Apr 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was between horses leaving, looped, in gear when that one went past and up to command just before the 3/8, stayed in command to the wire. SPECTACULAR ROCK took an early tuck, then moved first-over towards turn two, grinded well for a solid second. BYE BYE JOHN was third-over, gapped at the 5/8, came on to be next-best. GOLDEN GESTURE left, yielded, trapped in as the pocketsitter gave way, clear in the Pocono Pike and OK. THOUGHTYOUDLIKETHAT didn’t get in the main picture. ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR gapped third-over. RAKSMACH N was four-wide early then three-high to the 1/8, took over 3/16, yielded to the winner to the 3/8, got looser from the 5/8. BAYONET tried to gain three-wide ¾ but could not.
SECOND RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY was third-over, gapped early backstretch then went tighter and then three-wide to the ¾, three-deep through the turn, lead before midstretch, withstood the late charge of DURANT. That one followed the winner the entire way, finished steadily. HEEZ ORL BLACK N protected the early two-hole, started uncovered towards the half and challenged hard, had a small advantage ¾ but couldn’t clear to the inside on the turn, next in line after a tough trip. NEWS WATCH was second-over, accepted the blindswitch to the ¾, angled behind the winner into the stretch, even pace late. CHALEURS AD made up a lot of ground wide very late. HIGHVIEW CONALL N outleft everybody from the rail, hung a challenger almost to the second turn before yielding, moved out of the pocket into a blindswitch position headstretch, may not have been fully clear the length of the stretch. ADMIRAL waited outside early then worked up, left out until nearing the second turn, further used fighting the first-over, tired. THE OTHER PAIR couldn’t get into the main argument.
THIRD RACE – SWEET HEART AS moved out with cover 5/8, lost it 11/16 and kept going up to challenge, game and got the decision. MOON BRIDGE vacated third 5/8, raw, tucked back in the pocket past the 11/16, the Pocono Pike, took a bad step stalling momentum, still won the photo for second. LIFE WELL LIVED was the only strong leaver and had a clear lead much of the first half, certainly didn’t back off in the drive. MARION GONDOLIER moved out past the ¾, came up a bit shy. CONSUS VICTORY gapped at the back. RAINBOWINTHEWEST was in the pocket, lost her action early backstretch and faded badly.
FOURTH RACE – MARYMACISBACK was away in good order, moved to the lead in front of the parked challenger and then kept that one out in the air, didn’t get any threats the last 3/8. ISLAY N stayed in, moved outside just past midturn and finished gamely to photo RELLA TIVITY for second. The latter was on to the early lead, yielded to the winner, just failed to hold second. TSM ARTEMIS T moved outside far turn, OK. DOTTED LINE stayed in, never prominent. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N was second-over, went three-wide 11/16 to try to circle the dull cover, but just hung outside the parked horse. GALARINA was stuck behind the two outside tier cloggers. SHE’S A BILLIONAIR was outside leaving, lost cover at the ¼ and went up but did not have the speed to clear, tired 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE drifted up leaving, had no hole so stayed behind the parked horse, went around that one three-wide early on the far turn to two-wide past midturn, proved the gamest in a three-horse battle to the wire after all the extra ground. BATTLE MAGE moved out with cover towards the quarter, lost cover then went up to 3/8 command, got a creaking 59.3 middle half, still unable to hold on. KARETS was looped early, went on to the front at the ¼, yielded, pocket, Pocono Pike, got to even with the pacesetter, not enough. DON’T SASS ME sat in, fair in the stretch. WILLY MOUSE looped two foes en route to command just past the 1/8, relinquished, in, so-so. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT sat in, used the Pike, evenly. ER BEN gapped. INNER PEACE was actually the first to show off the gate while three-wide, was about to be looped and took back, found no hole so went up frontward, got close to the leader down the backstretch but then could offer no more.
SIXTH RACE – ANDOVERS TOUCH left well, took the pocket, came out 5/16 but ducked right back in when seeing the pacesetter was not letting the parked horse go, sat cozy in the pocket, then powered up the Pocono Pike for an easy win. O JONNIE sat in, into the Pike a bit off the winner, but still in time to get second. VALLEY OF SIN forced the winner in behind him early, then refused to let a parked challenger go, just missed holding second. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE moved out on the second turn to follow the parked horse and quickly caught up to him, three-wide just past the 5/8 but was left out in position three-wide the duration, didn’t gain late. ARCH CREDIT sat in and was shuffled to last as the field double-stacked three-wide, got the last check. BRUTAL STORM went up to challenge but was given the cold shoulder, applied pressure a long way and was still contending when they turned for home, then understandably tired. MAGIC VACATION had to swing four-wide headstretch and couldn’t gain. ATABOY HANOVER rode cover two- and three-wide, also did not make an impact.
SEVENTH RACE – FRAC was out to the quarter for command, rated the half, dug in against the tough first-over NATALIE HANOVER and wouldn’t let her get by. The latter started uncovered into turn two, one-geared along the last half and would not go away. LANDONFITZ was third-over, three-wide midturn, finished steadily. ARUBA VACATION made the lead by the 1/8 then yielded at the ¼, sat the two-hole, didn’t have enough response late. CRITICAL MASS sat in and was buried, finished steadily once finding room in the Pocono Pike. LAKEVIEW TAMMY was second-over, gapped on the turn and was blindswitched, evenly between horses late. WILLIAM STAR could not make up enough ground. PITTSTOP KIP got a forward position, couldn’t offer much in the latter stages.
EIGHTH RACE – WHEN YOU DANCE hustled through as his righthand neighbor broke at the start, put everybody in behind and then far behind in the last quarter, quick mile for the bottom level. STORMONT CZAR A hustled away and got the two-hole, no match for the winner but held second. ROCKNROLL CHARM was second-over, gapped cover on the turn, came on mildly to get third. MY MIND IS MADEUP went in fourth, moved uncovered 9/16 and made up backstretch ground, stopped gaining on the far turn. NIALL HANOVER was way back, went wide to get the last payday. CENTURY ENFORCER got a midfield slot past the 1/8, offered little thereafter. INSTRUCTOR was away third, laboring before the ¾. GOTTA LOVE HIM was never close. WARRAWEE VELOCE was looking for a quick start but ran just after the gate sprang.
NINTH RACE – TART TONGUE was three-wide to turn one, then proceeded forward to 3/16 command, no anxious moments the last 3/8. SOOT HANOVER started uncovered from far back 3/8, one-geared with sturdy consistency and was a very good second. HALLS OF VALOR sat in, stuck behind the pocket horse then avoided that one when he went offstride, OK for third. BY A HOFF HANOVER was inside, gapped a bit a large part of the third quarter, came up the Pocono Pike and wasn’t far off third. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER backed out to second-over to turn two, didn’t have too much late. SAN CRISTOBAL had a little gain on the end. FATHER OF IRELAND was not in the picture. CAPITAL T STORM broke between horses heading to the first curve, recovered but couldn’t get back into it. SWAN BY LAND went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded to the winner, was battling to keep second when going to a break late turn, went to the centerfield.
TENTH RACE – TOP ME OFF was handled patiently while four-wide early, three-wide past the 1/8, then two-wide to get the lead 5/16, kept the first-over at bay, in control of this one. ROBBIE PEV hugged the inside all the way and came through for second. CEFFYL DWR forced tucks them pushed the winner to the 5/16 before yielding, loose in the pocket from towards the ¾, evenly late. BLACK TIE BASH was gapping significantly at the back of the main pack midbackstretch, but also rode the inside and had some late speed. KILLER INSTINCT left three-wide but quickly took a tuck, then was second-over, three-wide far turn, didn’t reach. PILOT HANOVER tucked past the 1/8, came back first-over before the half, challenged, then began to fall back past mid-far turn. HOOLIE N HECTOR was outside, not too much. TRICKY DICK was a bit rank as the gate came off the turn and made a break before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – SHOULDABEENATD worked into the pocket before the 3/16, slightly loose much of the backstretch, had room to slide out near headstretch and then wide, closed well. ABIGAIL DAWN went outside ¾, gapped on the turn and dove to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, won a photo for second. MAJOR BATTLE moved out ¾, finished steadily. DIBABA N gapped early then got closer, moved raw 11/16 to challenge, outpaced. BOLT OF BEAUTY sat in, gapped, then found better pace and weaved for space through stretch while gaining, might not have had full clearance. TOPVILLE ANGELINA made the point into turn one and rolled on at a quick pace, not able to sustain her speed. THE FINAL THREE never made their presence felt.
TWELFTH RACE – MISS MCKEE could sit third until the 11/16, then made a raw burst that carried her to the lead late on the turn, drew away. WITH OUT A DOUBT sat in the two-hole, had to wait headstretch as the leader tired, then went to the Pocono Pike and made a good finish to regain second. NEXTROUNDSONME came out far turn but couldn’t stay with the winner, caught for second. MUSHANA also came out on the far turn, had some finishing speed. SUSIE’S SISTER made a break before the 3/8. KING ALPHONSO got in gear near the 1/8 and had command coming out the first turn, set the pace with a good third split, but had very little in the last quarter.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ALL ABOUT AMY looked stone-cold buried past the ¾, far back on the rail, but she slid out in a blindswitch midturn, angled wide behind TRAFFIC JAM in front of a gapper, gained behind that one, then slid wider towards midstretch and just got up in the 29.4 kicker. The latter sat in then could back out behind cover but that cover gapped, three-wide midturn, got a brief lead four steps out but got caught. GEORGIE MARTIN N was three-wide to the 3/16 then went on to 5/16 command, under intense pressure to keep the first-over horse on the outside, held well. BRING ME DIAMONDS left between horses, tucked third before the ¼, had to wait for access to the Pocono Pike, then gained as the pace was slowing down. GRANT ME THIS was four-wide to the 1/8, then three-wide, reluctantly tucked towards the ¼, came with a 27.1 rush down the back and almost cleared but never could to the ¾ and through the turn, which probably led to her tiring after a no-luck outing. AMERICAN TOUR N used the rail to geometric effect parking foes early, yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, not much late. RHODATOLDME was never in the picture. CHASETHECLOUDSAWAY, a bit off the gate, gapped a gapper. DELISHKA N moved out behind good cover but could not go with it.
Apr 26, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Slight stretch headwind … LEAR SEELSTER followed the lively cover of NATIVE’S SWEETLOU, left uncovered on the turn then ducked in late turn, to the Pocono Pike and caught that rival. The latter spotted fifth, uncovered at the ½, in gear at the 5/8 and sailed past the leader past the ¾, held well after the hard trip. TULLOW N committed outside 11/16, couldn’t go with the top pair but was along for third. LYONS AMUSEMENTS had the pocket from the rail as only one other horse left hard, sat in the two-hole then was shuffled past midturn when the leader tired, slid out two-wide, couldn’t make a sharp regaining of ground. PROVEN DESIRE was never close. SUNSET BRAYDON was also caught in the far turn shuffle but didn’t respond once clear. BAMSKI was urged leaving to no effect, fell back inside. FOO FIGHTER N went right to the lead, had a clear advantage 3/8 and didn’t get pressure until the ¾, but had nothing to give when called upon.
SECOND RACE – MISSISSIPPI RABBIT pushed the early dynamic and yielded, eased out just past the half and rushed right to the lead 11/16, opened a clear advantage on the turn that he kept to the wire. BARNABAS followed the winner, gapped as that one went up to the lead then was left raw, did get into the pocket far turn, clearly second-best. WHITE HAIR ROCKS was in the lively flow, also tucked in on the turn, distant third. BURNING MIDNIGHT was last behind gapping cover, made up good ground in the lane. BLOW A CLOUD N left between horses and wound up in the pocket, shuffled badly from the ¾, extricated himself then ducked back in, couldn’t recover enough. CAPTAIN HILL was first to pull 3/8 and an 1/8 of a mile later he was fourth-over, then gapped midbackstretch. BOBBY K HILL went forward a little late in the beginning, three-wide then backed off into a tuck, also shuffled out of it. THISJETSABOOKIN was three-wide past the 1/8 in getting the lead in a 26 opener, had no answer when the winner challenged 11/16.
THIRD RACE – MYKINDACHIP was three-wide leaving to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, accelerated midstretch and won easily while becoming a millionaire. OLLIE’S Z TAM left between horses and settled third early, then quarter-moved and rated the half, was challenged the third quarter but shook the first-over off, no response for the winner. CENTURY FURY yielded for the pocket, in then backed out past the 5/8 and quickly three-wide 11/16, to two-wide past the ¾, not enough in the sprint home. SCOOTNROLL gapped down the backstretch, outside late turn, fair late. IDEAL WHEEL moved from last before the half, challenged the leader but had no more to give just past the ¾.
FOURTH RACE – WARRAWEE UNIQUE tucked in third 3/16 and waited there until almost the 3/4, then grinded up and proved the best. PALOMAR was behind dull cover and went three-wide before the 11/16 to get around it past that point, got new cover on the turn, battled on. TELL THEM LOU was three-wide leaving with encouragement to the lead just past the 1/8 in a snappy opener, yielded to the brusher for the two-hole, did well in the Pocono Pike. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN sat in, came between horses in tight quarters late with pace. SOMEBEACH BARON defended the pocket early, then quarter-moved and slowed the half, then took off again down the back, not enough in the last 3/16. CAPTAIN NASH gapped near the back down the back, stayed in, angled out in the lane, fair. PRINCE OF TIDES was urged leaving but only got to the five-hole, came uncovered into turn two but didn’t have much here. DA MAGICIAN never surfaced. WINDSONG JACK went three-wide to pass a fader but never did so.
FIFTH RACE – ROCKIN INTHE HILLS made the front and pushed the chalk well past a steaming opener before yielding, came out in the stretch and paced right on by impressively. SCOTT ROCKS was used very hard to make the lead past the wicked initial station, rated the half, didn’t get any pressure, but did not have as much as the winner late. SWEET N FAST N sat in, was urged far turn, mustered late kick to grab third. CLASS SIX was forwardly-placed, gapped the last ¼. GHOST DANCE didn’t keep up but got the last check. LOVE THE ACTION was three-wide to the first turn, slotted fourth 3/16, moved raw early second turn, never got closer than even with the third-in horse; AMERICAN REBEL followed that one’s cover, sent three-wide 11/16 but never gained.
SIXTH RACE – CONQUEST AS sat in, then backed out to third-over 11/16 after a foe broke and as the outer tier became the place to be, followed cover on the turn then swung three-wide, the strongest late. BANK BOX TREASURE was three-wide to the 1/8, briefly had cover then was left raw, relentlessly grinded to the lead before the ¾, couldn’t deal with the winner’s kick but courageously saved second from the horse on his back, JACK RULES. The latter backed out behind the parked horse 3/8 and had excellent cover, uncovered to the ¾, couldn’t quite get second though racing well. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was out in the flow but gapped, ducked in stretch, OK in the Pocono Pike late. FOREVERHILLREIGN never factored. RIVER OTTER was innermost of a gaggle of leavers, yielded for the pocket, trapped when the lead changed hands to the ¾ but didn’t seem to have much anyway. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY went on to the lead just past the 3/16, continued at a good clip, powerless when challenged late backstretch. MASSIVE OPULENCE was closer to the outer fence than the inside pylons leaving, took back to tuck, had just backed out to third-over 9/16 when going to a run.
SEVENTH RACE – REVELRY appeared to give a pocket tuck to prepare for a quarter-move, parked most of the frontstretch for the lead, but thereafter had no proble, stepping home in 54.3. RETOUR AU JEU moved just as the winner cleared and was uncovered, could finally make the pocket to the ¾, tired late but held the distant second. BLACKLIGHT left wide, took back, moved third-over, was blindswitched, came clear two-wide past midturn, finished OK+. TREVOR ONE was second-over, gapped early in the backstretch then got tighter, inside third mid-far turn, evenly late. SWEET ROCK was looped early, got in the two-hole nearing the ¼, inside, checked ¾ when the horse in front of him broke, into the Pocono Pike but didn’t rally. BRAVO TEX N made a three-wide sweep from fourth-over 11/16 to no avail. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was near the back throughout, swung wide but had no shot into a 54.3 back half. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A started quickly, pushed the winner through the frontstretch then yielded, started gapping not too far into the backstretch, broke to the ¾ and went inside.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind picked up a little … WARRAWEE WHYNOT was fastest away, yielded before the 3/8 for the two-hole, hard to steer late turn and into the Pocono Pike, but produced enough forward pace to get the decision. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE left with cover, left raw 3/16 and made the lead near the 3/8, had hard pressure from the first-over from the 5/8, shook that one off and paced sturdily to the line. STELLAR YANKEE was uncovered from next to last and paced his own middle half in 55.2 to put high heat on the leader, held well. TERRY A HANOVER left, made the pocket 3/16, in, out in a blindswitch late turn then went back inside, fair late. WIN PLACE ‘N SHOW was second-over from last behind excellent cover, three-wide past midturn, not quite enough to reach. SARANAC BLUE CHIP gapped down the back, not a major danger. LOU ED ZEPPELIN backed out to third-over off turn two, four-wide mid-far turn, couldn’t gain nearly enough.
NINTH RACE – CAPTAIN SLEAZE was in front going to turn one, rated the half then dialed up the speed when a challenger came on, briefly clear headstretch, then held back the late charge of MAJOR MAKOVER. The latter was up on the bit past the 3/8 but waited for cover, got it, three-wide past midturn and a little wider spinning off the curve, closed well. EMBLAZE HANOVER was wide early, put in third past the 1/8, came uncovered off turn two and fought with the leader while going his own third split in 26.4, appeared shaken off late turn but doggedly carried on to the line. HULOU yielded for the pocket, gapped when the price of pacing went up down the back, evenly. SIX DEGREES gapped at the back, came between horses late while possibly in tight quarters. BATTERUP HANOVER couldn’t do much from third-over.
TENTH RACE – KYUQUOT sat in and was last, angled out towards headstretch and to the extreme outside past early stretch, had a tremendous last 1/16 to nail TREVOR’S ACE on the line. The latter had the early pocket, pulled just ahead of a long train just before the half, got to the top just after the ¾, looked good nearing the wire but was just denied. HE’S A SNOB improved early position, then had a fine second-over trip, left raw early far turn, paced well. STOP STARING wound up fourth-over, three-wide midturn, good outing. ONE EIGHT HUNDRED went right to the lead, paced a fast quarter, looked over at the challenger past the ¼ and let him go 3/8, shuffled badly far turn when that one tired, to the Pocono Pike, took a couple of steps to find high gear then was gaining very rapidly. TARKIO stayed in, outside in a blindswitch midturn to avoid more of a shuffle, fair. MAD MAN HILL was out past the ¼, fifth-over, wide on the turn but couldn’t enter the action. COALITION HANOVER, wide past the start, had cover early and tucked midpack at the ¼, came third-over, was in a good position headstretch but broke, was taken to the infield, placed for the breaking violation. STRAIGHT TALK was a little rough behind the gate, left, battled up raw to gain command at the 3/8 in a fast half, was all done ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN had some speed then let the top two go at it, out again 5/16 to avoid being pinned in by the parked horse and brushed to command, opened a clear lead on the turn but was rocked the length of the lane to keep GIVEN UP TERROR safe. The latter started first-up towards turn two, got in third before the ¾ but back out again midturn as the pocket horse faded, paced on determinedly to the finish. LORD OF MISRULE came three-wide from the back 11/16, to two-wide raw on the turn, made a good showing to be a clear third. FERNADO left to get the top between horses, forced a tuck, yielded to the winner for the pocket, no more forward pace the last 3/16. REDHOT ROMEO was never prominent. POLAK A was three-wide early and wanted the top but had to settle for the two-hole 3/16, started gapping 11/16. RANGERS SURESHOT was outside midpack throughout, looped going to the ¾ and faded. MYIDEALSON N lost contact with the field down the backstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – Further increase in wind … J M MANDAMIN defended the pocket early, moved to the lead past the ¼ after the favorite met with misfortune, rated the half, came home in 55 – 27.2, which was enough as his main opponents came home even faster but were too far behind. JACK’S SHADOW N moved out second-over, three-wide towards late on the turn, stepped home in 54 – 27 in a superior effort. GROOVY JOE went three-wide to the lead past the 1/8, yielded to the winner to sit the two-hole, had his shot in the Pocono Pike but a couple of steps shy. BETTOR MEMORIES came out before the 5/8 raw and paced up in 27, which didn’t let him reach the leader, kept on going well. RODEO ROCK sat in, tried coming through deep in the Pike, may have been lacking room very late. BABES DIG ME was never prominent. HIGHALATOR left between horses, was looped at the 1/8, was eyeing the 3-hole to the 3/16 when he suffered an “ex,” was pulled up.
THIRTEENTH RACE – VETTEL N went away enough to force two tucks, then let the other leaver go by at the ¼, sat a tight two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and just had enough to get by a stubborn AFLAME HANOVER. The latter looked at leaving but gradually settled back, came raw before the 5/8 and hit a better gear to the ¾, got a short lead early in the stretch, paced on with determination. CLOSING STATEMENT was briefly four-wide early, got to two-wide and grabbed the racetrack just before a quick quarter, set the pace, came up a little shy. P L MUNSON started out third-over but ducked back in, outside stretch, evenly. CASUAL COOL finished with some pace along the inside. SEEL THE DEAL N moved second-over but gapped before the ¾.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BILL HALEY N was three-wide early, backed off to third 3/16, then went second-over, three-wide midturn when cover faltered, then kicked home strongly for the fastest mile of the year here, 1:49.3. BLOOD LINE went on to grab the lead early, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, good but just not having the steps of the winner. SOMEBODYITREASURE waited outside with cover until the winner tucked, then launched forward to get the front just before the 3/8, kept rolling at a very fast pace, not enough to last to the wire. TRENTE DEO was third-over, gapped, then found a higher gear widest and narrowed in nicely. JOESSTAR OF MIA A defended the early pocket from the rail, moved again raw before the half but couldn’t really menace although holding OK. BULLVILLE TERROR had room up the inside to gain contention down the back but did not. BELL I NO was in a difficult spot. SEEYOU AT THEBEACH never factored. … (Fun fact: Bill Haley the musician had that “spitcurl” hair design over his right eye to distract attention from the fact that he was blind in his left eye.)
Apr 22, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – No wind to start; temperature would rise from 55 to 60 through the afternoon … AMAZON made the lead 3/16 in a hot quarter, rated the half, strung out the field then had only YOUR HONOR close from the 5/8, kept that one at bay. The latter went to the lead, pushed the winner then yielded and sat a tight second, good but second-best, far ahead of the others. SNUF ENUF HANOVER did not get a good start, moved out to the ¾ and went past the rest. DANCING TINA, also away a bit slow, was next in line. SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA did not seem easy to steer, moved out but had little to offer. ROAD READY WES tucked third, couldn’t keep up most of the last half.
SECOND RACE – SPECTACULAR ROCK made the early lead, yielded, moved from third before the 5/8 and stepped right by just past the ¾, went his own back half in 56 in a $7500 claimer to win by a ton. ARCHETTO HANOVER moved behind the winner but immediately couldn’t keep up, left uncovered far turn, stayed on for second. SKYWAY BILLY made the lead 3/16 then yielded after almost a like distance to sit the pocket, backed out to the new second-over on the turn, OK. The remainder were with a length of each other, far off the winner, at the wire: NEEDLESS TO SAY was three-wide to the first turn, tucked third, back underway before the ¼ to get the lead just before the 3/8, could not answer the winner ¾. LIMA RAIDER gapped inside. BB’S HARLEY moved outside but never got close. THE OTHER TWO never featured.
THIRD RACE – SHES SO SWEET went right to the lead, seated a foe, then yielded to the chalk for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, went by fractionally midstretch, never extended that advantage vs. a game foe but did beat her out. SO IRRESISTIBLE was satisfied with tucking third early, then moved off the first turn to the lead 3/8 and got a rating to the half, challenged by the winner and gave away a small advantage midstretch, but paced on gamely to just miss. BACI BACI left, opted not to fight the winner at the 1/8 but took the early pocket, inside, deep Pike, good. RABLE gapped early, uncovered early on turn two, got to the leader’s wheel but no closer before falling back (just a bit) in the last 3/16. INDRA HANOVER was third-over behind gapping cover, three-wide just past the ¾, not bad from a tough spot. MAJOR HOULIHAN was second-over, gapped, blindswitched far turn, couldn’t enter the main picture.
FOURTH RACE – TRUSSED UP TRUDY was the innermost of four leavers in a six-horse field and certainly took advantage of geometry, forced two tucks then hung a hard-used foe to the front past the 3/8, sat behind the fast pace then went to the Pocono Pike, grinded by late. THE LADY SHERIFF was four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide before being able to get the lead past the 3/8 in fast fractions, continued at a quick clip, was game but got a little weary very late. JUSLIKEAQUEEN was two-wide to the early pocket, eased outside past midturn, clearly third. SHE’S A BILLIONAIR was clearly best of the rest. LULU DE VIE was away slowly and never got close. MSAMERCASWEETHART A was three-wide to the 1/8 then took back to tuck, not heard from again.
FIFTH RACE – Mild stretch headwind starting … INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW left, was tucking when taking one bad step before the first turn (where her “b.e.” might have occurred), started uncovered towards turn two, grinded away, came her back half in 55.2 in a very brave victory. AP BLAZE OF GLORY was third-over far turn, ducked between horses from last headstretch and came through well to win a big scramble for second. BEACH CRAZY took back early, stayed in, to the deep Pocono Pike and had some pace. SO DIVA moved raw 3/8 but soon got cover, three-wide headstretch, OK. ROLL ON MAMA lived up to her name, went a fast third quarter trying to deal with the winner, not quite enough. ATOMIC FIREBALL secured the pocket, had her chance in the Pike but came up empty.
SIXTH RACE – SWAN BY LAND yielded for the pocket, took to the Pocono Pike, went by midstretch, held off the closers to give Tom Jackson a win in his first local appearance of 2021. INFINITE ZETTE went in fourth before the 3/16, then went second-over, three-wide off the turn, OK. WILLIS THE MAN was last among the main group until the ¾, then moved outside, four-wide headstretch and finished well. ORIGINAL SMOKEY made the top 3/16 and set the pace, got no middle-half resistance, couldn’t maintain the lead to the wire. CARTIER BI sat in, evenly. TUFF TO BE LINDY had some speed, vacated third to go raw 11/16, faded a bit late. CHECK MY SCORE wanted to leave but broke. MONEY MOVES was offstride an 1/8 before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – Stretch headwind increasing … ANDOVERS TOUCH quickly outleft all foes, yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and won easily. SEVEN KNIGHTS moved out of third before the 11/16, steadily late. LADY EAGLE quarter-moved from second, set the pace, came up shy at crunch time. SEVEN IRON had some kick in the latter stages. COURT’S N SESSION was uncovered past the 5/8, got cover but gapped it, ducked inside late turn, fair. WILLY MOUSE was never a factor. TRAVELLER was moving outside into the second turn but broke.
EIGHTH RACE – BLESSINGSANDFAVOR moved second-over at the half, went three-wide before midturn, got the lead into the stretch, opened a good lead then withstood CHOCOLATE MATTERS. The latter settled in third and gapped the early battle, backed out to third-over and the lively tier 11/16, three-wide not keeping with the winner’s cover far turn, then came on strongly late. SECRET EDGE wanted the lead but was forced to accept the pocket, then shuffled late on the far turn, found room between horses upper stretch, OK recovery. CAN DO IT ALL got in fourth early, went raw at the half and trotted up to fight the leader, took a brief lead approaching headstretch but was all done at that point. ARWEN DE VIE got a slow start, couldn’t keep up with the main action throughout. GHIBLI put an early foe in behind, rated the half, had pressure in the third quarter, nothing left the last 3/16. FLAME AWAY misstepped before the initial turn.
NINTH RACE – ONE DIRECTION was three-wide to the first bend and in front at the 1/8, had things his own way on the front end and won comfortably. PHANTOM RUSTY sat in third, came up the Pocono Pike and trotted steadily. INNER PEACE yielded to ride in the two-hole, outside late turn, lost ground in the stretch. WINNING GENE settled back in fourth past the 1/8, moved out ¾, swung wide headstretch, OK. THE OTHER THREE did not have any say in this outcome.
TENTH RACE – CARRINGTON forced an early lineup, had only MILIEU HANOVER stay close after the favorite fell back past the half, kept to mild urging to the wire to hold that one off in 55.1 – 27.2. The latter sat second, a bit loose when the pace increased down the backstretch, outside early stretch and gained, but not enough. IN HIGH COTTON and REALIZATION retucked around the fader early backstretch but never got close; MILEY ROSE backed out behind those two, retucked, no factor, finished with “b.e.” ALWAYS B DANCING stayed close until just past the half, when she suddenly had no forward gear, was pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – Drizzly conditions for the next couple … SOME DEAL HANOVER left and got a pocket trip, outside shortly into the stretch and powered home nicely. BARRYWHITE HANOVER set the pace on his own terms, not enough late. JIM ROCKS left a little gap in third much of the way, held that position. SETH HANOVER moved uncovered 9/16, evenly. THREE DRAGONS was very wide leaving then tucked, was second-over, evenly. IMAMAJORPLAYER was not a major player here. SHAKEALEG HANOVER was looped leaving and didn’t get in until the 5/16, fell back 11/16. SOCIAL THOUGHT pulled uncovered 3/8 and was moving up when breaking going into the second turn. CAVIART SKINNER was well off the gate and had no pace.
TWELFTH RACE – A BETTER GAME started outside from last into turn two, had cover from off the second turn but couldn’t reach it, uncovered mid-far turn, kept coming in steadily and just nipped BRIAR right on the money. The latter hustled out of fourth into the backstretch, went up to challenge and cleared to an open lead on the far turn, just failed to last to the line. IDEAL HANNAH backed out ¾ behind the winner, finished steadily. WELLTHERACEISON was in the pocket when shuffled around the turn as the pacesetter faded, couldn’t recover. ADELIA HANOVER was never prominent. EMORI HANOVER crossed right over to the top, set the pace, had no more when challenged ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Wind calmed after the sprinkles … MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE was outside midpack early then in gear to the 3/16, waited for the pocketpuller to clear then went past him past the 3/8, drew away in the 30 last quarter. CIMERONKEN was out past the 1/8 to grab the stick, saw two brush by, moved outside late turn after the winner was gone, along for the distant second. TYSON yielded then quarter-moved in front of the winner, yielded just past the 3/8 for the two-hole, little response the last ¼. MOOSE MADNESS was a little off the gate, out at the half and soon coverless due to a breaker, one-geared without threatening. PUERTO RICO never was a major factor. BOY MEETS GIRL K gapped at the back. CAMPBELLINI was starting to roll uncovered at the half but soon jumped it off.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MORROCKIN K didn’t leave but was underway before the ¼, waited for another early mover to clear then assumed command before the 3/8, had twin 27.4s coming home to hold off the only one to stay close, CRAZY COOL. That one made two early speed moves then yielded for the pocket, went on steadily but wasn’t threatening late. SANGRIA JULIE moved outside on the far turn and got the distant third. BETTER BID HANOVER went to the lead going to the 1/8, saw two go by early, not much response in the last 1/8. TSM PRINCESS LEXI went to the Pocono Pike but was a bit rough and didn’t gain. LAZY DAY HANOVER moved outside from far behind but never gained. NOPE NOT YET never featured. RED RED HOT was looking to leave but broke.
Apr 20, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature in the mid 50s; stretch headwind … GIVEN UP TERROR left and tucked third, stayed in then backed out midturn and quickly went three-wide, had the lead by early stretch and won easily. BYE BYE JOHN was uncovered just before the half, held on well to take second ahead of DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS. The latter defended the pocket early, shuffled a little as the winner went by, but then got the Pocono Pike and still couldn’t outkick a horse who had been raw the last half. AFTER THE LOVIN left a small gap much of the way, blocked into the stretch, came between horses with a little bit of late pace. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was last most of the way, wide in the stretch, fair. INDIGO ART blasted away from the pole to set the pace with wind-appropriate fractions, had nothing left in the lane.
SECOND RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE was third-over behind bad cover, went three-wide midturn just before his decaying cover broke, finished nicely and took the decision in the final strides. NEWS WATCH stayed in, went up the deep Pocono Pike, actually got the lead deep stretch at almost 29-1, just edged. HIGHVIEW CONALL N took control from the pole and set wind-appropriate fractions, came under pressure late backstretch through the first half of the turn, still had the lead well past midstretch but tired. HES GONE BADDER stayed in, then out in a blindswitch, had to back out behind the winner upper stretch and got going too late. HEEZ ORL BLACK N went into the pocket to the first curve, to the Pike but didn’t offer too much. BAYONET tucked third 3/16, out raw 5/8 under urging, went up and challenged before tiring midturn. SHRIMP AND GRITS lost contact at the rear. SPORTSMANSHIP moved outside off the second turn, gapped as soon as getting cover 5/8, broke midturn.
THIRD RACE – PILOT HANOVER sat in down the back and gapped slightly, then slid outside past the ¾ and gradually got a little quicker, wide in the lane and up in the last two steps. CEFFYL DWR was three-wide leaving, then two-wide most of the ¼ before tucking third, uncovered 5/8 and went up to challenge, got the lead early stretch, almost lasted to the line. KILLER INSTINCT came out 11/16, three-wide past midturn, finished well. HALLS OF VALOR protected the pocket, stayed tight, got through after the leader broke with a minimum of damage, a step shy. FATHER OF IRELAND moved outside, wasn’t tight on cover, blindswitched late turn, angled inside through the stretch, fair. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER broke at the start, caught the field but was never in contention. SOOT HANOVER was on top at the 1/8 and set a pretty good pace for this type, lost composure just past midturn and was taken inside.
FOURTH RACE – GREAT UNKNOWN was well off the first quarter duel, got in gear 5/8 and quickly gained uncovered, to the lead late on the turn and drew away, with his own last half in 55.3. MOON BRIDGE followed the winner, left uncovered when that one cleared, second-best. SWEET HEART AS gapped when the first two moved later on the backstretch, then found better steps on the turn and moved outside, finished well. LIFE WELL LIVED was out most of the ¼ in a fight for the lead, set the pace, did not have an answer to the winner’s challenge, fell back. MARION GONDOLIER contested the brisk ¼ then yielded for the pocket, stuck behind the tiring leader on the far turn, but then had little when going to the Pocono Pike. BRONZE YANKEE broke early. ATABOY HANOVER started gapping off turn two.
FIFTH RACE – IN DULCE DECORUM was two-wide in the second half of the field when he stumbled and fell 3/16, with RARE MUSCLE unable to avoid him; both were DNFs; the accident did not materially affect the race … TRICKY DICK left three-wide to get the lead going to turn one, yielded at the end of the frontstretch for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually picked up CREDIT CON. The latter was on the move from fourth before the 5/16 and made the top before the turn, set the rest of the pace, was handled cautiously around the far turn as a loose horse was kept well out of the way of the field, couldn’t quite sustain late. SHARE THE WEALTH got an early spot, stayed in to the ¾, gained well in the last stanza. BY A HOFF HANOVER was under a good hold just before the start, left widest, accepted the pocket 3/16, stayed in, not all that much late. MADDYS LEADING MAN never entered the picture. SAN CRISTOBAL never factored before making a stretch break.
SIXTH RACE – POND JUMPER was away second, on the move before the ¼ to the top not too much after that station, set the pace, came home in 57.1. WISENHEIMER made the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, held his ground without threatening. MAGIC VACATION was looped early and tucked third past the 1/8, moved outside midturn, couldn’t gain but far ahead of the rest. LANDONFITZ was locked in on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and the best of the rest. LAKEVIEW TAMMY started gapping towards the 5/8. NATALIE HANOVER never featured. CRITICAL MASS was always near the rear. NOBLE WARRAWEE tried to gain from far back down the back but couldn’t.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind is calming … INDICTABLE HANOVER took the shortest way around and finished with a pair of 27.4s to win easily. WESTERN HILL was second-over, three-wide 11/16 the duration, just up on the money to get second. ROCK THREE TIMES stayed in and gained some, to the Pocono Pike, not far off second. DO YA THINK left, went in third before the 1/8, outside midbackstretch with rocking but never gained menacingly. CENTURY ENFORCER was three-wide to the first bend, went on to the pocket to the 3/16, couldn’t keep up the last quarter. DRAGON STRIKES was third-over slightly off his cover, a bit on the end. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN never featured; nor did ABSOLUTE INTENT.
EIGHTH RACE – RAINBOWINTHEWEST had great cover, lost it 11/16 and went up uncovered, got an advantage on the turn and kept it to the finish. CONSUS VICTORY was outside but gapped cover much of the backstretch, better towards the ¾, wide off the far turn and easily second. RIVER OTTER went up between horses early to get the two-hole, backed out to avoid a shuffle 11/16, gapped some on the turn, next in line. FOREVERHILLREIGN moved uncovered on turn two and challenged, went by 11/16, but had little left the last quarter. O JONNIE was inside and shuffled, evenly. KEYSTONE SERGEANT had an excess of cover to deal with. BRUTAL STORM never got a call. TIGHT LINES was looped early, in gear 3/16 to the top 3/8, tried to resist the brusher down the backstretch but gave way before the ¾. BELLA AVA was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, pushed a foe to the 3/8 and yielded, didn’t show too much the last 3/8.
NINTH RACE — ROYALTYWESTHO was the first to show, pushed past the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole trip, Pocono Pike, along in time. TOPVILLE ANGELINA worked up to get command past a speedy opener, got a bit of a rest but was under attack most of the quick backstretch, shook that one off, held gamely. GRANT ME THIS stayed in, went to the deep Pike, good. MAJOR BATTLE got forward position early, uncovered off turn two and had a big battle with the leader, held OK. ABIGAIL DAWN was buried in last, weaved while gaining in the lane but never was fully clear. BRING ME DIAMONDS was second-over, gapped 11/16. LADY LONDON was third-over, went between horses in the lane but never got in the main picture.
TENTH RACE – TOP ME OFF made the lead 3/16 and kept the field strung out the first ¾, held solid challengers to both sides late but preserved the advantage to the wire. TART TONGUE got the early lead then yielded for the pocket, had his chance up the Pocono Pike, OK. BLACK TIE BASH gapped down the back but was much better as the last quarter went on, finishing strongly. ROBBIE PEV sat third until popping out past the ¾, OK. CAPITAL T STORM and HOOLIE N HECTOR were far back most of the way and never reached. SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN gapped in last. WINGMAN HANOVER started to gap early in the backstretch, broke far turn while out of it.
ELEVENTH RACE – HEAT WAVE HANOVER gradually ranged up to take over past the 3/16, pushed a foe a ways before surrendering the top for the pocket, a trifle loose down the back, but ready to go when sent to the Pocono Pike and worked by. KING ALPHONSO moved outside off turn one, took most of the frontstretch to clear to the lead, came home in 56.1 but still couldn’t hold although trying hard. HARNESS AM got early positioning, outside past the ¾ but didn’t gain and ducked back in headstretch, just held third over MUSHANA. The latter stayed in, showed a good last 1/8. NEXTROUNDSONME never was a major danger. NATURAL KEMP was last, began losing contact before the ½.
TWELFTH RACE – BETTERB CHEVRON N tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved uncovered 11/16 and went to challenge pacesetting GEORGIE MARTIN N, paced her own last half in 55.1 in a nice victory. The latter was in quite a tussle to the 3/16 before asserting herself, got a breather to the half and didn’t have much pressure until the ¾, not quite enough late sprint. LITTLE SANDY TOES slid in behind the winner 1/8 then moved out behind that one but gapped on the turn, doing better late. SWEET YOUNG THING was head-to-head well past the 1/8 before reluctantly taking back for the two-hole 3/16, a little loose late turn, evenly late. TRAFFIC JAM moved out third-over ¾, some late pace. DELISHKA N never showed much of anything here. THE OTHER TWO gapped the main pack the last half.
Apr 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Good +1” throughout the day, which featured temperatures from the mid- to upper-40s … Stretch tailwind … BLOW A CLOUD N came out raw at the 5/8, got cover from the pocketpuller ¾, had the most pace to the wire. JANAID made the lead, extended the favorite almost to the second turn in fast fractions before yielding, came out again ¾, got a small lead late on the turn, which he preserved until late. WILSONS VINNER gapped off turn two, caught up and could move to the pocket, had the option of the Pocono Pike but chose to pull out behind the first-over then duck inside him midstretch, steadily. WAGON MASTER moved with cover, circled wide but couldn’t quite reach. BUSBOY HANOVER was never a factor. SPORTS TEEN left, was hung out through almost all of 28.1/55.3 en route to the lead into the second turn, set the pace, wilted in the last 3/16. ALWAYS THE SUN considered leaving but took back, got on a line badly late on the first turn, lost contact past the half.
SECOND RACE – SCOTT ROCKS was out 3/16 for the front in a fast quarter, rolled along, under encouragement the last 3/16, may have bore out some but held gamely. P L MUNSON tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, used the Pocono Pike and almost made it. LYONS AMUSEMENTS went away quickly to grab the lead, yielded 3/16 and sat the two-hole, considered coming out early stretch but chose to go between horses, good but not quite enough. LEAR SEELSTER started uncovered to the half, never reached the wheel of the pocket horse but went on steadily. TULLOW N offered little. SOMEBEACH BARON swung wide from third-over 11/16 blindswitching SIMPLE KINDA MAN; neither entered contention. DA MAGICIAN labored at the rear.
THIRD RACE – FERNADO left behind cover, went three-wide 5/16 to have the momentum to clear before the second turn and just did so in a cutthroat half, went on to open a big lead at the 5/8 and maintained clear space behind him to the wire while understandably tiring. RANGERS SURESHOT was in the lively outer flow well behind the winner, left uncovered on the far turn, OK to be second. MYIDEALSON N gapped cover, then found a bit better pace as the tempo slowed. REDHOT ROMEO sat in and was shuffled back to last then outside behind a gapping one, unfurled with steady pace. AN THE THUNDEROLLS moved uncovered into turn two, went into an empty pocket ¾ but had little left. WISE IMAGE was hung past the 27.2 opener, then was between horses to get the lead before the 3/8, yielded into turn two in the lightning (under the circumstances) half, gapped out 5/8. JEREMES GENERAL had the rail and hung two foes a long way briskly, started gapping off turn two.
FOURTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN started to move before the half but had to wait on the outer tier forming, third-over, four-wide just past the ¾ (about as early as you’ll see a horse four-wide here and winning), kicked very strongly in the latter stages and overhauled GROOVY JOE. The latter was urged leaving, on top at the 3/16, got pressure down the back, held very nicely. RODEO ROCK wound up second-over, not really smooth down the back, three-wide early on the far turn, finished steadily. YANKEE ROLLER A was on top at the 1/8, ceded the front for the pocket 3/16, had his chance in the lane but couldn’t summon enough. SEEL THE DEAL N stayed in, deep Pike, couldn’t reach. BABES DIG ME left well, came out at the half and moved up in the third quarter, but flattened in the fourth.
FIFTH RACE – POLAK A made the front just past the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, outside late on the turn, was passed to the inside but fought on and was up by a nostril in the last step. LORD OF MISRULE let and yielded, stayed third-in, got to the Pike, took a short lead just past midstretch, just edged. SWEET TALKIN SATIN left and was behind cover to just past the 1/8 then went up, took over 5/16, didn’t get pressure on the lead, just outsprinted home. KEYSTONE STEAM was three-wide to the 1/8 before settling in fifth past that point, uncovered before turn two, never reached but bettered the others. JUST PLAIN LOCO came out third-over but ducked back in, evenly. RECORD MACHINE did not feature. SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD came second-over on the second turn, three-wide ¾ but never gained.
SIXTH RACE – ALBERGO HANOVER used the rail to maximum effect, parked challengers three-wide to the 3/8, yielded early on turn two for the pocket, had to wait for the Pocono Pike but once clear paced to the fore in the slowing tempo. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU was outside with cover early off the top three, in before the ¼, gapped in front of the grandstand, outside just past the half and soon three-wide to circle the parked horse to two-wide raw past the 5/8, kept coming at the leader during and past a wild 3/4s, made the lead with an 1/8 to go, held with great courage though bearing out a little. SWEET N FAST N followed the path of the place horse from the half, edged in some late as things decelerated. PROVEN DESIRE was widest in the lane with some pace. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS was three-wide fully to the 3/8 in a wild battle, to two-wide to clear on the clubhouse turn, got new pressure from late backstretch, tired. CLASS SIX left between horses, urged to try to clear 5/16 but instead got looped past the 3/8 and left raw two-wide, fell back. HORSING AROUND kept the pocket closed, then fell back by an ever-widening margin from the 9/16.
SEVENTH RACE – THE WALL was three-wide to the first turn to command to the 3/16, rated the second quarter then sped up and nobody got near him, didn’t hit the wall but kept going to the wire. WARRAWEE UNIQUE made the lead at the 1/8 and yielded for the two-hole, outside headstretch, gained a little late but not enough. CAPTAIN MCKEE had some early foot, swung wide headstretch from third-in, also gaining a little but not enough late. NEWBIE stayed inside, no factor. WHEN YOU DANCE took back early, moved uncovered at the half but never got close; TREVOR ONE followed that one’s cover but gapped it. HALLIE’S COMET had a problem before the 3/16 and was pulled up.
EIGHTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION was three-wide to the first turn, got the point beyond the 3/16, backed off the half then had twin 27.4s coming home to keep BAMSKI safe. The latter got positioning to the first turn, started uncovered going into turn two, grinded up and reached the winner before the ¾, gave that one a hard fight home in a good mile. BURNING MIDNIGHT was second-over, gapped some ¾, distant next-best. SUNSET BRAYDON stayed in, blocked late on the turn, to the Pocono Pike, so-so, reported back with “b.e.” IN SPADES was third-over, gapped a gapper ¾. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was never a factor here. A REAL MIRACLE went out between horses to 1/8 command, yielded past the 3/16 for the pocket, stayed tight until suddenly backing off midturn.
NINTH RACE – TRENTE DEO got out in a good flow after a fast half, left uncovered to the ¾, had gotten ahead before headstretch and extended his advantage through the lane to win in fast time. WINDSONG JACK moved uncovered 9/16 and made a big burst, pacing his own third split in 27, to get the lead late on the backstretch, proved no match for the winner on his back, just did hold second. MY MIND IS MADEUP was third-over, gapped far turn, closed some to be photoed for second. REVELRY was fourth-over, didn’t enter the picture. PRINCE OF TIDES was urged leaving, got the pocket, was quarter-mover #1, yielded to QM #2 towards turn two, was shuffled late backstretch, out in a blindswitch but didn’t gain once clear. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was QM #2, left uncovered 5/16 and under urging to clear early second turn, done when challenged towards the ¾. WHITE HAIR ROCKS was very fast leaving wide right to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, in, shuffled some, outside turn, very little left.
TENTH RACE – ONE EIGHT HUNDRED was extended to clear to the lead 3/16, really backed down the middle half, then drew away without asking in a 27.1 last quarter on a day when no other race came home faster than 27.4. WARRAWEE WHYNOT gave the winner a good tussle before yielding, sat the two-hole, started to get loose mid-far turn, held second in a good outing. STOP STARING backed out second-over, three-wide into the lane and lost a little ground straightening away, then finished nicely. TREVOR’S ACE tucked third, in, went to the Pocono Pike but had little to offer. SIX DEGREES was buried last, found room between horses midstretch and had kick once clear. MOVE THE LINE had some early foot, in then backed out to third-over 11/16 but couldn’t get in the hunt. BATTERUP HANOVER came from last uncovered and got to the winner’s wheel ¾, but had nothing left in the last 1/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – COALITION HANOVER briefly settled third to the 3/16, then soon was on his way to get the top 3/8, had to fight off in turn the first-over and then the Pocono Piker, but stayed strong to the wire. CAPTAIN SLEAZE forced an early tuck, then yielded when the winner came calling to the 3/8, waited, went inside, held his ground well but couldn’t go by. STELLAR YANKEE came raw from last on turn two, gradually ranged up to cover on the backstretch, wide in the lane and closed well. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE had the pocket early, moved out again before the 5/8 and pressed the winner, faded only a little. AQUAMAN HANOVER had little inside. BUD TRUCK couldn’t keep up the last ½.
TWELFTH RACE – HE’S A SNOB quarter-moved under tap urging and made the lead 3/8, drew clear on the turn and kept rolling to the wire. MAD MAN HILL stayed outside early, in gear at the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, loose in the two-hole from the 5/8, did a little better late but was not getting to the winner. KYUQUOT rushed raw 9/16 out of fifth and made up a lot of ground, fell back a little on the turn but continued to pace on doggedly to the wire. MAJOR MAKOVER was able to swing out all the way to four-wide late turn, had good pace late. TARKIO went right to the lead, yielded, backed out to second-over 11/16 but gapped some. TERRY A HANOVER never entered the main picture. WIN PLACE ‘N SHOW trailed to gain outside down the back but tired 3/4 without getting close.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ALEX TYE was on the move from third at the 1/8 to take over the racetrack at the ¼, yielded to the chalk for the two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike, proved the best today. CAPTAIN NASH started raw early on turn two and made a big move to go up towards the leader, lost ground the first half of the far turn, but kept on pacing determinedly in a good showing. BRAVO TEX N was last, four-wide late turn and charging home very strongly late. PATERNITY SUIT A quarter-moved, set the pace and looked to be in control, but came up shy at crunch time. JAHAN HANOVER was first on top then relinquished, boxed in on the turn, was going evenly when having to steer a bit wide of the tiring pacesetter late. DIVISION BELL came up the deep Pike and wasn’t bad. DIRT ON MY BOOTS was second-over gapping slightly, three-wide past midturn but could offer little late.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT left behind cover and tucked, quarter-moved but waited on the chalk’s early move, then sent three-wide to the 3/8 to two-wide to clear early on turn two, went a fast third quarter and was very impressive today. AFLAME HANOVER was three-wide past the 1/8, tucked third, quarter-moved in front of the winner, cleared to the lead between horses 3/8, yielded, could do no more than hold his ground late. BILL HALEY N was first to the top, saw two brush by in quarter two, evenly late to maintain third in the fast mile. SCOOTNROLL sat in, gapped on the far turn, next. BELL I NO gapped in last but took the inside path to the last check. CAPTAIN CASH preserved the pocket early, then moved uncovered before the 5/8, never got close and formed a clogging “wedge” from well before the ¾ with CENTURY FURY, who moved three-wide 5/8 but never got into the action. JOESSTAR OF MIA A was outside, hampered by these two and lost all chance.
Apr 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
F
FIRST RACE – From the high 50s to the mid 60s during the card … TRY TRY AGAIN used the rail to advantage, yielded for the early pocket, looked to move just past the ¼ but was rebuffed and retucked, waited for the Pocono Pike, then caught pacesetting TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP. The latter left between horses and went on to 3/16 command, kept two different challengers from getting the top, held well late. WILLIE B WORTHY moved outside to the half and trotted up to cover, three-wide early in the far turn, came home steadily but came up shy. NAMJE took back early, sat in, went to the deep Pike, may not have had full clearance. BROADWAY BRUISER got into the flow third-over, evenly late. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE showed little. URSIS DES CAILLONS left three-wide well past the 1/8, backed off but found no hole, went up again nearing turn two to challenge and pressed in the third quarter, tired but not too badly.
SECOND RACE – Stretch tailwind starting … STOP RESISTIN backed out to trail up second-over into turn two, three-wide midturn, came home steadily then held off CLARION HALL. The latter originally stayed in then backed out to third-over at the half, three-wide with cover on the turn, still last past midstretch but finished with a rush. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR stayed in, out into a blindswitch headstretch, found a stretch seam and moved through well. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC started uncovered at the 5/16 and reached just outside the leader 9/16, went 27.4 against the wind down the back to challenge, stayed right in the fight until very late. FINAL DREAM left and got the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough. DARTY moved out quickly to the lead, came under pressure early in the backstretch, weakened a bit late. GOLDEN SON broke right at the start, recovered and caught the field by the ¼, but then couldn’t get into the main action.
THIRD RACE – SURE R LOOKIN GOOD went quickly to the lead, never let the uncovered favorite get to with a length of her down the back, then drew off impressively in the last ¼. LET ‘ER BUCK was looped, got in third at the ¼, uncovered before the 5/8, clearly second-best. SPEAKING OF COFFEE came out at the half, had cover before the 5/8 but gapped it, distant third. SUNRISE HANOVER defended the pocket early, gave ground the last 5/16. SIGSBEE sat in and was boxed in on the turn, finished with some pace in the Pocono Pike. RHYME N ROLL stayed in, evenly. WINNING WORDS went three-wide from behind dull cover but couldn’t get into the picture. LADY PHOENIX moved outside, gapped a gapper. NARINA HANOVER wasn’t in the main hunt when making a break headstretch.
FOURTH RACE – ALPINE tucked just behind the early three-way war, moved coming off the second turn and grinded up to clear nearing the ¾, a safe winner. P L OLIVIA was innermost of the three early battlers, yielded past the quick opener to sit the two-hole, came out on the turn after the winner had gone by and was three-wide headstretch, finished very nicely. LEXA HANOVER was between horses well past a 27.2 opener before getting command, kept the winner out most of the backstretch, tired some. R SPEED OF LIGHT was three-wide virtually the entire ¼, then backed off to tuck third, came out behind the winner past the 5/8, left uncovered towards the ¾, didn’t have much more to give. PRAIRIE VIRTUE and LILYBET never entered the picture. MYREANNA was last when making a break early backstretch, regained stride then broke again after the ¾.
FIFTH RACE – FRANKLY MY DEAR was three-wide to the first turn then went on to get the lead 3/16, strung out the field in quarter two despite slowing it and kept the opposition well in her wake thereafter. ORANGE ZEST gained forward position to turn one, moved outside just past early stretch and finished well to be along for second. CHEESY HANOVER left well and got the top before turn one, yielded for the pocket 3/16, couldn’t quite preserve second late. NANCY BAR backed out to second-over 11/16, three-wide late turn, moving well under the wire. GRACEFUL TITAN was uncovered past the half but never reached the winner. SECRET EDGE offered little. PRAIRIE TRINKET looked to be struggling to keep up by the 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – BILLY CLYDE was handled cautiously while three-wide early, went frontward from just before the 1/8, a bit wide at one point but powered on to command soon off the first turn, slowed the half, then came home in 54.3 – 27 and looked within himself. REST ASSURED left well, hit the point at the 1/8, yielded past the ¼, a bit loose in the third quarter but very good in the latter stages. BEACH TOWN BOY gained position at the start, then was caught behind a gapper, angled out headstretch and along for the distant third. KAUAI KING started uncovered on turn two, couldn’t make progress in the rapid back half. YOUR HONOR never factored. INTELLIGENT AM was well back. MONTERREY JACK was out near the back from the start, got cover, blindswitched 5/8, not a major presence. AMAZON broke off the turn before the start, recovered and joined the outer tier, went three-wide 5/8 but soon flattened significantly.
SEVENTH RACE – BREEZING PRAYER was four-wide early, three-wide past the 1/8, then two-wide to the lead just past the ¼, strung the field out in quarter two and didn’t get much pressure, got a couple of late taps in warding off HAVANA OOH NANA. The latter used inside positioning to defend the pocket, made up a little ground late. COUNT CHOCALOT was second-over at the 5/8, three-wide midturn, closed for third. CROWN FASHION started raw past the half, got to the wheel of the pocketsitter to the ¾ but no closer. SHELL SHOCK moved wide with cover far turn and had some trot on the end. NEWYORKBLUEBLOOD sat in, out into a blindswitch late far turn, had some stretch traffic difficulty. DUKE OF LINDY left between horses, backed off to tuck third, couldn’t keep up late.
EIGHTH RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY left a gap behind the top two most of the first half, got in gear before the 5/8 and grinded up, worked past GERARD late. The latter made the top quickly (aided when the rival starting just inside him broke early), set the pace he wanted, almost lasted to the line. DAGON HANOVER moved third-over, finished alertly. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK sat the pocket, no more forward gain the last 3/16. ROOKIE SEASON sat in with little. DRAIN THE SWAMP was never prominent. SEVEN NATION ARMY moved out second-over, was swinging three-wide headstretch when going offstride. ARMANI HANOVER was leaving when breaking.
NINTH RACE – TONIANNE went right to the top, put a foe behind her, set the pace, dealt with a backstretch challenger and then drew away in the last ¼. SWEETONTHEBEACH quickly went up into the pocket, couldn’t keep up to the ¾ but held on for second. MIKI THE CLOWN sat in third, had no room on the turn, had room in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain. PEAKS CRUISER appeared to want to move at the ¼ but rethought that tactic, then moved second-over, three-wide far turn as the winner was drawing away, could make up no ground. MORE THAN KUTE sat in, angled out early stretch but did not make her presence felt. TIAMOGONEDANCIN was off the gate, wasn’t in a lively cover tier. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI gapped third-over. DANCING TINA was underway raw on turn two and reached the leader well before the 5/8, went her third split in 27.1 but was tired after that move. LAST LUXURY lost contact.
TENTH RACE – ETRA DE VIE took back for the pocket 3/16, stayed close, inherited the lead when the pacesetter broke, wasn’t to be caught. KAYLA’S PLAYMATE got around non-fast starters, gapped some the middle half then was tighter ¾, OK going under the wire. TRIP SEVENS forced a tuck and set the pace, wasn’t the smoothest far turn but still clear early stretch when losing her gait; placed fourth for a violation of the breaking rules. FIRE UP didn’t get away well and was outside, got in gear past the 1/8 but made a brief break off turn one, regathered and went up to challenge for the lead, didn’t fade badly; an inquiry into her break showed no reason for placing. CANTABSLEADINGLADY made a short break after the start but mended quickly, then broke again going to turn two. SUNSHINEINTHERAIN wanted a quick start but lost composure right after the start. TRIX ME jumped at the ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – NO MAS DRAMA cleared at the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, had drama searching for room late on the turn and came out into a blindswitch, then deftly angled back in to midstretch and showed an instant burst to draw clear. LAZER JET yielded and sat third, backed out to second-over, three-wide towards late turn, had a short lead to midstretch but was caught to his left. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN rode in the two-path in one gear, grinded up to challenge down the back, actually made a short lead into the stretch, held with great endurance. PROTOSTAR gapped a bit third-over then was tighter on the turn while three-wide with cover, fair late. CAN’T SAY NO was inside, didn’t have much response when free. MISTER BOINGA had a lot of cover, but it was lively, couldn’t quite reach. HALL IT OFF was three-wide to the 1/8 and soon made the lead, wilted. MY BOY CHRISTIAN was out to follow cover 5/16 but broke, caught and was last, broke again past the 11/16.
TWELFTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY had one mission and accomplished it in an overwhelming mile. CAVIART VAL struggled to reach cover later on the backstretch but then hit a high gear, rolled four-wide off the far turn and finished powerfully. GONNAHAVEONEMORE tucked third at the 1/8, came out raw before the 11/16, held his ground well in a talented field. HORSE moved out 5/8 and soon got cover, three-wide but couldn’t get closer. SOCIAL THEORIES sat inside, not a factor. NOME HANOVER trailed most of the way. ESAI HANOVER left but took back to sit the pocket, bottomed out at the ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SO LONG HANOVER was very wide leaving, hit the top 3/16, refused to let a foe go in a vicious half, had enough to keep the late chargers at bay. WORTHY OF HONOR left and kept the hole closed, the only one with a shot in the stretch, ducked in, did well. STEEL SCHOONER came out towards turn two, rushed three-wide 5/8, to two-wide ¾, best of the others. RECIPROCALBLUECHIP made a break w-a-y before the start, recovered to get back in the cover flow, went along steadily in a good comeback. CHERRY RED was shuffled to last, wide around spent horses then ducked back in, not all that much late. TUIS SHADOW was three-wide with cover early getting around a break, went inside near the 3/16, outside and three-wide early in the backstretch to get to two-wide raw, tucked third ¾, gapped far turn. CELEBRITY ROLEX was very wide early, went up to try for the lead but was hung in a very fast half, faded soon thereafter. SANCHEZ ROCKS gapped 3/8 behind the early fight, then steadily fell back. AP HALL OF TRIX was in the middle of a bunch of leavers when breaking 1/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BULLVILLE TERROR moved rapidly the latter part of the backstretch to catch up to cover, three-wide with then without cover on the turn, still pacing strongly to the wire. TREY SURREAL pushed a foe past a fast quarter then yielded for the pocket, vacated same past the 5/8, went three-wide when the first-over couldn’t clear, swept and did himself clear to cross over late turn, second-best in a better mile than it may appear. ROCK IDOL sat in the back, came up the rail and was a distant third. WINDEMERE FRANK had forward position, moved to go head-and-head with the leader from past the half, faded in the stretch. FULL VIEW was under urging leaving to no visible effect, sat in, shuffled and moved two- and three-wide late turn but didn’t have all that much today. MCNEIL Z TAM was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide just past a very fast quarter to get control, came under hard attack just past the half, kept the uncovered horse two-wide, but then had nothing left to give late.
