Mar 18, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature ranged from 29o to 34o during the afternoon card; generally there was a stretch tailwind … ADAGIO DE LA TOUR went to command at the 1/8, shook off the first-over at the ¾ and didn’t appear to have any problem. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE backed out to second-over at the 5/8, three-wide late on the turn and second-best. ONE DIRECTION yielded for the pocket, couldn’t go enough late. MASSAMILLION was uncovered early on turn two and made good progress through the backstretch, but then tired at the ¾. PERSEVERANCE sat in, was no factor. POND JUMPER gapped third-over. UNABATING fell back in the last half. NICE STUFF took a bad step just after the gait sprung, then broke following cover early on turn two.
SECOND RACE – ROUTHLAND was out most of the quarter, made the top then yielded, gapped off turn two but had narrowed back in by the ¾, to the Pocono Pike and paced to the fore. COME ON RAAGS pushed the quarter and yielded, stayed third-in, under a hold early stretch waiting for clearance, finally went to the inside and just photoed out HULOU for second. The latter had cover early, took a 4-tuck for about 1.6 seconds then rushed up to get the lead 3/8, drew clear early backstretch but saw the field catch up late backstretch, tired. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN went uncovered into turn two and grinded up throughout the backstretch, couldn’t sustain forward progress past the ¾. MOONLIGHT SHADOW had very good second-over cover but had no pace in the last quarter. YUPYUPYUP backed out to third-over but could offer little. THE REMAINING PAIR were at the back throughout.
THIRD RACE – CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was three-wide to the 3/16 and two-high to the quick quarter in pursuit of the lead, yielded in front of the stands, to the Pocono Pike and outtrotted the closers in the 1:00 back half. DOODLE HANOVER was two-wide early and tucked fourth, then second-over late backstretch, three-wide headstretch, not quite enough. WINNIE THE GOO moved out 11/16 and was third-over on the turn, four-wide stretch and finished well. HAVANA OOH NANA rode inside, not quite enough. BATTLE QUEEN was between horses to command 3/16, yielded at the ¼ but came back out to get the lead in the 58 half, couldn’t sustain in the 1:00 back half. RARE MUSCLE left a big gap midrace, closer as the tempo decelerated late. GERARD never featured. SHELL SHOCK miscued 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN moved out down the back, three-wide late turn, still sixth midstretch but benefited from a race where every fraction was slower than the one before it (the last despite a tailwind). BY A HOFF HANOVER left some, gapped the middle half then got a bit closer, to the pocket and then to the Pocono Pike, did take a short advantage late but not quite enough. MADDYS LEADING MAN strung the field out until the far turn, came up a bit shy. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER went up into the pocket at the ¼, outside midturn, outkicked. STORM BRINGER gapped early, tighter and uncovered 5/8, didn’t tip wide into the stretch, evenly. DAGON HANOVER left between horses, took a tuck fourth, stayed in, nowhere to go as the pace slowed late. THE OTHER PAIR had their own private race far off the others.
FIFTH RACE – AWESOMENESS went right to the lead, aided when one early foe broke and another took the pocket, got no pressure on the lead, put to a drive through the lane to hold on to his margin. MR PROFETA was last sans the breaker, came all the way up the inside with steady foot. REAL LUCKY N gapped in third much of the middle half then tighter to the ¾, outside towards headstretch, stayed to task to the finish. STORMONT CZAR A moved raw 5/8, couldn’t make much headway but didn’t fade much either. ROLL WITH JEFF drove into the two-hole at the 1/8, couldn’t gain in the lane. CAPTAIN MCKEE tipped three-wide off cover early far turn but didn’t get in the picture. BRUCE’S MAGIC was looped, found no hole and spent the mile on the rim. MISS U BIG MIKE was never heard from. IN ROCK WE TRUST left well, was trying to get past the winner when making a break near the 1/8.
SIXTH RACE – BROADWAY BRUISER sat the pocket until late far turn, moved out and won handily. TYSON maintained connectedness, outside stretch, steady for second. CAMPBELLINI went right to command, didn’t have pressure until nearing the 7/8, but ran out of gas in the lane. DON’T SASS ME and ALEXANDER HANOVER rode inside and had little to offer. Some thirty lengths back, TW LAUXMONT, who gapped out down the back, crossed the wire on a break and was placed behind GALIXTON, who had gapped and then ran going to turn two.
SEVENTH RACE – MUSHANA left to grab the top at the ¼, didn’t get pressure, drew away. NATURAL KEMP moved uncovered from midpack before the 5/8, could pass everybody but the winner. INNER PEACE was the early leader then yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, stayed close, no punch in the lane. BUTTER TOFFEE moved second-over but gapped, a bit of trot in the stretch. NATALIE HANOVER and WINNING GENE could do little after inside trips. FRAC gapped down the backstretch. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD was a little off the gate and never entered the picture. STORM PARTY looked to be leaving but made an early misstep.
EIGHTH RACE – CREDIT FRAUD followed second-over from the half until going three-wide just past the ¾, gained, made the lead before midstretch, didn’t draw away but got the job done. URSIS DES CAILLONS raced into the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, good but had to settle for second. PIERCEWAVE HANOVER went right to the lead, set the pace, couldn’t make the advantage last. GOLDEN SON got in third past the 1/8 when a foe broke, swung out in the stretch and was moving well late. CLARION HALL was first-over but didn’t reach the leader, a bit tired late. ANDOVER ALL K stayed connected to headstretch, then had zero left in the tank. MOOSE MADNESS broke right at the start. SEBASTIAN U was trying to hold early position when misbehaving just past the 1/8.
NINTH RACE – TERRY A HANOVER left well but was forced to take the pocket, chose the Pocono Pike, got the lead past midstretch, just held PATRIOT LINE. The latter, pacing his last half in :56.1, moved third-over 5/8 then picked off horses one by one while three-wide on the far turn, kept on coming to the wire and just missed. START A RUCKUS forced the winner to tuck, git a slow half then picked it up, held well in the stretch duel. WIN PLACE’N SHOW sat third-in, to the deep Pike and didn’t miss taking the whole thing by very much. SICILY BEACH was second-over, blindswitched before mid-far turn and ducked in, didn’t have a clear path in the stretch. BENEVOLENCE was uncovered early on turn two, couldn’t reach the leader before tiring. MAX GASTANK DEAN gapped out. THE OTHER PAIR never were in the picture.
TENTH RACE – WILLIE B WORTHY put into the pocket early, considered an early move but stayed in, came uncovered past the 5/8 and went up to challenge, bore out to about 5-wide by the line but just beat out EXPLOSIVE MAGIC. The latter came out 3/8 but took the entire second turn (past the 57.1 half) to clear the leader, got pressure from the winner, almost lasted. MAGIC VACATION retucked down the back, then got cover ¾, wide headstretch and up for the distant third. SECTOR was a long way back but came up the inside well late. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP left, made the winner tuck then held a brusher out just past a fast half, faded the last 3/16, returned with “b.e.” SIX BAX couldn’t get going. MANWITHAMISSION stayed connected until late backstretch, moved out past midturn as the pocket horse tired, but himself could do little. TROLLER was out past the ¼ before tucking, made a break on the far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – THE LADY SHERIFF set the pace with two moves and had no problem at all in here. TRUSSED UP TRUDY took a spot at the 1/8, uncovered at the half, kept at her task and just grabbed second late over SHE’S A BILLIONAIR. The latter was looped and four-wide to the first turn, then to two-wide and hung until the 5/16 for the top, yielded to the retaker, unplugged ¾ but battled gamely in the fight for second. RELLA TIVITY was the first to go two-wide, got cover at the half but gapped it significantly. DANCE FOR KISSES was looped among a bunch early and took back, no factor. BETTOR BECAUSE A couldn’t keep pace. IAQUINTA never got a call. ENCHANTED EVA was five-wide heading to the first turn, needed until the ¼ to take back all the way to last, never again heard from. GATORS BEN WINNING started quickly, yielded, faded the last half.
TWELFTH RACE — CHEESE OMELET was behind a gapper early, moved fourth-over, three-wide ¾ and gained rapidly, paced to the fore in the last 100 feet. HIGH ST CORRIDOR was third-over, crucially blindswitched to midturn then backed out behind the winner, finished steadily. MIKI U SO FINE raced aggressively with two moves to have the lead at the fast half, still ahead with 100 feet to go but couldn’t quite make it. SPECIAL TYLER gained up the inside down the back, to the Pocono Pike, step-and-a-half short. TOPVILLE CRUISER had cover to the 3/16 then went on to get command 3/8, yielded for the pocket, no gain in the lane. REST ASSURED pushed and yielded 3/16, back out raw 9/16, tired in the stretch. PLAY THERAPY was never close. STEP ON THE GAS was second-over, did not swing wide and offered little late.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MEADOWBRANCH RICKY was just off the early wars, kicked the plugs at the half and moved outside, three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide raw before the ¾, won in hand. MASSIVE OPULENCE wasn’t driven like a 45-1 shot: parked with cover early, he went three-wide before the 3/8, got around the parked horse and then to the lead at the half, made the winner work for his victory. DARTY left well, kept the hole closed in the fast fractions, was shuffled some far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and had late trot. SPEED IT was in the outer flow but couldn’t stay with the winner, three-wide far turn, gained as the tempo slackened; ICINGON DE CUPCAKE used similar tactics with a similar result. RIVER OTTER went to the lead 3/16, parked one challenger then yielded to the sweeper before the half, started to get loose ¾. INAPERFECTWORLD and MAJOR IMPACT did not make their presence felt. SCHNICKEL FRITZ was looped, raced up but was given the cold shoulder in hot fractions, was looped at the half and remained outside, eventually tiring.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SEEL THE DEAL N was four-wide leaving, got to two-high and got to the point before the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, moved to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp response for the upset. BILBO HANOVER took back to tuck 1/8, then uncovered into turn two, grinded a long way, kept coming on in a game showing. BEACH BOOGIE left between horses, tucked, in, had to wait then found room between horses and moved well late. DO YA THINK was second-over, gapped the main action 11/16, three-wide headstretch, evenly. YUPPER sat in and was shuffled, spent most of the stretch angling wider to get room. IDEAL FLIP left to protect the pocket then quarter-moved, set the tempo, powerless late. THE OTHER PAIR were not major dangers.
Mar 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High to mid-30s during the twilight card … Strong stretch tailwind, reflected in many fractions … like the first race, where SPORTS TEAM left and made the lead 3/16, then kept a foe parked in a 55.1 half, left the pocket horse behind ¾, and ran away. DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was first in front, yielded for the two-spot and kept the hole closed, stayed close until the ¾, far ahead of the rest. NEEDLESS TO SAY was in another area code early backstretch, moved up three-wide and circled the rest to be a very remote third. STONEBRIDGE PROUD one-geared uncovered but couldn’t reach. CHICO ESTRELLA looked at leaving but took back, saved ground, got the last check. SKYWAY BILLY gapped early and was never in the main picture. DURANT was three-wide to the 1/8, briefly got cover then was hung raw from the 3/16, challenged hard for the lead in the (wind-aided) wild half but couldn’t clear, tucked late backstretch but understandably tired. GIVEN UP TERROR and SEDONA SEELSTER couldn’t keep up.
SECOND RACE – ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE spotted midpack just past the 1/8, started raw to turn two but got cover at the half and milked it for all it was worth, wide in the lane and just caught BB’S HARLEY. The latter started first-up at the half, reached the leader 11/16 and fought with that one head-to-head around the far turn, to the lead to midstretch, just caught by a fresher horse. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was third-over in a great flow but couldn’t go with the top two, beat out the rest. LUCKY LEVIS was looped early and pressed on to quarter command, under pressure from late backstretch, couldn’t hold up. BOBBIES POWER PLAY outleft everybody, yielded at the ¼, was crawling up the back of the leader 5/8, went to the Pocono Pike but didn’t gain. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT was wide, finished mildly. NAKED CITY was not a factor; nor was RED DIRT BOOMER. DONEGAL JIM was third-in, nothing to offer late.
THIRD RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was on the move 3/16 to get in front at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, trotted to the fore, then just withstood LINDY’S BIG BANG. The latter was looped early and went up to 3/16 command, saw two brush by, sat in, angled wide early stretch and found a high gear just a fraction too late. BELLA AVA got going near the ¼ and moved up to the front 3/8, came under pressure, photoed SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE for third. The latter cleared everybody early, then saw three different foes take the lead in the next quarter, underway again raw 5/8 and battled, tired some. CRAZYCAT got a slow start, was well-placed second-over but gapped ¾. THE REST brought up the rear of the field all the way.
FOURTH RACE – CERTIFIED IDEAL led the field all the way around. BRING ME DIAMONDS sat third until coming out ¾, fighting for second when the pocket horse broke, then clearly second. QUITE A DELIGHT was second-over behind dull cover, three-wide ¾, wider midstretch to be clear of the breaker, not a bad mile. JERICHO DIVA came up the inside late largely avoiding the trouble. GRANT ME THIS was three-wide gapping cover far turn, finished well belatedly. HURRICANE CALLEIGH could muster little. MISS IRISH ROSE A was always far back. PREMIER CABERNET went up to a 5-tuck at the 1/8, left a slight gap to the half, moved uncovered but never reached. KOTARE YARRA N raced into the pocket at the 1/8, still in contention for second looking for more pace when making a break before midstretch, causing confusion.
FIFTH RACE – ROOTIN TOOTIN tightened in in the early pocket, rethought a quarter-move and waited, outside headstretch and paced away. DRAGON STRIKES was very fast off the gate to the lead, rated the half then picked up the pace, couldn’t deal with the winner, held OK. BARGAIN SHOPPER sat third, outside in the lane, evenly. CLOUSEAU HANOVER was third-over, three-wide late turn then ducked between horses early stretch and was a distant next. CENTURY ENFORCER one-geared raw from nearing the 3/8, fell back far turn. MR MCDREAMY was looped and three-wide past the 1/8, looked to be in tight quarters and took back, then second-over, not enough late. GOLDEN GESTURE was looped and two-wide, also took back 3/16, not heard from again. PINE BUSH ROCKET had little to offer.
SIXTH RACE – TRAFFIC JAM was locked in by the parked horse early, which turned out to be good fortune as it allowed her to eventually scoot all the way up the inside to the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, took the lead, and measured off FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ. The latter went away enough to protect the pocket, pulled out behind the raw horse 11/16, swung wide into the stretch, lost too much ground to the horse hugging the inside. MORE MORE MORE left well and crossed right over, set the pace, got pressure the latter half of the backstraight through the turn, next in line. LIGHTNING VIRGIN was looped and three-wide at the 1/8 when bearing left and hooking a foe, briefly offstride but caught and tucked, stayed inside, evenly late, but placed for the first turn interference. DEUCES FOR CHARITY went three-wide around the parked horse early backstretch, back to two-wide, never could reach the leaders. TYRONBETTORSELLA N was never prominent. MARYMACISBACK avoided trouble early, gapped to the half then started uncovered, fought hard late backstretch through the turn, then tired. DONEGALARTCHOKIN N was looped and between horses, hooked by a foe, extricated herself but could find no hole and was left outside, done early backstretch.
SEVENTH RACE – THISISSHE was quickly on top, got a soft middle half without pressure, more than enough to hold off MUSCLE AVE. The latter sat in the two-hole, came out in the lane, good but second-best. NOBLE PRIZE tucked third just past the 1/8, went evenly late far ahead of the rest. TROTTING Z TAM advanced some with cover, three-wide late turn, best of the others. MINEFIELD HANOVER gapped inside. PHANTOM RUSTY didn’t get a call. KANDY KORN was uncovered from far back early on curve two, gained some until the 11/16 then flattened. SWISS PLATINUM made an error not far before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – LYONS AMUSEMENTS was four-wide and looped early, to two-wide at the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded to his main foe 3/8 and sat on his back, came out headstretch and gradually got the better of the stretch duel between the 6-5 “Nap” horses. GRITS N GRAVY was three-wide and double-looped early, proceeded up to grab command 3/8, didn’t get pressure, fought hard to the wire. LUZIANA moved uncovered into the backstretch, won a battle for third over HES GONE BADDER well off the top two. The latter started strongly and circled everybody, yielded, stayed in, struggling the last 3/16. I’M A GIFT never reached cover, got the last payday. BJ’S GUY took back early and was not heard from again; AWESUM ACE was never heard from. COLE PORTER N had lost contact before the 3/8.
NINTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICA IT raced into the pocket 3/16 then quarter-moved, set a decent clip stringing out the field a long way, had to fight off the pesky I GOT THE LOOKS in a tough duel. The latter was uncovered past the 3/8, never got cover and kept on grinding, never took a backwards step in a big outing. O JONNIE backed out to catch cover before the ¾, went on pretty well for third. SPOILER ALERT was forwardly-placed, blocked late turn into the stretch as the two-holer tired, to the Pocono Pike, fair. WISENHEIMER was three-wide most of 3/16 to get command, yielded for the two-hole, not much left in the last stanza. ANDOVERS TOUCH was looped and outside midpack until tucking past the ¼, not again prominent. VALLORIA N showed little. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke nearing the first turn.
TENTH RACE – ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP quarter-moved, got a moderate pace for this type, won easily. SOUTHWIND DREDGE left between horses and took the early pocket at the 1/8, inside, went to the Pocono Pike and seemed to get second more because TRAY SURREAL was tiring. The latter was three-wide leaving then two-wide to before the 3/16 to hit the front, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have much punch late. BULLVILLE TERROR was third-over then ducked in as the outer tier was sluggish, cleared midstretch and angled wide, a solid last 1/16. FULL VIEW was second-over, not helped by cover then empty when circling three-wide, taking a lot of show money with him. JUNIOR MAN started uncovered towards turn two but could not muster the speed to be a contender. THE OTHER PAIR had no say in the outcome of this one.
ELEVENTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER started uncovered off turn two, went by nearing the ¾, in no doubt after that. LITTLE ADMIRAL was third-over, ducked in for the stretch and finished steadily to catch INDIGO ART for second late. The latter was three-wide early and took a tuck, then second-over, left raw on the turn, just failed to preserve the deuce in the shadow of the wire. ALTA SHELBY N went away between horses and got in third, shuffled as the leader gave way then outside on the turn, best of the rest. GRANDPA DON gapped. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN pushed away hard, yielded, shuffled out of it when the leader tired ¾. BIG GAME HUNTER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-high to get the lead at the ¼, offered no resistance when the winner came at the ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – WILBERFORCE was three-wide leaving, made the lead 3/16 and just kept pouring it on in a most impressive mile. VALLEY OF SIN left and protected the pocket, stayed fairly close until fairly late. RAINBOWINTHEWEST was uncovered from the half, trotted on determinedly. CONSUS VICTORY tucked third past the 1/8, gapped the last 3/8. KING ALPHONSO was second-over while never close to the lead, three-wide late turn, made no impact. STOP RESISTIN had cover after leaving, tucked before the ¼, never resurfaced. GINGER TREE SKYR was away slowly and was gapping at the back. TRAVEL WINNER never featured.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE was three-wide towards the first turn to the lead nearing the quarter, slowed the half then came home in 55.2-27.3 to see off the challenge of SURREAL FEELING. The latter started uncovered entering turn two, went up swiftly while going her third quarter in 26.4 and challenged, very big mile in second. MAGICAL MISTRESS pushed away, yielded, gapped before the ¾, then had some late rally. ROYALTYWESTHO was in front before the 1/8, yielded near the ¼ for the two-hole, kept close to the battlers until the stretch, then lost ground in the sprint home. LADY LONDON was no factor. LADY MAYA got cover but soon couldn’t stay with it. HOTTIEONTHEHORIZON never got a call here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LAURIE LEE left between horses, took a tuck third but soon came on a quarter-move, set the pace, looked to have shaken off first-over PEGGY J late on the turn but then had enough to take care of that resurgent one. The latter moved out 3/8 and went right up to challenge for the lead, was kept outside, fell back a little late turn and early stretch, but was digging back in hard late. WINNING WORDS wouldn’t yield early, finally did to the winner 3/8, held OK for third. NARINA HANOVER made up a lot of ground to get as close as she did. RHYME N ROLL was three-wide before the 1/8 then two-wide, took the pocket near the ¼, kept up until the far turn. GRIP N WIN never featured. ABBY ROSE lost contact with the field.
Mar 14, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A couple of degrees either side of 40 and a fast track produced the fastest overall card of the year so far … Wind was swirling throughout the card … A REAL MIRACLE launched uncovered into turn two, battled the leader from the half down the back and around the turn, then just left these in the dust while finishing out in 27.3. BRAVO TEX N had great cover, did OK to be second. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was hustled away and cleared before the first turn, yielded coming out of that bend to sit the pocket, came clear in the Pocono Pike after the winner got away, not bad. ELECTRIC WESTERN sat in, was blocked much of the stretch, but wasn’t running over horses looking for clearance. P L MUNSON was third-over, moved three-wide but flattened. JUST N ACE was caught in and shuffled; hard to tell if he had much. WESTERN HILL was too far back. HORSING AROUND was looped leaving and persevered to take over off the first turn, under hard pressure by the winner, all done in the lane.
SECOND RACE – CLASS SIX took the pocket 3/16, stayed in, got access to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter came out, proved to have the most in a three-way late battle. SHOREVIEW insisted on the early lead, then yielded to a brusher early on the backstretch, back out for more to headstretch, never had the lead in the lane but wore down ROYAL HEART for second. The latter came with a rush around turn two to get the lead early backstretch, held well. BEST TRICK EVER gapped but was aided when opponents had trouble. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT went around a horse nearing the ¼, then backed out to third-over to the 11/16, shoved extremely wide to avoid the two hooked horses and lost all chance. DAVIDS COMING HOME was roused early but could show no speed, may’ve jumped a shadow 3/16, fell way back. CLASSY HILL was in the cover flow, moved three-wide to midturn but got hooked up with POLAK A. The latter went around a troubled foe late on the first turn, moved out with cover then was left raw early down the back, was tiring on the far turn when getting hooked up with CLASSY HILL.
THIRD RACE – SCOTT ROCKS went in third to the 1/8, then quarter-moved, superior to these throughout the last half. KEYSTONE STEAM yielded early for the pocket, stayed in and shuffled far turn as the pocketsitter fell back, came clear in the Pocono Pike and finished well. MR BIG LOAD gapped second-over, best of the rest. SPICEBOMB had too much to overcome. WHITE HAIR ROCKS joined the outer tier then went back inside, in tight quarters while seeming to have late pace. BIG MACH went a big third quarter to gain contention but couldn’t sustain the move in the last split. NEWBIE was in front at the 1/8, relinquished just past the 3/8 for the two-hole, loose down the back then fell back further. RAKSMACH N developed a problem 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – MISS MCKEE set the pace with two moves, slowed the half, then drew away as much the best. MOON BRIDGE stayed connected in third, to the Pocono Pike and had steady late trot. GREAT UNKNOWN was second-over, three-wide far turn, OK. P L NOTSONICE had excess cover, four-wide late on the turn and kicked in a mite belatedly. HEAT WAVE HANOVER gapped early, stayed in, very slow to find desired clearance between horses in the stretch. FOCUS POCUS started uncovered before the 5/8, tired alongside the pocketsitter from the ¾. RECIPROCALBLUECHIP went on to the top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, empty in the last quarter. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY was never in it.
FIFTH RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER was away strongly and yielded to sit the two-hole, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and took care of NINE WAYS. The latter went to the lead 3/16, got a breather to the ½ then had to pick it up, held pretty well until the last 50 yards. INTERNET HANOVER quickly tucked third, moved uncovered early on the second turn and reached the leader 5/8, pressured that one hard pacing his own third split in 27, held very nicely. ROJAN’S WAY sat in, spent the first half of the stretch angling wide, couldn’t build enough momentum to close any more. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A never factored. TODDLER TANTRUM was second-over but couldn’t keep up 11/16. UNDERTAKER was third-over, not well-served by cover and three-wide ¾ but couldn’t reach. JEREMES GENERAL was always far back.
SIXTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE left for the pocket, gapped on the first turn then closer, suddenly had an 8 length gap behind him as the chalk broke to the 3/8, tight in a wicked half, came out ¾ and went right by the leader, withstood MYIDEALSON N. The latter got closer after the frontstretch incident then gained quickly late backstretch (last half 59.1, last quarter 30), three-wide late on the turn, narrowed in, did very well. MOUNTAIN HERO followed the place horse, three-wide with cover late turn then wider headstretch, kept coming. RATHER SWELL was leaving a big gap even before the chalk broke, gradually tightened in, clear early stretch, evenly. WISE IMAGE was off to the races with a four length lead past the 1/8, hung up 26.2 and 54.1, then had no power to stop the closers. BAYONET never featured. SWEET TALKIN SATIN got rough 5/16 and made a bad break.
SEVENTH RACE – AMERICAN REBEL slid in fourth past the 1/8, went raw early on turn two, took it right to the leader pacing his third quarter in 27 into a mild headwind, gained the lead but not the inside on the far turn, drew away in a superior performance. UPTOWN FUNK was far back, went four-wide late turn and passed an awful lot of horses in the stretch. PROVEN DESIRE moved 5/16 to take over, under pressure from the winner, kept him out on the turn, fair+ late. WATERWAY was between horses to the lead before the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, not enough late. MY MIND IS MADEUP was third-over, wide coming off the far bend, a touch of pace late. MELANIE’S TEDY was three-wide to the 1/8, took the pocket 3/16, considered trying for the top but rethought at the ¼, sat in, not again heard from. REVELRY gapped. BARNABAS had great cover second-over but could not keep with it.
EIGHTH RACE – SANCHEZ ROCKS started a grind just before the half, wore down the lead headstretch and kept a foe on each side at bay. LAZER JET was well-placed second-over, three-wide headstretch, didn’t seem to have an excuse in 1:00.1-30.2 back fractions. CATWALK AS took the top before the 1/8, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, blocked for a couple of ticks headstretch but had time to regain momentum in the Pocono Pike, didn’t quite have enough. MANWILLING was third-over, didn’t tip wide, went OK late. HALL IT OFF was last save the breaker, weaved between horses in the lane and finished well from where he was. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK looked all-out from the 3/8 on. CHERRY RED never got into the main action. FATHER DUNN was three-wide just into turn one, on top 3/16, cut a fast half, tired. ZOE F was not away quickly then soon made a break.
NINTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT was four-wide early and three-wide past the 3/16, then two-wide until finally reaching the top past the 3/8, went on to a 26.4 third quarter and tired everybody else while impressive. PEACE OUT POSSE moved uncovered into the backstretch, kept on coming very nicely. BLOOD LINE forced tucks then finally ceded the top to the winner past the 3/8, stayed fairly close. STAR COMMANDER N took the inside route to the distant fourth. AMERICAN ZEST A was “second-over” but never got close to his cover. OWEN left, accepted the pocket before the ¼, left behind towards midbackstretch. THE REST never got into the picture in this fast mile.
TENTH RACE – REDBANK BLAZE A got an early spot, then brushed in front of the stands as the pace slowed, sprinted down the back, then held off THATSWHATISAID coming up the inside. The latter was three-wide 3/16 and two-wide until coming off the first turn to get the stick, yielded for the pocket, gave it a good shot in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite make it. TAM MAJOR A gapped in the back until past midturn, then stacked four-wide and finished with a strong burst. TRENTE DEO gapped second-over down the back then was better on the turn, swung wide but was outpaced home. ROCK THE TOWN went uncovered at the half, never really threatened the leader, tired some. JACKAMINO left strongly, yielded just past the 1/8, began to back off gradually 5/8. LORD WILLOUGHBY A kept a hole closed late first turn, couldn’t offer much at crunch time. OLLIE’S Z TAM was between horses leaving, eyed tucking but saw that opportunity close, was looped and was pressing on when making a break at the ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN started uncovered 3/8 and was flying down the back with his own third split of 26.1, went by effortlessly and looked like an Open horse in the fastest mile of the year here, 1:50.3; big day for The J.B.’s. HIGH IMPRESSION quarter-moved, recognized it was futile to try to keep the winner out late backstretch, good second. JOESSTAR OF MIA A took early control from the pole, yielded, sat in, out in the lane and raced quite well. BLACKLIGHT sat in, found room up the inside for the very distant fourth. ACTOR HANOVER was three-wide to the first bend, tucked 3/16, gapped 5/8. OZONE BLUE CHIP was too far back. SOUTHWIND BARON took back early, backed out to second-over but could not go with this cover. SOMEWHERE FANCY offered little.
TWELFTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION was away well and got the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, by before midstretch and a good winner. WAGON MASTER sat third-in, to the deep Pike, wasn’t catching the winner but outpaced the rest. URBAN RENEWAL came from last 3/8 and wound up third-over, three-wide around a gapper ¾ and finished vigorously. CINNAMACK was uncovered at the half, grinded, OK. BOBBY K HILL left very well to cross over before turn one, took a fumbly step or two 3/16 but quickly righted, didn’t have the first-over reach him until the ¾, tired. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS sat in, had to angle all the way out to four-wide late turn and in early stretch, finished well. JUST PLAIN LOCO gapped second-over. OH K MAN wasn’t in the hunt.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TULLOW N had good cover second-over and tightened in on it late backstretch, three-wide past midturn, took command in early stretch then held off the inching-in CAPTAIN NASH for George’s sixth win. The latter was third-over, four-wide stretch, gained bit by bit to just miss. ALEX TYE was two-wide but couldn’t get the lead and took the pocket 5/16, inside and blocked, into a blindswitch headstretch and then to the path behind the winner, OK late. HALLIE’S COMET was three-wide past the 1/8, came into close quarters with the four-wide horse and stumbled a bit, took back, in, angled widest, good after a troubled trip. JANAID pushed away very hard from the rail suffering right-sided “b.e.” in the process, didn’t yield until just past the 3/8, cleared fairly quickly headstretch, couldn’t gain. CAL went a big third quarter uncovered and had a slight lead around the turn, gave way. BURNING MIDNIGHT gapped at the back. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was four-wide fully to the 3/16 then three-wide to the ¼, went up two-wide to command just past the 3/8, received backstretch pressure and understandably faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Shifting wind definitely in the field’s faces through the stretch … FOO FIGHTER N was away strongly for the lead, yielded to the brusher and stayed close to him in the fast third quarter, outside midturn and went by early stretch, safe winner. SHANE ADAM took back to tuck fourth nearing the ¼, retucked around a gapper 5/8, outside headstretch and gradually got second. UNION STATION left to defend the two-hole then quarter-moved, strung the field with a 27 third quarter, not enough. SUNSET BRAYDON tucked fifth 3/16, retucked down the back, inside, fair. ASTON HILL DAVE had early position but gapped most of the last half. THE OTHERS never got close enough to challenge.
Mar 12, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 30s to low 40s as the afternoon progresses … SPORTS TEEN beat them all away by the 1/8, rated the half then threw the knockout punch in quarter three, mildly urged to stay clear. LYONS AMUSEMENTS improved early position, then was second-over, ducked in fourth 11/16, up the Pocono Pike for second. RED DIRT BOOMER was looped leaving, made the two-hole at the ¼, stuck close to the leader most of the next half, then tired some. BETTOR NOTBITTER A spotted fourth, then led the outer procession into turn two, never reached the leader, fell back in the lane. WONDER BULL broke early and was far back throughout, circled the others for the last check. I’M A GIFT gapped in the outer flow. MAGIC TRICKS could only defend the pocket until the ¼, done 11/16. THE OTHER DUO were not factors.
SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind started, but wasn’t blowing hard to start … MAGNIFICENT SEVEN finally moved out of sixth 11/16, gapped cover on the turn, but closed sturdily to be along over SCHNICKEL FRITZ. The latter left best of all, yielded off turn one, pulled out from third at the ¾, made the lead past midstretch at 77-1, caught by a solid closer. SPEED IT went into the early pocket near turn one, labored to stay close, outtrotted the others. NATURAL KEMP sat in, didn’t find his best stride until too late. ROSE RUN VINCENT was out just past a quick opener, yielded for the pocket, got tired behind the fast fractions of BULLY BOY. The latter did not leave and was seventh at the 1/8 pole, then blasted up, trotting his own second quarter in 27.3, to get the lead just past the 3/8, continued on at a very fast clip, tired. MASSIVE OPULENCE was far back, as was YUGE, who did not get a quick beginning.
THIRD RACE – BROADWAY BRUISER moved nearing turn two and soon got cover, gapped it in the third split but was better on the turn, wide off the bend and got the nod in a tightly-packed group. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE sat third-in, to the deep Pocono Pike, never ahead but steadily. MANWITHAMISSION yielded to the other horse who left to sit a two-hole, to the Pike and made a short lead midstretch, not quite enough late. NICE STUFF finally could angle to the path behind the winner approaching midstretch and finished well without a clear path. URSIS DES CAILLONS, off a beat slow, was third-over, four-wide headstretch, not bad late but had too far to come. SIR BAX was the only leaver other than the rail horse, set the pace, was joined by the first-over BATTLE MAGE past the 5/8, with those two battling each other and then both giving a little ground in the lane.
FOURTH RACE – MIKI U SO FINE was three-wide 3/16 to get the front, opened a clear lead early in the backstretch and was unthreatened. THREE DRAGONS quarter-moved in front of a parked horse, took the pocket to the 3/8, gradually lost contact with the winner but did hold on to second. SICILY BEACH was buried inside, got room in the Pocono Pike and finished OK. BENEVOLENCE was second-over, three-wide midturn, a bit late. TRICK CARD could not work his way up to get in the main mix. JAM THE GUITAR was between horses to the two-hole 3/16, gave away same 3/8, was blocked on the turn but then came up empty in the lane. DILLINGER was out with cover until the 3/8 then had to take the breeze, rode alongside the pocket horse until past the ¾ then fell back. LINEMAKER was never heard from. DUNKIN’ BEACH offered very little.
FIFTH RACE – CREDIT FRAUD moved from third 5/8, trotted right up to the leader and fought with that one, then powered away from these in the stretch. CAMPBELLINI had the top from the outermost post in just a couple of steps, rated the half, could do nothing about the winenr and just did hold second over ONE DIRECTION. The latter was loose at a couple of points in the pocket, did better in the stretch. PERSEVERANCE moved with cover but gapped it on the far turn. UNABATING made a very brief break early and caught the field, but then was not heard from. SEBASTIAN U was between breakers early, then ran himself 3/16 (did he jump over the shadow from the light pole?) TW LAUXMONT was offstride soon after the start.
SIXTH RACE – ICINGON DE CUPCAKE was widest of five leavers, took back to follow cover then tucked sixth, outside in front of the stands and three-wide 3/8 to clear to two-wide raw nearing the second turn, rode in the death seat the rest of the way but made the lead midstretch and proved to have enough. DIVINE SPIRIT followed the winner’s move and was three-wide raw from the second turn, held ground very stoutly. NATALIE HANOVER raced in the pocket staying close, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. WINNING GENE was three-wide early before tucking, in, out a path headstretch while on a line, not quite clear to the wire. BUTTER TOFFEE also raced inside and also was weaving for late clearance. TROTTING Z TAM was three-wide around faltering cover far turn, evenly as the tempo slowed. FRAC never factored. STORM PARTY took advantage of track geometry and set the pace with pressure from before the half, wilted. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD was four-wide early, rode midpack until getting cover from the winner to turn two, got closer down the back but then gave way.
SEVENTH RACE – BOUNTIFUL BRITTNEY raced in the pocket before moving out ¾, widest in a three-wide stretch duel and up in the last 50 feet. SERRANO VOLO went down the road at a good clip, was passed to her left past midstretch but fought to regain the lead late, only to be caught in the shadow of the wire. BATTLE QUEEN avoided trouble and rode inside, to the Pocono Pike, got the slightest of leads past midstretch but couldn’t quite sustain. CHING CHING LUCKY stayed flat. FIRE UP was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third, broke off the first turn, came back and passed the rest of the field, who all made breaks in the latter stages. WINNIE THE GOO was making up a little ground from far back when breaking past midturn. TEQUILA N ROSES was also trying to get closer from aways back when jumping past midturn. MULLIGAN’S MISS gapped throughout, broke 11/16. LADY AT ARMS was in retreat when miscuing nearing the last turn.
EIGHTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER was away in the two-hole, rethought an early move, a bit loose during a fast third quarter, had room to swing out headstretch and had the most of these. POWERFUL YIELD was between horses early, settled for a 3-spot past the 3/16, stayed in and came up the Pocono Pike to grab second. TIGHT LINES was three-wide to the 1/8 then spotted fourth, on the move raw before turn two and grinded into a fast pace, fell back a little in the last 1/8. CHUCKY DE VIE insisted on controlling the throttle, went a big third panel but couldn’t sustain the speed. BRUTAL STORM couldn’t reach the front bunch; nether SHOEMAKER HANOVER nor CHECKMATE HILL could as well. CASEY T moved second-over but was soon gapping, made a brief break ¾, recovered, then made another break later on the turn and was taken to the infield.
NINTH RACE – GRAN PARAISO pulled from fourth (behind a gapper) midbackstretch and kept on grinding, along as the pace decreased a bit late. KILLER INSTINCT was three-wide to the first bend to get the top, yielded 3/8 and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and made a brief lead, good but not quite enough. I AM THE STORM left inside the place horse and took the early pocket, inside, gapped some from the 3/8 to the far turn, outside, held evenly. SHELL SHOCK gapped early, finished OK. SOUTHWIND FULTON was outside midpack when set down 3/16, to the top 3/8, came up shy late. MADDYS LEADING MAN did not have a clear path in the stretch. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER never contended. MR BLUMETTI made a break past the start, far back until the far turn, then was showing solid recovery speed along the inside until jumping midstretch. DUKE OF LINDY moved outside off turn two, hadn’t gained much before going offstride.
TENTH RACE – Stretch headwind increasing … NAMJE yielded 3/16 for the pocket, stayed tight, moved out late turn and powered away from these in a fast time. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR moved uncovered 11/16, inside midturn, just second over MASSAMILLION. The latter sat in and gapped behind the quick pace, closer near the ¾, outside headstretch and almost came up for the place. TYSON set sail, got the front 3/16, set a fast pace, paid for his exertions late. MAGIC VACATION didn’t show much after an inside trip. POND JUMPER moved raw before the half but was never close. GALIXTON was never close to contending. DON’T SASS ME took back to last by the ¼ and had the best view thereafter.
ELEVENTH RACE – EXPLOSIVE MAGIC left, yielded, retook, and had these at his mercy the last ¼. WILLIE B WORTHY outleft a bunch to quickly make the lead, yielded for the pocket, started to go loose ¾, clearly second. MOOSE MADNESS moved uncovered before the 5/8 and went a good mile. ALEXANDER HANOVER was looped while three-wide early and tucked, moved outside headstretch, OK. TROLLER left and found a home third, gapped from the 5/8. THE OTHER PAIR never featured.
TWELFTH RACE – THE LADY SHERIFF left well but was still three-deep past the 3/16 and two-wide to about the 3/8, got the front, held off a tough challenge from SHE’S A BILLIONAIR all-out. The latter ducked in behind the battling front three early, was underway not long into the backstraight and went her own third quarter in 27.3 raw, ducked in on the turn then came out again, tried very hard and didn’t miss by much. SWEET YOUNG THING was kept out past the 3/16 before making the top, yielded for the pocket, gapped a bit in the quick third number, just third over GATORS BEN WINNING. The latter was second-over, left uncovered midturn, had no gain in the lane. RELLA TIVITY and SAPPHIRE HILL were detached from the main pack. JEWEL LEHIGH A forced the early fight and yielded, fell back 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JUNIOR MAN was well-placed second-over behind a very quick pace, charged to the front late. WATER SPORTS TEEN took a funky step off the first turn, was seven lengths behind the top pair when moving uncovered before the 5/8, grinded, did get the lead, held well. REST ASSURED hung a foe to a fast ¼, yielded then made a “hidden” quarter-move, yielded again and stayed tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and put in an energetic effort. MOONLIGHT SHADOW and SPECIAL TYLER unwound with good foot from far back as the pace slowed down. COME ON RAAGS was parked with cover early, tucked at the ¼, sat in, was shuffled, fair late. YER SO BAD had gate speed, moved 3/8 and got to the top before the ½, went very fast middle splits, tired in the stretch. YOUR HONOR was three-wide past the 1/8 then two-wide to the 26.3 quarter to get the top, yielded, started gapping at the half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JUST N ACE got a good two-hole leaving and stayed there to a fast ¾ and beyond, to the Pocono Pike and powered off. SWEET N FAST N was well-spotted second-over, three-wide headstretch and just along for second. WAR DAN DELIGHT N outleft everybody for command, went a good third split with the wind, but couldn’t maintain the advantage. TREVOR ONE stayed in, to the deep Pocono Pike and was in the photo for second. BRUCE’S MAGIC swung widest and had belated pace. REAL LUCKY N took back at the start and was not heard from again. SOLID ASA ROCK A was uncovered, paced his own third quarter in 27.1 though barely reaching the leader’s wheel, then gradually faded.
Mar 10, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature from just above to just below freezing through the card … Stretch tailwind most of the card … SCOTT ROCKS was the innermost of three leavers, yielded before the 3/16 but came back for the retake, shook off all but ALTA SHELBY N in a fast third quarter, then disposed of that one through the stretch. The latter was three-wide to the first turn to command to the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, stayed fairly close to the leader to headstretch, couldn’t gain but far ahead of the rest. MEADOWBROOK CROWN left between horses and settled third, gapped the top two 5/8 but still got the show. BARGAIN SHOPPER moved out late far turn but couldn’t make third. STONEBRIDGE PROUD went out uncovered but never got anywhere near the lead, evenly. THE REST were always well behind.
SECOND RACE – DURANT was underway before the ¼ to get the front 5/16, rolled on and had no problem. ALL ABOUT RUSTY got to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, stayed relatively close late. CHICO ESTRELLA moved out with cover ¾ but then ducked back in midturn, edged BRIMFIELD for third. The latter made up a lot of ground while getting around gappers down the backstretch. HES GONE BADDER showed speed, yielded, came back raw 5/8, tired in the last ¼. ALASKAN SEELSTER never got going. COLE PORTER N suffered “b.e.” past the half. HOPETOBEFIRST was last throughout.
THIRD RACE – HOTTIEONTHEHORIZON started three-wide from last 5/8 and went up to two-wide raw on the turn, took the lead headstretch and won handily while pacing her last half in 55.4. BRING ME DIAMONDS fought for the top but was forced to take the pocket 3/16, had stretch clearance and did well to be second. HURRICANE CALLEIGH took full advantage of the pole to keep control, got a big breather to the half, not enough sprint late. ENGLISH ROSE N went up to third at the 1/8, uncovered nearing turn two, kept at it in her one-gear style. JERICHO DIVA sat in, may not have had any clearance in the lane. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N moved second-over at the half, blindswitched 11/16 then gapped out the last quarter.
FOURTH RACE – AMERICAN ZEST A got the pocket almost by default as no one save FEELING CAM LUCKY showed sharp speed, sat a dream trip then came out for the drive, went by late in a quick mile. The latter barreled right to command and strung out the field in fast fractions, couldn’t quite withstand the winner but bottomed the rest out in a quality outing. CLOUSEAU HANOVER moved with cover ¾, wide and up for the distant show. DRAGON STRIKES retucked around a gapper and stayed inside, didn’t appear to have all that much late. QUICK FUN N moved out 11/16 but couldn’t gain. ADIOS MUCHACHOS started backing up before the 11/16. MISS U BIG MIKE began to gap off turn two.
FIFTH RACE – CENTURY FERRARI settled into the pocket early then quarter-moved, was clear of these most of the last half. BB’S HARLEY made the front by the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t keep tight in the pocket but kept at his task steadily. GIVEN UP TERROR sat third, didn’t gain or lose ground late. AWESUM ACE tucked fourth 3/16, not heard from again. DEVISSER ducked back in to avoid stagnant cover on the turn, got the last check. BOBBIES POWER PLAY started on the grind 3/8 but never menaced. ILLEGITIMATE SON could offer little from second-over.
SIXTH RACE – SHECOULDBEGOOD N took the pocket going to the 1/8, backed out nicely to second-over 5/8, three-wide headstretch and had the most of these. YES DOUBLE DOWN started uncovered at the half, grinded but never got within a length of the leader until the winner went by nearing midstretch, steadily for the deuce. ELENIARK A quarter-moved then had things as she wanted them, still not enough. LIGHTNING VIRGIN closed up the inside late backstretch through the turn, to the Pocono Pike and was moving well late. TRAFFIC JAM was too far back. AUDREY ANNA was the first to show, yielded, done nearing the ¾. MORE MORE MORE left a gap gap gap at the back. TWICE AN ANGEL originally was second-over at the half but started gapping very soon after that. IAQUINTA could offer little.
SEVENTH RACE – NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP left enough from the rail to force a lineup, sprinted down the back and left these behind as stragglers. SEEL THE DEAL N took back for the pocket at the 1/8, kept up until the far turn. SMILEANDSAYCHEESE kept up third until the ¾. DOIN THE MOST was wide early but put into his own hole, kept up to the 11/16. JERICHO WILLIE started uncovered before the 3/8 but never reached the front half of the field. GOLDEN GESTURE didn’t advance behind nonflowing cover. SHADY CITY stayed in and never surfaced. INSTRUCTOR fell back significantly in the last stanza.
EIGHTH RACE – VALLEY OF SIN got a sprightly start and soon cleared, rated the half, picked up pressure which was shaken off at the ¾, turned for home with a good lead and stayed safe ahead of the closers. THE NEXT THREE all sat inside most of the race: KEYSTONE SERGEANT got to the Pocono Pike with alert foot; MUSCLE AVE, who took back early, angled wide early stretch but didn’t quite have enough for the deuce; O JONNIE was last, came up the deep Pike with a good finish. WISENHEIMER was looped and made the two-hole at the 1/8, not enough response late. VALLORIA N was outside the duration, never got into the main action. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY was underway raw past the 3/8, challenged until the ¾ then retreated. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was looped, got a 4-spot 3/16, then moved second-over, gapping from early in the backstretch. KOW GIRL jumped off the first turn.
NINTH RACE – SUNSETBOOZECRUISE made a sharp quarter-move and set the pace, in charge to the wire. ESAI HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to 3/16 command, yielded to sit in the two-hole, angled out early stretch, clearly second. BULLVILLE TERROR gapped in last past the half, stacked four-wide late turn and finished strongly. TSM BATMAN sat in, just had room to angle out midstretch and finished OK. HYPNOTIC DREAM left between horses for the lead, yielded, angled out and wide late turn, had little left to give. WAY TO CLOSE was second-over, three-wide past the ¾ but didn’t offer much on the turn, did a little better from midstretch then was shut off by an angling horse. TRAY SURREAL moved out to third-over but came up empty and ducked back in. GENERAL WARD began first-over towards turn two, started backing off ¾.
TENTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION pushed BAMSKI to a 26.4 opener, yielded then retook but was made to pay a bit by that one, saw BAMSKI go to the Pocono Pike and get a nose/head up midstretch, but was very game fighting on late to take the decision. The last-named was out a bit past that quick first stanza, in turn pushed before yielding, as mentioned went inside, got a small lead but couldn’t sustain it. SWEET TALKIN SATIN tucked fourth to the 3/16, then led the outer charge towards turn two, applied pressure, never took a backwards step. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR got a spot leaving, inside, just a bit shy late. MYIDEALSON N was three-wide early, tucked fifth 3/16, then was second-over, gapped a little late backstretch and was blindswitched, edged over in tight quarters past midstretch and gained some. P-DRIVE HANOVER stayed in, in bad traffic the last 1/8, weaved and regained some ground. BIG GAME HUNTER was three-wide from third-over before the ¾, evenly. THE OTHER TWO were never in the main hunt.
ELEVENTH RACE – STICK WITH CRAMER was away well and kept the pocket closed, to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, just enough over R GAUWITZ HANOVER. The latter slid in midpack to the 1/8, then third-over, wide with then without cover late backstretch to second-over, three-wide in the lane, came up just shy. DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was three-wide 3/16 until dropping back and tucking fourth, then second-over 3/8, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw before the ¾, not quite enough late but a good race. LUZIANA sat in, so-so along the inside late. NEEDLESS TO SAY shot through at the start and kept a looped foe parked, had heat all the way through, withered a little late. GRITS N GRAVY was fourth-over despite moving out just off the first turn, followed wide cover and left three-wide raw ¾, not enough gain. LUCKY LEVIS was never prominent. ROJAN’S WAY was a bit rough nearing the half, never close. ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE was between horses and looped, was left out in the air, didn’t have the speed to clear and faded 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – Wind down to almost calm … ECLIPSE ME N went to command nearing turn one then yielded for the pocket, outside to late turn and bettered 27.3 in the sprint home while winning confidently. ROYALTYWESTHO was three-wide early and to the top 3/16, got her own fractions, did well but outsprinted home by a classy veteran. SURREAL FEELING tightened along the inside late backstretch, did OK as they came home quickly. ALLI NUI also saved ground, with pace to the inside late. QUEEN LOSTRIS N left and yielded, popped out 5/8 but stopped any gain midturn. CERTIFIED IDEAL was a little off the gate, then last throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TWO AM defended third early and sat there until the 11/16, moved up and briefly took the pocket on the turn, then out and went by easily. KING ALPHONSO was wide leaving, took back to spot sixth, then going again to turn two uncovered, steadily made up ground to the 11/16 where he got cover, couldn’t match strides with the winner but still good after a tougher trip. WILBERFORCE showed as much speed as anybody and headed down the road, lost the pocket horse past the half and went a big third quarter, was gradually reeled in by the top duo. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK made up a lot of ground very late from way back. BELLA AVA was out with cover but never entered the drama. CAVILL HANOVER maintained the two-hole, got looser from late backstretch. CHOCO CHARLIE was three-high past the 1/8, finally got in fourth past the ¼, not heard from thereafter. ASKMELATER HANOVER never featured. RIVER OTTER was off the gate and gapped in last.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LAURIE LEE worked her way to command to the 3/16, slowed the half, then picked it up to 56.3-28.1 to have control over the finale field. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD made sure of the pocket early, stayed close but wasn’t really threatening. P L NOTORIOUS, a little rank going to the gate, spotted third at the 1/8, was asked for more ¾ but had no gain to give, kept going evenly. WINNING WORDS and PEGGY J sat in and went evenly. NARINA HANOVER went uncovered towards turn two but never got close. RHYME N ROLL played no factor in the outcome of this race.
Mar 8, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Never above freezing temperatures … Winds swirly throughout the day … JANAID left some, came off the rail 5/8 and quickly went up to challenge, had the lead but couldn’t clear around the far turn, finally got a safe margin late. UPTOWN FUNK was behind a breaker into the backstretch, steadily made up a tremendous amount of ground and was just along for second. CLASS SIX was on top near the 1/8 and headed down the road in fast numbers, had a clear lead down the back before the winner came to him, stayed in the fight for win until very late. WHITE HAIR ROCKS was three-deep to turn one, took the pocket 5/16, was gapping from early backstretch. OH K MAN went evenly. TALK SHOW also wasn’t tight down the back, went outside on the turn but offered little. ASTON HILL DAVE had to check in last as a foe two-wide broke early backstretch, never a factor. DREAM OF LUCK was second-over, made a break early off turn two. WINDSONG JACK was midpack two-wide early, found no hole so scooted up with a 27.3 second quarter to get close to the leader, but soon fell back.
SECOND RACE – BURNING MIDNIGHT made the early lead, finally yielded 3/8 but then was quick on the retake, equal to whatever they threw at him throughout the last half. TUCKER CREEK was fourth-over, four-wide midturn and again finished like a runaway train. WATERWAY stayed next to the pylons and rode third-in, to the deep Pocono Pike and finished with pace. BRAVO TEX N was looped and between horses early, needed until the 3/8 to make the front, soon yielded for the pocket, to the Pike but couldn’t gain. PROVEN DESIRE left and yielded, came again first-over and challenged, held his ground well late. MY MIND IS MADEUP sat in, had nowhere to go late. BARBADOS was looped and three-wide to the 3/16, tucked at the ¼, moved again third-over, three-wide ¾ but was empty. CINNAMACK was second-over, was struggling to stay on cover before the 11/16.
THIRD RACE – NEWBIE was determined to get the lead and finally wrested it at the ¼, kept INTERNET HANOVER outside as those two drew away from the field from the rest 11/16, proved strong to the wire. The latter gapped the two leavers early, was uncovered just before the half, fought with the leader late backstretch and through the turn, gradually ceded a little ground late but held for place. KEYSTONE STEAM was fourth-over behind stagnant horses, widest in the stretch and had crisp late pace. RAKSMACH N was third-over, went three-wide around a gapper midturn, got to third but flattened a bit. MR BIG LOAD spotted fourth, sat in and was shuffled to last, bad-luck mile. HERE COMES SWIFTY was on top right away, eventually relinquished to the winner, struggled late backstretch. BJ’S GUY was second-over, tired ¾ alongside the pocket horse forming a “wedge” causing traffic woes.
FOURTH RACE – RECIPROCAL BLUE CHIP made the two-hole at the 1/8 and sat there until midturn, then angled out and wide, had the most of these in the latter stages. ZOE F was third-over, wide midturn, finished well. LAZER JET tucked fourth at the 1/8, then was uncovered towards turn two, went a big third quarter pressuring the leader, finished OK. MANWILLING rode inside, not all that much late. SWEET TEA put everybody in behind, came under pressure from before the 5/8, couldn’t sustain the last 3/16. BANZAI AS was not close throughout. HALL IT OFF was second-over, gapped early backstretch, then tightened, then gapped again past the ¾, then broke in the stretch.
FIFTH RACE – BOBBY K HILL yielded past the 1/8, quarter-moved, kept the favorite outside in fast fractions, drew away on the turn and bottomed these out. OFFICIAL DELIGHT and WAGON MASTER both advanced up the inside, with the former just holding off the latter to his left for the distant second. I GET THAT was third in the sweeping tier, four-wide to headstretch and gained (admittedly into a slowing pace). BEST TRICK EVER was second-over, three-wide past the 5/8, didn’t gain. DA MAGICIAN tucked, then was third-over, stayed in a blindswitch around the turn, in tight quarters late. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS had some late pace from an impossible spot. FOO FIGHTER N got to the front just past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, bottomed out by the fast fractions. CLASSY HILL spotted, then tried a brush 5/16 but was left out in the 27o chill, faded ¾.
SIXTH RACE – Stretch tailwind for this race … ANDOVERS TOUCH tucked third, able to slip out second-over 11/16 after four rivals had made breaks earlier, wide headstretch and just along in a 31.1 last quarter. KARETS worked up to the lead 3/16 and kept going at a good clip for these, almost lasted to the line. SOUTHWIND LAREDO came a long way uncovered starting at the half, held in there very gamely. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was the first leader then yielded 3/16, evenly at best the last quarter. PHANTOM RUSTY stayed close, then came up empty late. I GOT THE LOOKS was second-over, broke at the ½ just as another opponent jumped, but the chalk’s break looked independent. PRESIDENT spotted fourth, came again 3/8 but made a break near the half. MINEFIELD HANOVER miscued not far into the race. SWISS PLATINUM misbehaved as the gate sprung.
SEVENTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N was two-wide amidst a host of leavers, was kept out 3/8 before making the lead and then had to deal with a group of parked horses, left them behind ¾ only to see NINE WAYS come out of the pocket, fought with that one virtually the entire last quarter and gamely put his nose in front. The later used positional advantage to secure the pocket behind the winner, vacated it ¾ and quickly drew level, lost a bit of ground upper stretch but kept coming on nicely to just get edged. BIG MACH was behind dull cover in a blindswitch, came four-wide headstretch and was far the best of the rest. JEREMES GENERAL was three-wide early, took back looking for a hole but found none and pressed on 3/16, never made the lead, left behind ¾. WHAT’S GOIN ON was far back inside, returned with “b.e.” ITSONLYROCKNROLL A was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, then raced behind cover, went three-wide 11/16 but his gas tank was empty at crunch time. MOUNTAIN HIGH was on the rim throughout, four-wide far turn, little. SKYWAY BILLY got a good trip inside but was done ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – CATWALK AS took over going to turn one, got her own pace, withstood WORTHY OF HONOR. The latter raced into the pocket past the 3/16 and stayed close, took a shot in the Pocono Pike, good but was not exactly breathing down the winner’s, um, neck. SANCHEZ ROCKS sat third, gapped far turn, held show. FATHER DUNN was second-over, three-wide far turn as cover tired, steadily. PROTOSTAR was three-wide past the 1/8 then got in fourth 3/16, stayed in, so-so late. MY BOY CHRISTIAN never entered the main picture. TRICKY DICK, a touch off the gate, made a good move off the second turn until the 11/16, then suddenly backed off. HAVANA OOH NANA broke at the ¼.
NINTH RACE – DECLAN SEELSTER was urged leaving, three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, set the pace and drew away. BILBO HANOVER left some, rode third-in, came clear early stretch and angled wide, just caught ROLL WITH JEFF for second. The latter was on the point at the 1/8 then yielded at the 1/4 for the golden seat, tiring. MR MCDREAMY was second-over, stayed in a blindswitch before the ¾ then ducked in far turn, next in line. SARONNO gapped early, wide far turn, never a factor. ROOTIN TOOTIN pulled at the ¼ and grinded, not a major danger before fading. APP HANOVER was never in the hunt. ER ROCK MY WORLD backed out to third-over, went three-high 11/16 but couldn’t mount a rally.
TENTH RACE – GLENGARRY KNIGHT N took back amidst many leavers, came out after the 3/8 and wound up second-over, three-wide before ¾ to two-wide before midturn, dead-game and just proved the more photogenic. AMERICAN REBEL quarter-moved, set the pace with third quarter pressure from the chalk, briefly stole clear upper far turn but was joined by the winner, fought very gamely to the line. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was four-wide to the first turn, had to take back and spot sixth, stayed in and advanced to third-in, came clear early stretch and gained ground late; APEX SEELSTER also took the inner route, angled wider and just missed third. A REAL MIRACLE had the most gate speed, discouraged one early mover then let his stablemate go by, gapped out from the pocket far turn. HORSING AROUND dove quickly to a midpack tuck early, then third-over behind the winner, couldn’t keep pace. CAPTAIN NASH was last much of the way. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT never menaced. MELANIE’S TEDY was three-wide to the 1/8 then got the pocket, appeared to rethink a quarter-move, then went out raw before turn two, challenged but empty ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – SUNSET BRAYDON was slightly removed from the 26.3 action, then was moved rapidly after the early commotion had settled and was on top 3/8, safely to the wire. JUST PLAIN LOCO avoided the moribund outer tiers, angled wide past early stretch and finished sharply. CASH IS KING left in 26.3 to retain control, got a foe to tuck behind, then yielded to the winner, tried the Pocono Pike but only held evenly. SHOREVIEW was outside in the rapid quarter, saw the horse trying to hold the pocket break at the ¼ and got in, outside later on the turn, couldn’t gain. POLAK A ducked in ¾ as the outer tiers clogged, a bit late. THISJETSABOOKIN never entered the picture. ROYAL HEART left sharply, yielded and looked to be trying to keep the pocket closed in a fast opener when breaking at the ¼. FERNADO started uncovered going to turn two, never menaced; BUSBOY HANOVER was on that one’s back, gapped 5/8, tried to gain three-wide as the first-over faltered but himself had little.
TWELFTH RACE – BARNABAS struck the front just past the 1/8, rated quarter two, then came home in 55.4-27.4 and withstood ELECTRIC WESTERN. The latter was away well and yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, raced gamely but just outsprinted. REVELRY got a forward spot, came uncovered just past the 5/8, won a three-horse battle for third. CAL retucked around a bad gapper and narrowed in down the back, got to third midstretch but couldn’t quite hold that spot. ALEX TYE was second-over, wide in the lane, OK. URBAN RENEWAL never could step around a gapper. TULLOW N (off the gate) and WESTERN HILL were always far back. RANGERS SURESHOT was already leaving a big hole by the 1/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ACTOR HANOVER yielded at the 1/8 but was quick on the retake, unopposed the last 3/8. SOMEBEACH BARON was second-over, three-wide past the ¾ when cover faltered, did well to go on for the distant second. WARRAWEE UNIQUE got the front at the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, loose from the 5/8. LACHIE MAGUIRE N stayed in, blocked headstretch, but then not all that much once free. SIMPLE KINDA MAN fell back in the last quarter. STAR COMMANDER N and GOLDEN GUN were always far back. WESTSLUCKY TERROR was three-wide to turn one, spotted fourth, was flushed out just past the half, couldn’t reach in the fast third split, then faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JOESSTAR OF MIA A left and had cover to the 3/16, tucked at the ¼ as ANOTHER DAILY COPY quarter-moved, moved out past the 5/8 after that one had stolen away to a big lead, went on with courage and ran down that foe late. The latter left, yielded then retook in front of the winner, opened a big lead in a fast third quarter which he kept until nearing midstretch, then saw the tank go low and couldn’t hold the advantage. ROCK THE NITE was last behind gappers and steadily gained ground (own last half 55.1), three-wide with cover on the turn, stayed in a blindswitch headstretch then got clear and came on very well. GRAND PRIORITY retucked fourth around a gapper early backstretch then went raw at the other end of the straightaway, OK. ABSOLUTE INTENT sat in, out into a blindswitch on the turn, evenly late. DAAMERICANSKY went on to command 3/16, soon yielded, got more loose in the pocket all the way from before the half. ART SCENE advanced down the backstretch, couldn’t sustain the gain while three-wide. ROLLNTHEJOE was always far back. MAJOR CRISIS A took a 4-spot at the 1/8, backed through the field the last half.
