with the midstretch trouble. MY SWEET KATE broke at the ¼ wiping out a rival, recovered and went up to challenge while staying out in the three-path, remained three-wide the rest of the way and was close to midturn, then faded, placed for the early incident. SWEET GADGETS was grabbed into hard to avoid a ¼ breaker, lost contact down the back, then had to avoid another problem near the end. SUMMER DREAMS was outside down the back, gapped and was blindswitched, then couldn’t avoid the fallen horse midstretch and ran loose afterwards. LURKINGNTHESHADOWS yielded, moved 3/16 to retake then yielded again, pocket, to the Pocono Pike and looked to be in a good spot to be second when suddenly falling midstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – EMIRA MIL IT took the pocket, moved 5/8 and was right by 3/4, drew off at will. SAINT TRIXIE took control from the pole, rated the half, couldn’t keep the winner out ¾, did last for second. U BAKE THE CAKE stayed in, gapped 11/16, evenly in the Pocono Pike. GINA’S ON FIRE stayed close to the top two in third until coming out headstretch, but had very little to give. LOUS LANCELOT was never in it. FIGHT SONG went off-key the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – KAY SAGE yielded early for the pocket, was taken to the Pocono Pike and responded immediately to overhaul BLAZING RAMONA. The latter was in front quickly, withstood pressure from the favorite to her right, but then couldn’t beat out the foe to her left. BENICIO moved out past the 5/8 and quickly moved up to press the leader, couldn’t quite sustain that move to the wire. TIME TO ROAR tucked third going to turn one, sat inside, evenly. THE NEXT TWO gapped at the back down the back. REGGAE HANOVER moved second-over but couldn’t stay with cover, then ran midturn.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JOEY came just before the ¼ after the early dustup was resolving itself, moved to the front past the 3/8, looked to be well in control. ANDOVER CONTESSA moved from last into turn two and got cover before the half, went up behind that two-wide one, three-wide midturn, finished well. HALL IT OFF was the innermost of three early battlers, yielded, sat in, to the Pocono Pike, enough for show. MISS MUSCLE was between horses to the 3/16 until tucking third, back out raw before the half, gained, held well after a hard trp. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS was three-wide 3/16 then moved on to the lead, yielded past the 3/8 for the pocket, had little punch in the stretch. SWIZZLE HANOVER moved outside but gapped. WHAT THAT IS never was prominent.
Jun 2, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Very warm for Pocono in May … ONE AFTER NINE was quarter-mover #2, set the pace without pressure, then withstood the inside late thrust of GRAPPLE HANOVER. The latter left, yielded, made a “hidden” quarter move, yielded again, stayed close, went to the Pocono Pike and gained but not enough. KEEGAN HO went to the lead at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, lost ground on those two in the stretch, next. CHAPOLIER looked at leaving while wide but took all the way back to last, came again behind cover, not too bad an effort. TEDDY BROSEVELT and TIDQUIST could offer little. MONEY MATTERS moved uncovered 5/8, couldn’t get close, then broke midturn.
SECOND RACE – (Not much of a) stretch headwind starting up … CAPTAIN UP took command early, wasn’t threatened as he stepped home in 27.2. MOTLEY RAY took a while to settle in, came out at the ¾ and had to go four-wide around a logjam midturn, finished very powerfully. VORACIOUS left and got the pocket, couldn’t keep up, held for third over CLEVELAND B MIKI. The latter spotted third, inside, Pocono Pike, fair. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC pulled raw from last at the ¼ and took air the rest of the way, did well to get a check. SOLAR BOLT was outside down the backstretch and moved up quickly going three-wide past the 5/8, but flattened at the ¾. MIGHT BE RIGHT didn’t offer much. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME moved out on turn two but broke at the half.
THIRD RACE – ARCHIBALD was underway late on the first turn but needed until just past the 3/8 to clear, set the pace, under mild encouragement to maintain a good margin. JIVE NINETY FIVE made the lead and yielded, stayed inside third until late on the turn, along for a no-factor second. CHUCKY DE VIE worked to the front at the 1/8, pushed the winner then yielded just past the 3/8, stayed close to midturn, then tired some. FRAC gapped; BAR COINS tried to go around that one but could not. JUSTIFY lost contact early in the backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – SIRI BLUE CHIP moved 5/16 to the lead and rated quarter two, then sprinted off in 56 well in control. BULLVILLE KARLA pushed a foe almost to the ¼ and yielded, back out uncovered 5/8, couldn’t threaten but enough for second. BETTE TINA moved uncovered from last, got cover 5/8 then gapped it, better late turn and went wide, steady late. FOX VALLEY CACHET gapped inside at several points, in gear and four-wide late turn, finished OK. EMMY LOU HAYES was used hard in a very fast quarter to make the lead, yielded, started to go loose late backstretch. TRAFFIC JAM was not prominent.
FIFTH RACE – PAUC HANOVER went out to take over, yielded ¼ for the pocket, vacated the two-hole 11/16 to challenge the leader, had passed the leader before that one broke, held off the closers. ACTION SHOT was forwardly-placed, outside ¾, wide, gained some. F SCOTT’S MUSE followed cover, wide midstretch and gained some. CHEF ROCCO was looped, went on at the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, got a slow middle half but also got pressure late backstretch, already passed when breaking late, placed for a double LOB. LEAST WEASEL advanced inside to pocket position late turn, only evenly late. DIVINE ZETTE wasn’t prominent. TRY-HARD HANOVER broke soon after the start.
SIXTH RACE – NO CIGAR TONY got early forward position, moved 5/8, quickly cleared and opened up a big lead, coasting late. HUNGRY FOR MONEY moved in the lively outer flow, three-wide ¾ and gained to the wire. MIKI B MOUSE was inside, out in a blindswitch far turn, ducked in in the lane, fair. HES EXPRESS spotted fifth at the 1/8, moved with cover but was left raw before the ¾, evenly. HERS HUNGRY got the last payday. EVERHART HANOVER left well from the rail, yielded, shuffled badly when the pacesetter tired, but had no recovery in the lane. KEYSTONE PEARL offered little. KALYPSO, outside early, moved up at the 1/8 to the lead past the ¼, strung out the opposition from the 3/8 to the 5/8, then was engulfed by the winner and backed through the field.
SEVENTH RACE – SAY YOU DO left well enough to put a foe in and set the pace, slowed the half, had enough sprint to hold off a challenger to both sides. STEALING went uncovered into the backstretch, was coming on very well at the end. NEXTROUNDSONME couldn’t get around the winner early and had to settle for the pocket past the 1/8, clear in the Pocono Pike, just not enough sprint. BANK BOX TREASURE went up to tuck third at the 1/8, sat in, may not have had full clearance inside. SWEET HEART AS was second-over, wide, not enough. PADRE never factored.
EIGHTH RACE – FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES was pushed most of the 26.2 opener to clear but did so, rated the half, opened a big lead into the stretch, appeared safe. SELECT FRIDAY was urged hard leaving, seemed reluctant to give up the lead but did so near the ¼, sat the pocket, not tight on the winner to the ¾ and then saw him get away late turn, found a better late gear while bearing out some and cut into the winning margin. MISTER DAYTONA sat third-in the whole way; HES REALLY KEEN was right behind him. GLOBALDOMINATION N was shuffled then backed outside 11/16 only to see the tier go stagnant, too much ground to make up. LENWOODS REAL DEAL moved out at the ¼ and got cover 3/8, didn’t advance too much two-wide and three-wide midturn, outpaced. LEAVE AND ROLL backed out to third-over but went back inside down the back. SHARKY BEAR was uncovered before the 3/8, never got near the leader and retreated in the last ¼.
NINTH RACE – Wind calm now … DIRT ON MY BOOTS tucked third, then paced his back half in 54.1, moving raw 5/8, getting inside on the turn then coming out again towards midstretch, determinedly to catch MIGHTY SANTANA N. The latter went straight to the top, got a breather in quarter two then sprinted down the back losing all but the winner, good but not quite good enough at the end. BULLVILLE TERROR was raw at the half, got cover 5/8 then couldn’t stay with it, distant third. STENDAHL HANOVER was outside but never entered the main picture. TITO ROCKS left, took the two-hole, under a hold 3/8, couldn’t keep up from late backstretch. THE OTHER PAIR were inside, gapped out.
TENTH RACE – HUNTING SEASON moved after things sorted themselves out in the 26.2 opener, made the top, was threatened only by MY HUNGRY GIRL late and held that one off. The latter refused to yield early from inside leaving position, then ceded the leader to the winner and trailed close-up, out into the stretch, good but second here. EXTREME Z TAM had cover but it didn’t advance much, gained a little too late. BLANK CHEEK was very wide early and three-wide past mid-first turn, tucked in third at the ¼, came raw again 5/8, gained to the far turn but then couldn’t gain any more. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was between horses then took the pocket before the ¼, couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. PLAY WITH ME was away last from the rail and gapped at the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – MUDVILLE showed good gate speed, yielded to the challenger in front of the stands and waited for the stretch, outside and snapped right on by. AMERICA’S GUEST pulled from third to the ¼ to take over 3/8, set the pace with no challenges, well ahead of the others in second. ROCK THREE TIMES was away second, stayed in third and began to go loose nearing the ¾. SPORTY DRAGON retucked around a gapper backstretch, didn’t gain late. PHANTOM SHADOW went up and found a 4-tuck 3/16, not heard from again. I’LL TAKE THE BET moved outside before the half but didn’t gain. LATEST ATTRACTION fell far back. CENTURY IGLESIAS broke towards the first turn.
May 31, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm … Stretch tailwind … CIGAR SMOKING TONY blasted right out to the lead, hung the favorite from just past the ¼ just past a vicious half and sat in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and along in a fast mile. BENJI’S BEST moved from third at the quarter but was kept out until just after the timer read “53.3,” kept rolling, just could not hold off the pocket rocket. TRIP HAMMER stayed connected, uncovered 5/8, grinded, never closer than aflank of the leader, tried hard and raced well. THE WALL went up to the pocket by the 1/8, sat third-in, evenly late. FRISKIE ALL NITE moved second-out but couldn’t quite keep off of cover. CALYPSO ROCK N gapped early, and he and THE OTHER TWO were far detached from the main action.
SECOND RACE – HUNGRY FOR LOVE was in front towards turn one, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp burst to gain into a 27 back quarter and win nicely. TWO PROUD remained outside early, worked up to 3/8 command, came home in 27 and still was caught. MY LITTLE CAPTAIN stayed inside, had good pace between horses late while not threatening for the top spot. ROMANTIC EVENING raced up to the pocket just past the 1/8, moved outside 11/16 but couldn’t gain. CATIE FAYE HANOVER followed cover then moved back inside, not prominent. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER never entered the main picture. SPITTING IMAGE struggled to stay close much of the last ½.
THIRD RACE – SPECIAL PROSECUTOR left alertly and took over at the 1/8, yielded to a brusher 5/16 and sat tight in the two-hole, Pocono Pike and like many early on the card took the inside path to victory. KINDA LUCKY LINDY sat well-placed, outside late turn, went widest and found better strides a little too late but just got second. BRECKENRIDGE went uncovered 5/8 and battled the leader, held very nicely. MISS MCKEE yielded at the 1/8 for the pocket, on the move again shortly thereafter to 5/16 command, came under hard pressure, didn’t give much ground. GREAT MAGIC stayed connected but couldn’t gain late. DANDY never got going. MYSTICAL WYNN gapped at the end of the main bunch. EUROBOND broke an 1/8 before the start.
FOURTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N was the first to show, let his righthand neighbor go by 3/16 and sat the pocket, another Pocono Pike pocket rocket. JK OBJECTION as noted made the front 3/16, went on at a good clip without pressure, beaten by a trip horse. MIDNIGHT DAY was looped, settled in third 3/16, went inside pylons upper stretch, evenly late but placed from third to fourth for the pylon violation. KINGSTONS BAD BOY struggled to stay close much of the mile inside, evenly late. GONNAHAVEONEMORE moved uncovered into the backstretch but never posed a major threat. ARTIFACT HANOVER was second-over but couldn’t stay with cover. MARINER SEELSTER trailed.
FIFTH RACE – ELWELL was four-wide leaving to two-wide to the lead past the 1/8, rambled on the lead then opened up ¾, came home in 26.4 to leave these well in the dust. MODERN ROCK was three-wide early and took command, yielded for the two-hole, went loose to the ¾ but finished far ahead of the rest. SHINEONUCRZYDIAMND A sat third the whole way. MAKE SOME WAVES moved uncovered to turn two and made third quarter progress, but couldn’t sustain the gain. BUSBOY HANOVER was never prominent. PARK OFFICIAL went shopping for a midpack tuck, moved second-over but couldn’t keep up with cover, ending the 10-race win streak. COWBOY COOL was no factor today. HOT DEUCE gapped at the back.
SIXTH RACE – DELICIOUSSTONE DK stayed outside leaving, in gear 3/16 to the lead 5/16, yielded past the 3/8 for the pocket and sat tight, yet another two-hole up the Pocono Pike to victory. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES drifted up then in gear before the 3/16, followed cover to the 5/16 then moved up to command past the 3/8, was challenged down the backstretch, fought off that one to his right but couldn’t resist the one to his left. HEART MATTERS used inside positioning to establish early command, yielded, stayed third-in, found a fine gear a 1/16 out and was making up good ground. HAND DOVER DAN started an uncovered bid just as the pacesetter cleared to the top, went up a long way uncovered, held on pretty well. CANTSTOP YANKEE backed off early, was shuffled to last, then was not helped by his cover while third-over, wide, tough spot. SAID N DONE AS gapped second-over. BEER CHEESE actually showed first but took back when his lefthand neighbor took advantage of track geometry early. not heard from again.
SEVENTH RACE — …and finally, a blast from the last! … A FEARSOME HANOVER, helped by the fractions, moved three-wide from third-over 11/16 and made a huge gain on the far turn, to two-wide late turn to the lead early stretch, withstood PLAY THE FIELD. The latter was three-wide leaving to the top into the first turn, yielded to a rusher 3/8 and sat in the pocket, sacrificed momentum to the winner but had a good response in the Pocono Pike. A BETTOR BEACH was second-over, blindswitched nearing the ¾ then backed out to follow his three-wide cover, closed well. TERRITORY left and yielded, moved out 5/16 to take over pacesetting duties, didn’t have enough in the last 1/8. LORD OF MISRULE stayed in, didn’t show much late. LYONS JOHNNYJNR went first-over into the backstretch but was never much of a danger.
EIGHTH RACE — … and another from well off the pace! (but they’re won’t be any more today) … SPEED AWAY was in a very lively outer flow, moved three-wide just past the ¾, kept gaining wide and ran down SOUTHWIND ARTURO. The latter started uncovered from midpack off the second turn, got to tuck in the pocket approaching the ¾, out again for the drive, almost took it all. SENNA was double-looped and three-wide almost to the 3/16, pressed on to take over the top 3/8, held well. FRANK THE ELDER got into the good outer flow, left uncovered ¾, best of the rest. ZETTE FLAME was out most of the ¼ before getting the front, yielded for the pocket, went loose late backstretch in the race’s slowest ¼ giving a tuck, evenly in the last ¼. AGGIORNAMENTO stayed in and was shuffled to last, wide but couldn’t reach. BETTERINPINEHURST went out quickly to take over, pushed then yielded, shuffled when the pocket horse unplugged to the ¾, but didn’t seem to have much when clear – hard-to-evaluate mile. BULLY BOY HILL did not make his presence felt.
NINTH RACE – OUTWIT OUTRUN didn’t look like the “nw2000L5” horse he was a few lines back – looped early, he moved up at the 1/8 to the lead 5/16, pushed a bit then yielded, right back out for 9/16 and went head-to-head with the pacesetter the rest of the way, managed to get his nose to the wire first. SHORE OF HIMSELF was well-placed and got the pocket when the winner pulled, to the Pocono Pike and had his shot, just nosed out. SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL made two moves to control the throttle, had the winner at him the last 7/16, held strongly to the very end. I’M BENICIO A was uncovered early on turn two, picked up cover early backstretch, struggled to keep with his cover and ultimately could not. REDBANK BLAZE A was fifth-over, went between horses in the stretch, fair. THE DARK SHADOW had an excess of cover, four-wide and with some pace at the line. URBAN RENEWAL had room to get tighter down the backstretch but did not. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was third-over, three-wide late turn but came up empty.
TENTH RACE – ON HIGHER GROUND was three-wide early and briefly tucked third, then was unleashed 5/16 and powerfully took over, opened up a clear lead in the slowest quarter of the race, then threw a 27.1 haymaker to reduce his own Pocono seasonal standard to 1:51.2. P L NOTSONICE seated foes early, yielded to the winner, started going a bit loose 5/8, but still was a clear second. ROBBIE PEV moved uncovered 5/8 from last in the main group, raced well. DEWEY ARNOLD backed out to second-over but couldn’t get close even for the major minor awards. RICH AND MISERABLE took the pocket early, inside, couldn’t keep up far turn. ARMSTEAD COLE started slowly then ran 3/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – STONEBRIDGE KARIS used the rail well in the 26.2 opener, finally yielded to the 3/8 to sit the pocket, came outside past early stretch when the first-over finally faded, finished well. CODE CRACKER left and was four-wide early but then took all the way back to fifth, was third-over, had to go four-wide late turn, narrowing in very well late in a mile better than it appears on paper. BULLVILLE FRANK was fourth-over and widest in the lane, had steady pace. A STUD NAMED SAM sat in, gapped in the third quarter, got closer late on the far turn and finished steadily along the inside. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was second-over, three-wide late turn, outpaced. STOP STARING was three-wide all the way to the ¼, finally hit the front before the 3/8, set a fast pace with pressure from the 5/8, gave way. LAST MACH was last, looked to have pace while blocked through the lane. CONTROL HEAVEN was between horses to the ¼ then tucked, came again first-over to the half and battled the leader, tired.
TWELFTH RACE – BUILDING BOOST gapped the early duel but was underway raw 3/8, grinded and grinded some more, made the lead towards deep stretch and then held off SPORTY M THREE with courage. The latter gapped a bit inside then got in gear ¾ and angled very wide, finished powerfully. DRAGONONTHEBEACH went right to the top and yielded 3/16 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, got a short lead midstretch but couldn’t outfinished the outside ones. LOUKES PERRY was right up on the gate, worked to the top 3/16 and set the pace with a lot of pressure from the winner, held well. TJ’S INDY PACER was third-in, to the deep Pike, hard to tell if he was fully clear. OAKWOOD VENUS IR had belated pace from last. PARMESAN N was not a big factor. K J HUNTER gapped cover down the back, was blindswitched, didn’t have too much late.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JACK’S LEGEND N was in front at the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased then stormed home in 25.4 in hand. SPORT SECRET spotted third near the 1/8, moved outside midturn, won the battle for the distant second. HESA KINGSLAYER N moved uncovered 9/16, didn’t threaten the winner but stayed in the battle for place. MIKE’S Z TAM left, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have quite enough late in the battle for the deuce. CASUAL COOL had gapping cover, got the last check. CRUNCH HANOVER stayed in, never a player. VENIER HANOVER gapped much of the first half, moved out down the back but had very little.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SEVENTIER tucked in third 3/16, moved raw off turn two and challenged hard, got a couple of short leads but couldn’t clear to the inside, but had the most late. DAGON HANOVER left well and yielded for the pocket, moved two- and three-wide headstretch, good outing but had to settle for second. MACMORRIS HANOVER set the pace, under pressure from the winner from just past the 5/8, couldn’t hold on to the lead. CHOCO CHARLIE gained a lot of ground up the inside, Pocono Pike, OK. IN A TINY WAY was at the back most of the way, behind dull cover, evenly late. MISTER BOINGA tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over but didn’t keep up. DROP THE MIC gapped early, moved outside but could offer little. SORTIE broke coming off turn two.
May 29, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 70s; stretch tailwind in the first race that had shifted to a mild stretch headwind by the third … MUSHANA was last of the nonbreakers to the 5/8 then went uncovered, grinded up, made the lead before midstretch and proved the best. ITS A HORSE went into the pocket 3/16, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite summon enough. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR left from the rail, set the pace, got pressure 11/16 and was immediately put to urging, tired. TOWN VICTOR broke off the turn before the start, caught the field, moved out down the back, gapped slightly while a bit rough, good recovery. HS JUDY JETSON offered little. STEEL SCHOONER broke soon after the start. NASEY let but soon was offstride.
SECOND RACE – MIKITEEN went to the pocket and was a half-acre off the runaway leader, caught up from just past the 11/16, outside late turn and to the lead, held off LOOTABLE. The latter was moving behind cover 5/8 just as that one broke while pulling so had to check, recommenced gaining raw, cover from the winner late turn then wide, kept coming but couldn’t make it. BET ON BUTER was inside, squeezed out late turn to avoid the stopper, made a break before midstretch but quickly got back on, was gaining well inside late. YANKEE CLOUT was in the outside flow, widest in the stretch but not quite enough. GRETZKY THE GREAT cleared nearing the 1/8 and was off on a speed mission with a huge lead in sizzling numbers, started to tire near the ¾. ESTEEM came out of third from behind the gapping winner 5/8 but almost immediately made a break.
THIRD RACE – Wind now a stretch headwind … LEXUS RANGER was the innermost leaver and forced tucks, rated the half then sped up down the back, had enough to keep any competition safe. JUSTLIKEHIM went to the pocket early, a bit loose down the back, outside stretch, couldn’t gain. LADY’S IMAGE was three-wide early, tucked third, stayed in, Pocono Pike, evenly. DART GUY backed out to second-over at the half, went back in as cover stalled on the turn, next. CREEMORE was initially second-over but gapped and wound up third-over, no factor in the last ¼. CHING CHING LUCKY went uncovered past the 3/8, didn’t gain in the quick third quarter then retreated. THE LAST TWO gapped at the back.
FOURTH RACE – SWEET CHEYENNE had a fine trip second-over, wide stretch and just up in the latter stages. LURKINGNTHESHADOWS was uncovered from early down the back, grinded up, forged to the lead midstretch, just caught. BIRDIE THREE left enough to put an early foe in behind, rated the half then picked it up, held until midstretch. MIKI B MOUSE stayed connected until the far turn then suddenly dropped off a couple of lengths, rebounded some to the far inside late. LADY’S CHOICE K left, took the two-hole and stayed close, not much response late. THE OTHER TWO disconnected down the back.
FIFTH RACE and SIXTH RACE – Unfortunately, the replays for these two races, from a pair of sources, malfunctioned and were not preserved.
SEVENTH RACE – PORTOFINO had the early pocket, saw two horses go by to the 3/8, came uncovered into turn two and rushed to the lead with a 27.1 third quarter, held steadily to the wire. SOME KINDA CRAZY was looped early, gradually went forward, uncovered 5/16 to the lead 3/8, yielded just past the 5/8, came back for more in the Pocono Pike but came up a bit shy. HOLY BEING had the winner’s cover, couldn’t stay with it down the back, was left uncovered and advanced to attack far turn, gave a little ground late. QUITE FAST was looped, pressed on to the front 5/16, yielded, gapped inside from the 5/8. SAINT TRIXIE was in the cover flow but gapped it late backstretch. KINGPIN HANOVER never entered the main picture. THE BLACK ACE outrushed everybody early, yielded 5/16, gradually fell back. RUFFLES N LACE broke before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – NEVERTELLMETHEODDS forced an early tuck and pointed right down the road, won easily with a 27.4 last quarter. FOX VALLEY CACHET gapped two early battlers then tightened in, stayed in, came up the Pocono Pike and just got the distant second over JAGGED LITTLE PILL. The latter left hard but was forced to settle for the pocket, went loose late backstretch, couldn’t hold the deuce. LATE FOR DINNER sat in, shuffled far turn, blocked through the stretch, reported back with “b.e.” BLAZING RAMONA started uncovered 3/8 but didn’t reach the leader; YOUNONOTHINJON followed the tone’s cover to little avail. BLANK CHEEK trailed at every call.
NINTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up some … KOBE B had cover early then went out to take over 5/16, won this one as he pleased. PRAIRIE NUGGET was in front near the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed tight on the winenr until headstretch, then fell back some. MONKS HOOD S left, sat third most of the way, inside stretch, not quite enough for second. DEVITO HANOVER broke early, recovered, moved out down the back, OK in recovery. THE NEXT PAIR did not offer much. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP broke w-a-y before the start.
TENTH RACE – DIEHARD SEELSTER was on the lead into the first bend, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, inherited the lead when the pacesetter broke and went wide late turn, drew off. NICE STUFF was forwardly-placed, just took second over ARGENTO. The latter was uncovered going to the half, grinded up but never got even with the leader, but just close enough that he was bothered when that one broke and went wide, came back well and almost took second. THE NEXT TWO stayed inside and got the last two paydays. DON’T I WISH didn’t have good cover, then had to go inside the breaker early stretch. CAN’T SAY NO took command past the ¼, set the pace, lost his gait late on the far turn and ran home. NICALO HANOVER gapped second-over.
ELEVENTH RACE – DIVINE SPIRIT was third-over, swung four-wide into the lane and just caught the heavy favorite. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS was second-over, three-wide late turn, just didn’t have enough to hold off the winner. FORREST sat in, got room on the far inside and had a brief short lead past midstretch before being overhauled by the closers. TUIS SHADOW left between horses for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, outkicked. FREDDIE MAC was three-wide much of the 1/8 to the lead, slowed quarter two, came up short. SWIZZLE HANOVER was stuck inside, weaving through the stretch looking for a path. KASEVILLE was at the back throughout. PADRE left, yielded at the 1/8, moved uncovered off turn two, made a mild bid then backed off.
TWELFTH RACE – TRUEMASS VOLO moved at the ¼ and soon made the lead while also backing off quarter two, was under little threat thereafter. PRAIRIE VIRTUE would not yield to an early challenger, did yield to the frontstretch brusher, couldn’t offer that much from the pocket. MUSCLES JARED backed off to accept the early two-hole 3/16, came between horses in the stretch and had some finishing power. MANWILLING went uncovered from the back of the short main field, gained a little down the back but couldn’t sustain the progress. FRAC didn’t keep up far turn. GREEK LEGEND broke going to turn one.
THIRTEENTH RACE – RIOT was uncovered on turn two, got cover 5/8, went three-high late turn, bore out in the stretch but continued to gain and just got the decision. SPORTSMANSHIP left, yielded, retook control, just failed to last on the money. ADRENALINE RUSH moved uncovered 5/8, grinded, never as close to the lead as at the wire. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING was out 3/16 before taking over, yielded for the pocket, not quite enough. HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON trailed, was gaining as the pace slowed late. SOMIKI stayed in, went to the deep Pocono Pike but may not have been fully clear. LUZIANA had cover but couldn’t get into the race.
FOURTEENTH RACE – USOSWEET BLUE CHIP drifted out then was in gear at the 1/8 and took over at the ¼, really slowed the half then had to pick it up quickly as MISSILE made a head-to-head challenge during a 27.1 third quarter, gradually edged away from that one. The latter was uncovered on turn two and moved boldly off that turn, going 26.3 down the back to bitterly challenge the winner, couldn’t get by but finished extremely well. MATTER OF TRUST had the top early, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up when the pace increased dramatically down the back, did retain the distant third over OLD MAGIC. The latter sat in then backed out at the 5/8 but made no real headway. U BAKE THE CAKE sat in, offered little. SIR FRANK gapped at the back.
May 28, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm … SAINT LOUIE was three-high to the 1/8 to claim the top, rolled along stringing much of the field, won easily with a 27.3 last quarter in very fast time for this class. MANCLANE came uncovered 5/8 and approached the leader, trotted well for second. SHARP CURVE left between horses to get the pocket, a bit loose from the 11/16. P CHICO stayed in until edging out before midstretch, a little at the end. THE GOOD BOOK was uncovered before the half, got cover 5/8, gapped on the turn. THE NEXT TWO were never in the main action. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN broke midpack late backstretch.
SECOND RACE – LENWOODS REAL DEAL was on the move 3/16 to the lead 5/16 and stayed clear of his foes in fast fractions until the stretch, then hustled home to stay safe; returned with “b.e.” HES REALLY KEAN got the early pocket 3/16, tightened in on the loose pocket horse late backstretch, inside in the lane and just second. APPLE VALLEY ART went to the lead, yielded, loose in the two-hole from before the half to into the far turn, then closer, outside stretch but couldn’t make up ground and just missed holding place. MISTER DAYTONA N gapped inside, best of the rest. BETTOR’S WESTERN was parked with cover early, tucked fourth 3/16, uncovered 5/8 but made little impression. PERKINS was outside early but never got close in the fast tempo. TIDAL SHARK dropped back in the last half.
THIRD RACE – BOUDICCA gapped a bit, then in gear 5/8 and with a steady grind worked her way to the lead in the stretch. GET THE PICTURE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead past the ¼, set the pace, held off all but one. U GURL was outside, gapped cover on the turn, was along for a no-factor third. RAVIOLI had a bit more trot finishing than she had shown heretofore in the race. KT DOUBLE DEUCE left between horses and made the top, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, faded in the lane. NINA HANOVER was first on top, yielded, sat in third, shuffled some on the turn, Pocono Pike, so-so. THE LAST TWO were the last two throughout.
FOURTH RACE – SECRET OVER quickly established command, a command he would never yield. CHEF ROCCO used inside positioning to defend the pocket, way ahead of the rest. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was behind gappers, started circling them 11/16, two-wide late turn, next in line. ACTION SHOT gapped, evenly. LEAST WEASEL got the last check. REDDY FOX spotted third 3/16, already gapping by the 3/8. PAUC HANOVER was wide early, took back and rode outside midpack before fading. TOMMY BOY HANOVER ran up on the horse in front of him to the 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – GALLIE GETAWAY went past the early breaker, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose at the half then narrowed in, outside late turn and to the front comfortably. KID FROM THE BRONX was three-wide early, made the front, set a fast pace, held up well but not enough for the pocket rocket. MIKI DE VIE gapped throughout, inside and a distant third. CERULEAN HANOVER avoided trouble, so-so late. TRIFECTA HANOVER tucked third early, stayed almost-connected to the top two until the last 1/8, then tired significantly. FIREBALL FREDDY gapped badly at the back of the main pack. TRAIN STATION was unruly behind the gate, looked to want to leave but soon broke. BULLVILLE STEPHANO had a very early equipment problem and was taken back to the paddock.
SIXTH RACE – SEMINOLE MOON had speed, got underway uncovered at the half and grinded, went to the lead midturn and drew away. F SCOTT’S MUSE followed the winner two-wide 5/8, left uncovered on the turn, enough for second. FULL SCALE was hard to put inside early, gapped down the back, swung wide in the lane and was just up for third. RFL’S JASPER took the pocket at the 1/8, shuffled a bit far turn, waited to come between horses in the stretch and just missed show. FAWN DE SIGN took charge early, slowed the half, then had the winner’s pressure 5/8, no response past the ¾. SWAN JOVI was never close. DANCEHALL KING gapped outside, broke midturn. TRY-HARD HANOVER broke off turn two.
SEVENTH RACE – SILKY STRIDE worked to the front 3/16 then relinquished 5/16 for the pocket, had to wait for the Pocono Pike and then had enough closing ability to get the decision. HOW SWEET IS THAT was three-wide to the 1/8, briefly behind the cover of the winner then up to take over from that one 5/16, fought off severe backstretch pressure, good for second. CRAZYBEAUTYAMAZEME got a forward spot early, sat in, moved out on the turn and wide in the lane, closed well. IDEAL ALEXA started uncovered before turn two, went up in 27.1 down the back and had a slight advantage but could not clear, held well after the hard trip. WAGS TO RICHES made the early lead, pushed then yielded, backed out to second-over 5/8, three-wide headstretch, not quite enough. WILD BLUE WONDER was shuffled to last and gapped far turn, appeared to have some late pace. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE was behind the struggling cover of ALL YOU CAN EAT, tried to go around that one but could not.
EIGHTH RACE – MIRASOL S went in front 3/16, yielded a like distance later for the pocket, backed out of the pocket to follow a lively flow before the ¾, wide midturn and had the most to the wire. BT BABE went uncovered past the 3/8 and brushed on to the lead nearing the ¾ at 47-1, held well. GADOT HANOVER came outside far turn and finished well. FLIRTINWITHTHEHELP was at the back of the main pack, came up the inside gaining late. CHEROKEE JOY raced with cover to the 3/16, then left uncovered and urged to clear 3/8, yielded the lead to the ¾ and fell back some. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER moved out at the half, was left uncovered ¾, not enough late. SANTA MONICA AS broke past the 5/8. I CANT REFUSE left, yielded 3/16, broke before the 5/8.
NINTH RACE – SOUTHWIND DRUDGE began a long uncovered grind into the second turn, gained inch by inch, just up nearing the wire. FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES was wide early, on top off the first turn, slowed the half then sped up, held the lead until the dying yards. ASTON HILL DAVE yielded, stayed in, had pace in the deep Pocono Pike. BLAKEMORE hit the top before turn one, pushed past the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole, not enough inside late. ER VEGAS was shuffled back, wide stretch, evenly. DROPTHERAKEFREDDY went second-over, came up empty. BOLTMAN was last throughout.
TENTH RACE – Stretch tailwind starting up … HERODOTUS left, settled briefly in the two-hole then was quarter-mover #1, yielded to QM #2, to the Pocono Pike and wore that one down confidently. COMMANDER FRANK came out before the ¼, briefly had cover then went on to take the lead, held very well but caught up the inside. FRENCH WINE started an uncovered grind into the backstretch, gained in the third quarter, flattened out a bit late. DESIGNER DRINK was no factor. KENOBI was in front going to turn one, saw two horses go by in the second quarter, backed outside behind cover midturn, swung wide but broke headstretch and ran home, placed. BAR KEEP DE VIE didn’t keep up most of the last ½.
ELEVENTH RACE – UNIQUE STYLE went right on early and made the top 5/16, just held off JOLLY RANCHER to his inside. The latter stayed a close third, got to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter pulled, gained and lost by a whisker. SOME KINDA NIGHT made the lead at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 and stayed close, outside late turn but didn’t gain. SCOTTY DEO left a big gap most of the first half, closer then uncovered before the 11/16, finished steadily. FOX HOLE sat in, couldn’t offer enough late. KNIGHTS GUARD was uncovered off turn two, picked up cover 11/16, not a factor. YO CARTER lost contact by the ¾; MAD MONI lost contact by the half.
TWELFTH RACE – ONCE IN A LIFETIME was wide early to the lead, yielded but was right back on the move to command before turn two, held off a challenger on the turn, safely with a sharp 27.2 kicker. CRANTINI was four-wide to the first turn, three- then two-wide to the front 5/16, yielded to the winner, slightly loose on the turn, then steadily late in the fast last ¼. FATHER STOSH stayed in, up the inside to catch INTER MISCHIEF for third. The latter came uncovered at the half, challenged, didn’t have enough sprint late. SPITFIRE OVERSEAS was second-over close on cover to the far turn then backed off some. SINATRA DE VIE was no factor third-over. DRAKE HANOVER had lost contact by the half. IRISH COFFEE took back early, made a break going to the first turn.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM went right to the top and had things his own way, easily. PANTHEON HANOVER left to get the pocket, neither gained nor lost ground in the lane. WHAT’S GOIN ON came raw out of third 5/8, gained a little on the turn then flattened out. DL’S BIG ELVIS tucked fourth past the 1/8, so-so thereafter. KIMANI N did not have great cover, wide in the stretch, got a check. BRIGADOON was never in the picture. WOODMERE ANDRIOLI was uncovered into the second turn, finally got cover to the 5/8, no response in the last stanza.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NEXTROUNDSONME went to the front 3/16, yielded for the pocket 5/16, came up the inside and trotted to victory. SAY YOU DO was uncovered into the second turn, grinded a long way, held his ground firmly. ONE AFTER NINE was behind cover early, then went up 3/16 to grab the top 5/16, set the pace with ever-increasing pressure the last 5/16, faltered a little. MARION GONDOLIER had fine cover but couldn’t stay with it. TEDDY BROSEVELT was behind a dull one and ducked inside on the turn, not too much. KEYSTONE SERGEANT and SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN were not in the picture. RIVER OTTER was on top early, yielded, struggling before the ¾.
May 26, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Drop throughout the evening from 72o to 58o … Stretch tailwind at the start which subsides fairly early on … TURN ON THE CHARM went to the lead then let the favorite go and drafted in the two-hole, came out in the stretch and went right by late. PROUD MARY sat outside early then in gear at the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, kept right on rolling on the engine, finished well but was caught by the pocket rocket. RELENTLESS JULIE was a bit loose at a couple of points in the first half, launched an uncovered backstretch bid into the wind, backed off the last ¼. MY HUNGRY GIRL was second-over, three-wide towards headstretch, didn’t gain. HUNTING SEASON left some, started to fade in the last quarter. CARIS got around an early breaker, third-over but never in the hunt. SWEET HOME broke 5/16.
SECOND RACE – IM A POWERPLAY A right to the lead, saw two go by, pulled from third 9/16 and went 27.2 raw against the wind down the back to clear 11/16, in control thereafter. FRISKIE ALL NITE bided time outside early then went on to command past the 5/16, slowed the half, did not fight the brushing winner but stayed close, head cocked to the right coming out the far turn, stayed game. POSH ON THE BEACH A showed speed, out behind the winner down the back but couldn’t go that much and was left raw, did well through the lane to just miss second. LAST MACH passed tired foes. CAVIART SAGE was in the outer flow but was not a factor. GOOD DEAL was looped leaving, to the lead 3/16, yielded, gapped out at the ¾.
THIRD RACE – AMERICAN CRISPIN spotted, was given her head towards turn two and cleared early down the back, went 27.2 against the win to build a big lead, was tiring late but safe. HUNGRY FOR MONEY was inside, had room in the Pocono Pike and narrowed in well (in a 30 quarter with a tailwind). HALLELUJAH HANOVER was quickly in front, gave up the lead to the winner early backstretch and saw that one get away, but held better than one might have guessed around the far turn. EAZY HUNTING took the early pocket, outside early turn but never did get past the “new” pocket horse. EVERHART HANOVER offered little. HES EXPRESS moved outside but didn’t gain. SWEET GADGETS gapped in quarter two then broke coming off the turn two. JOSEY’S LAW broke early, recovered but broke again at the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – Wind to calm … CANNIBAL, wide early, gradually worked to a 3-tuck before the ¼, came uncovered 5/8 and fought the pacesetter, drew away from that one and held off his only challenger nicely coming home in 26.3. MORE THAN YA KNOW went uncovered off turn two but soon got cover, tailed it, ducked inside it in the stretch and raced well for second. MAYWEATHER HANOVER went into the two-hole 3/16, shuffled late turn into the lane, found room after the top two were gone, fair. DEMPSEY HANOVER took control from the pole and set the pace, was pressured, had no sprint in him the last 1/8. MARRIED MAN had a bit late from far back to get the last check. RUSTY BEACH gapped inside at the ¾. FENDI HANOVER joined the outer flow but couldn’t stay with it. GILLIGANS HOOLIGAN didn’t stay with the pack the last half.
FIFTH RACE – HESTONATOR enjoyed his trip in the pocket, tightened in on the turn and had enough sprint to catch the pacesetting CAPTAIN WHO. The latter took over right away, set a slow half, dashed home in 55.4 and still was worn down late. CLEVELAND B MIKI gapped much of the last half then had a better gear late. ONE TO REMEMBER moved uncovered early backstretch but had too much ground to make up. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME went evenly. FERRAGAMO HANOVER lost contact by the 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – AMMO left, pushed then yielded, out at the ¼ and soon uncovered to the front just past the 3/8, went clear down the back then got company, still maintained control. FLITE CRAFT was three-wide 3/16 to the front 5/16, yielded past the 3/8 for the pocket, tightened in near the ¾, held second gamely. JUST BET IT ALL left between horses to the lead 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, back outside 11/16, didn’t really threaten but won the three-way picture for third. SEVEN COLORS was far back, didn’t really figure it out until into the stretch, was moving very quickly late. STORMALONG gapped down the back, evenly. NAZARE gapped second-over. CAPTAIN MIKEY was not prominent.
SEVENTH RACE – IM HUNGRY was in front at the 1/8, yielded and sat the two-hole ride, to the Pocono Pike, to the lead midstretch, had the most to the wire. FLASH MOVE spotted, then was second-over and tighter on cover ¾, three-wide nearing headstretch, closed well for the DH2 with IDIOSYNCRATIC. The latter changed gears early, was three-wide to the first bend, then two-wide until finally claiming the front to the 3/8, had backstretch pressure, held well although not able to take it all. MUSKATEER HANOVER came up in 26.4 raw to challenge late backstretch, held on bravely the rest of the way. EXCURSION came off the rail midturn, moved out to four-wide and had solid late kick. LOUS THE ATTITUDE was forwardly-placed, not clear in the lane but not tight-up on the pack either. LEROY GIBBS lost contact after the half. CAPTAIN TAYLOR broke at the half.
EIGHTH RACE – FULTON floated out and briefly settled third, then made a quarter-move, went a quick half, under pressure from LYONS SURFING to his inside in the stretch but preserved the victory. The latter was on top at the 1/8 then yielded to the winner and stayed tight, gave him a good battle in the Pocono Pike. ANNAPOLIS HANOVER came out of fourth just past the 5/8 and went 27.1 to advance, didn’t gain from past midturn but held fairly well. SOUTH POINT was first on top, yielded, stayed third-in, couldn’t keep up in the latter stages. STAY GROUNDED gapped in last. LOUBET moved outside but didn’t have too much to offer.
NINTH RACE – HUNTERS HERO was second-over but not tight on it during the sizzling third quarter, continued on uncovered, made the lead midstretch and just held off COMMAND. The latter showed speed, yielded, moved 5/16 to the lead before the clubhouse turn in a slow Q2, didn’t keep PANETTONE HANOVER out during the quick backstretch, moved outside headstretch then wide, narrowing well late after an eventful mile. PANETTONE HANOVER took an early tuck, moved early on turn two and roared up in 26 uncovered to get the top 11/16, just a bit shy late. CAPTAIN AWESOME left sharply while three-wide early, tucked in 3/16, shuffled some late turn, had some response when clear after the others were gone. ALL ALONE went on between horses for the early lead, forced a tuck, then yielded past the 3/8, didn’t keep up on the far turn. CONGRESSIONAL never featured. FEEL MY WRATH moved outside but gapped. LOUSAIN BOLT was never a presence.
TENTH RACE – IT’S MY SHOW was very fast leaving, didn’t want the two-hole and went on to the lead in a blistering 3/8, found himself in the two-hole past the half after BAMBOOZLER made a speedy move en route to the lead early in the backstretch, waited in the pocket until headstretch, then came out and went right on by. The latter finally did get in third 3/16 but pulled as soon as the winner cleared in front of the stands, took the lead early backstretch and continued breakneck fractions, settled for second after showing much energy. CAPTAIN BATBOY tried to put everybody in behind with a 26.2 quarter, did yield 3/8, stayed connected, moved inside when the winner came out headstretch, did very well. BUGABOO LOU retucked around a gapper down the back, steadily in the last ¼. SHEER TERROR was not well-served by the cover of TIP TOP CAT. SLIPMEAMIKI was gapping behind the torrid early action of the top three, fell back further.
ELEVENTH RACE – LYONS SPIRIT was off the early proceedings, the moved off the first turn and took most of the frontstretch to clear, got mild (for these) fractions, drew off under a hold the last 3/16. CAPTAIN ALBERT G worked to the lead 3/16, yielded towards turn two, couldn’t stay with the winner on the turn, held off the late burst of BINGE ON YANKEE for second. The latter left between horses to the lead to the first turn, yielded, locked in when the pocket horse went a little loose late turn, found room before midstretch and then found a late gear which almost got him second. LIFE N SWEET had to go four-wide headstretch as the outer tiers collapsed, had late speed. ITHACA HANOVER had early speed, sat in and was shuffled, but not that much once clear in the lane. I’M TALKIN HUNGRY gapped 3/8, went to third-over, blindswitched late turn, not a factor. BE THE CAPTAIN sailed out first-over towards turn two, gained down the back then flattened midturn. CAPTAIN PLANET was second-over, three-wide late turn but didn’t gain.
TWELFTH RACE – KEN HANOVER spotted, moved uncovered down the back and went right by while going his third split in 26.4, opened a big lead on the turn, tapped a couple of times late to maintain the safe margin. LARCENY followed the cover of the winner, left uncovered late backstretch, tucked in the two-hole midturn, showed a steady late move. ALL CLASS made the lead at the 1/8 in a 26 quarter, yielded for the pocket, then was shuffled far turn after the passed leader faded, outside past midturn, made a good comeback to take third. ERVIN HANOVER spotted, was out in the good cover flow, left raw midturn, so-so finishing. THE NEXT TWO were always far back. MAMBA was second early then moved and got the lead 3/8 in a fast pace, could not battle the leader 11/16 and then steadily faded.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE blasted off to a clear early lead, got pressure from the 5/8 but shook that rival off and drew clear again. FULL SUPPORT tightened in in the pocket late first turn, pulled out 5/8 to challenge, but lost ground in the lane, still a clear second. POSEIDON DEO tucked, followed cover, three-wide late turn, was along for third. GIRLDAD was extremely wide early, angled down into a 4-spot 3/16, uncovered at the half but then got cover 5/8, gapped the two up-front battlers, stayed on OK. HUNGRY MAN took back early, got the last check. MOTLEY RAY was inside, could have advanced to the pocket down the back but didn’t have the needed steps. THE LAST TWO were never major dangers.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MR PROFETA was second-over, three-wide headstretch, got the best of a stretch donnybrook on the money. STONEBRIDGE KARIS pointed right down the road, was pressured, held to the shadow of the wire. STOP STARING defended the pocket early, had his chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite get it all. MIGHTY SANTANA N left between horses, tucked third, uncovered 5/8 and dueled with the leader, gave small pieces of ground through the lane. BULLVILLE FRANK sat in, evenly. ST LADS BEAT IT was far back early backstretch but narrowed in the last 3/8. CAPTAIN CASH offered little.
