Mar 4, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A “good +1” track in 40-degree temperatures, with a stretch headwind early… I GOT THE LOOKS went to three-wide with cover to the first turn then two-wide, left raw 5/16 and to the lead 3/8, mildly roused late to withstand MEADOWBRANCH RICKY. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the top 5/16, yielded, a bit loose in the pocket much of the last half, then did better from early stretch home. MARION GONDOLIER was third-over in a dull flow. three-wide ¾ and gained very nicely. OUR WHITE KNIGHT took a forward spot, was shuffled to last, split horses before midstretch and finished willingly. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE was innermost of the leavers, pushed the early pace then yielded, looked all-out to keep up much of the last half. ANDOVERS TOUCH, off the gate a bit, moved to second-over, didn’t reach cover, blindswitched, not a contender. MAYFAIR WELL charged out from fifth 5/16 but did not make the lead, faded near the ¾.
SECOND RACE – THE LADY SHERIFF set the pace with two moves, strung the field out in the third quarter then drew away. JEWEL LEHIGH A left well and was on top just past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, loose in the pocket, just held second over SHE’S A BILLIONAIR. The latter was uncovered from last just before the half, retucked fourth down the back, outside on the turn, came a long way in a good outing. THE BAND K had a forward position, could make up no ground late. CHEEKY CHERRY and BETTOR BECAUSE A never entered the picture. SEA’S IDEAL left an ever-widening hole from early backstretch.
THIRD RACE – CHERRY RED persisted leaving and made the top to the 1/8, got his own pace, all-out as others were charging late. RARE MUSCLE wanted to leave but took third 3/16, uncovered 5/8 and went up, fell back some on the turn, then regathered and came up just shy. I AM THE STORM left and protected the pocket, had a shot up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite make it. SHELL SHOCK made a brief skip past the ¼, gapped at the 5/8, then found a better gear late and finished in tight quarters. SECTOR was two-wide on the turn, ducked in and gained some then made a break midstretch, placed for LOB. DUKE OF LINDY was not prominent. MR BLUMETTI went offstride 5/8. APOCALYPSE lost gait twice.
FOURTH RACE – VITANI AS went right to the lead, strung the field out most of the way, won easily. SERRANO VOLO slid into a tuck 3/16, moved out second-over, tightened in then left uncovered as cover broke ¾, inside late turn, second-best. BOUNTIFUL BRITTNEY was far back at the half but got a lot closer in the third quarter, with cover on the turn, could not sustain her gain. FIRE UP went into the pocket as a foe miscued going to the 3/16, gapped a bit the last half. CHING CHING LUCKY tucked in a hole that the first turn breaker left, moved out 9/16 and gained, got rough challenging 11/16 and then did go offstride. MULLIGAN’S MISS broke at the half and was taken inside the course. LADY AT ARMS was far back when going offstride on the far turn. QUEENS N BEES may’ve been trying to keep the pocket closed when she misstepped nearing the 3/16.
FIFTH RACE – YOUR HONOR left like a shot, yielded, backed out to follow cover 11/16, gapped it a little then ducked in far turn, swung wide early stretch and had the most pace late. TRICK CARD moved down the back, lost his cover and challenged the new leader, ahead from the 11/16 through much of the turn but couldn’t get to the rail, got the lead again before midstretch but outkicked on the end of it. JAM THAT GUITAR was looped and parked to the ¼ for command, yielded for the pocket, outside 5/8 and went right by, held a foe outside around the turn, then tired. MAX GASTANK DEAN was on the move before the ¼ to get the lead by the 3/8, was attacked down the back and surrendered the front without a fight, faded. BENEVOLENCE moved outside but couldn’t keep up. GRATEFUL KISS was three-wide after leaving when breaking at the 1/8.
SIXTH RACE – EXPLOSIVE MAGIC tucked fourth then quarter-moved to get the lead past the 3/8, strung the field out the last half and won quite easily. HOLIDAY HANOVER pulled 3/16 from third and was in front 5/16, yielded to the winner, couldn’t go with that one but had enough to maintain the deuce. WINNING GENE trotted steadily along the inside the last 3/8 to grab third from CHRISTOPHER CRAZO. The latter was away sharply to command, yielded, couldn’t keep tight behind the pocket horse on the turn, just lost show. BUTTER TOFFEE gapped. FRAC was never in it. TW LAUXMONT got an early spot, uncovered 5/8 but made no headway. JACKIE’S RN was far back when coming out of the final turn very wide.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind has shifted to a quartering wind, behind the horses going to the half … ADAGIO DE LA TOUR went straight down the road, with only O JONNIE close-by most of the last half, kept to business to almost the wire. The latter took a tuck third, moved past the half and quickly retucked as the pocket horse retreated, tried but settled for second, far ahead of the others. BRUTAL STORM backed off into a 4-tuck, moved out then left uncovered early backstretch, retucked third 11/16, just held that spot. PERSEVERANCE was behind slowly-advancing cover, ducked inside and was OK along the inside late. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD got into the outer tier, left uncovered late backstretch, not that much. HAVANA OOH NANA was never prominent. DIVINE SPIRIT ran 3/16. ARUBA VACATION made the pocket at the 1/8, had no more to give not long off turn two.
EIGHTH RACE – DECLAN SEELSTER had to work past the quarter to get the early lead, yielded but retook just before the half, had immediate pressure from SWEET N FAST N and defeated that one in a big showing. The latter was left uncovered going to the half, stayed close to the winner to the wire. NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP was in the good outer flow, three-wide headstretch, clearly third. MISSILE SEELSTER was out with cover to the ¼, pressed on to the lead 3/8, yielded to the retaker, kept semi-connected to headstretch, then gave a little more ground. DRAGON STRIKES pushed the winner just past the ¼, yielded, stayed inside, went to the Pocono Pike but could not get closer. THE OTHER THREE were not in serious contention.
NINTH RACE – CAMPBELLINI hit the front at the 1/8 in by far the fastest quarter, didn’t have much pressure, saw CHUCKY DE VIE get to about even using the Pocono Pike, fought on gamely for the win. The latter got a comfy trip in the two-hole, took his shot in the stretch, OK but not quite enough. MANWITHAMISSION went uncovered off turn two, grinded up steadily. BATTLE MAGE was second-over, wide in the stretch and found his best steps a mite too late. CREDIT FRAUD sat in, gapping on the turn, but was gaining near the wire. RENTIER and SHOEMAKER HANOVER were always at the back. NATALIE HANOVER was three-wide early, took third at the 1/8, wasn’t keeping up from early backstretch.
TENTH RACE – STEP ON THE GAS made the front past the 3/16, yielded to a brusher, back outside early backstretch to go right back to the lead in fast fractions, was about out of gas late but had too big a margin to be denied. REST ASSURED sat in and was shuffled, out in a blindswitch, then three-wide late turn and paced home steadily. JUNIOR MAN went uncovered on the second turn, improved position as the inner tier collapsed and tucked third, outside late turn and made second before midstretch, held OK. YER SO BAD weaved in traffic on the far turn, came up the inside to be next. PET SUR-ROC joined the lively outer tier, left uncovered, went a little wide as rough late turn, fair. TOPVILLE CRUISER stayed in and got lost in the shuffle. PLAY THERAPY moved from fourth before the quarter and went to the top, was passed easily by the winner and left an ever-increasing hole. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN never factored. FATHER FRED was in the early pocket, had little to offer from the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – OUTKAST BLUE CHIP got around early confusion and tucked fourth, uncovered 5/8, urged around the turn after the fast pace, made the lead early stretch and paced away. SPROCKET yielded at the 1/8 and stayed third-in, very slow to clear in tight quarters past midstretch and finished well to photo FEELING CAM LUCKY for second. The latter had to work past a 27 opener to get the lead and continued to a very fast half, held well but had to pay for the early usage. CLOUSEAU HANOVER was bothered by the early breaker but recovered quickly, outside towards the far turn, stayed in the fight for second. BABES DIG ME was on top at the 1/8, yielded and trailed the fast pace, Pocono Pike but came up empty. CENTURY ENFORCER and POYNTA BOY were bothered early but never recovered at all. IN ROCK WE TRUST was outleft, spotted, then broke past the 1/8 bothering those behind.
TWELFTH RACE – ITSONLYMONEYHONEY was second-over, didn’t tip wide until nearing headstretch, found enough late kick to catch REMARKABLE DE VIE. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike and had the lead just before midstretch, almost got it all. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE yielded at the 1/8, quarter-moved, was rated then picked up the tempo down the back, outtrotted late. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK took up uncovered status towards turn two, gained in a quick third split but couldn’t sustain that gain. KOMBUCHA looked to contemplate a quarter-move but stayed in, not that much late. BULLY BOY, hard to steer at times, was third-over, had speed in spots. SIX BAX trailed throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HALLIE’S COMET came uncovered into turn two, paced a 27 third quarter in clearing the leader to the 5/8, had no problem through the stretch. WAR DAN DELIGHT N showed a sharp burst off the gate, yielded, backed out behind the brushing winner and retucked second, good but not as much as the impressive winner. WARRAWEE TOTAL took back early and tucked near the ¼, was in the good outer flow, uncovered 11/16 and tucked in on the far turn, good mile. DUDDIE’S LOR was looped early, made the lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, then lost all chance when shuffled as the leader gave way, was coming back a little late. AWESOMENESS was shuffled then got outside but couldn’t get into the main action. MARINER SEELSTER moved out with cover at the ¼, lost it 5/16, pressed on to the lead, surrendered without a fight 5/8. THE OTHER PAIR were never in the main picture.
FOURTEENTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN stayed outside early until the front end had all but resolved itself then brushed up to the 3/16 to the lead before the 5/16, appeared to be comfortably in control until MAGNIFICENT SEVEN burst on the scene late. The latter made a break at the start and lost about eight lengths, moved strongly from the back on the far turn and circled up, kept on coming and almost got there with a big recovery. BROADWAY MOJO was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, yielded for the golden seat, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over, left uncovered on the far turn, steadily. NICE STUFF was not a factor. ONE DIRECTION made the front between horses at the 1/8, yielded, outside again 11/16 but couldn’t threaten. PILGRIM’S LASS showed some speed but was not heard from thereafter.
Mar 3, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 39 degrees, “sloppy +1,” with a stretch headwind … BIG GAME HUNTER refused to give up to the lead to BAMSKI early, and then again refused to give it up when that one challenged inside him late. BAMSKI wanted the top but was forced to accept the two-hole, gapped far turn but was resurgent in the lane, just edged out. MY ALOHA ROCK N moved 3/8 and got cover, three-wide just past the ¾ and finished steadily. GIVEN UP TERROR stayed connected, OK late. P-DRIVE HANOVER was uncovered towards turn two, got even with the pocket horse but didn’t appear to head him, gave way some. SKYWAY BILLY had lots of useless cover, angled in, not bad. RUNHAPPY TEN could do little from third-over. SHADY CITY was three-wide and looped early, spotted, not heard from again.
SECOND RACE – DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS tucked past the 1/8, moved past the ¼ into the wind to get the lead before a very fast half, ran away with it while posting the fastest time of the night in a $7500 claimer. STICK WITH CRAMER joined the cover flow well off the leader, moved three-wide and was a good if distant second. LUZIANA was out with cover, briefly three-wide then back to two-deep raw, outpaced for second but far ahead of the rest. HES GONE BADDER left strongly, pushed a very fast opener before yielding, came out again off turn two to retuck in the pocket 5/8, but had lost touch by the ¾. MAGIC TRICKS got the last check. KENTUCKY PROUD moved with cover, lost it, retucked third to the ¾ but was all done at that point. DONEGAL JIM never featured. BULLPUP was three-wide past the 1/8 then two-wide past a 26.3 quarter to 5/16 command, yielded at the half, all done to the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – SURE R LOOKIN GOOD moved with cover at the half, left uncovered to the 11/16 as her cover got the pocket, gradually went by on the turn, then drew far clear with the trouble in behind. RHYME N ROLL came out on the far turn, avoided inside trouble and was the distant second. WINNING WORDS looked at leaving but took back, started a brush 3/8 but was left outside, tucked in the pocket 11/16, then had to check when a horse ran headstretch. MISTY SHOOTER gapped early, moved out late backstretch but gapped and went back in, then also bothered headstretch. NARINA HANOVER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide the same distance before making the lead, kept rolling, was challenged far turn and was surrendering when making a break near headstretch. ABBY ROSE took control from the pole, yielded 3/8, was losing ground before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was out most of the quarter for command, left a brusher in the wind in a fast half, drew clear the last 3/16 to be the only horse to sweep in the Game Of Claims prelims. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT left and tucked third, tightened a hole behind a second quarter duel, came out far turn and was along for second. ER ROCK MY WORLD pushed the leader most of the ¼ before yielding, kept tight in the pocket until the ¾, then tired. PAR INTENDED was behind a three-wide wall going nowhere ¾, next. KHUN RATHA A gapped inside. CHIP FOR REAL worked up to second-over, three-wide 11/16 but did not gain. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL tried a quarter move but was left outside past a fast half, little to give in the latter stages.
FIFTH RACE – SAILBOAT HANOVER was innermost of five leavers and after there was a breaker hustled enough to maintain the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and looked a convincing winner. ESAI HANOVER went to the lead, rated the half, held a big challenge in the third split and through the turn, lost only to the pocket rocket. NOME HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked, uncovered nearing the half and went 27.2 down the back, held his ground staunchly. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE gapped second-over, evenly late. TRAY SURREAL was locked in at the ¾, made up some ground in the lane. FRISKY PEDRO spotted third, looked to be struggling to keep up the last half. TSM BATMAN never factored. WHO’S NEGAN could do little from third-over. GENERAL WARD was four-wide to the 1/8, still charging forward when going offstride past that point.
SIXTH RACE – HOTTIEONTHEHORIZON started uncovered mid-second turn, put in a last half of 55.4 while on the grind, very impressive. AUDREY ANNA left, forced a tuck, yielded to the brusher for the pocket, came out behind the winner midstretch, kept going well, came close to being shut off nearing the wire, got a DH2 with SHECOULDBEGOOD N. The latter spotted, then moved second-over, paced well in the good last half. FIRSTUP quarter-moved, met with the winner’s pressure, held OK. MORE MORE MORE left well, took the pocket, stayed in, kept up until midstretch. YES DOUBLE DOWN had to go three-wide around a breaker off the second turn, made up a lot of ground. LIGHTNING VIRGIN was inside the breaker at the ½, far back. MBT moved outside but took bad steps at the half, broke again on the far turn and went inside the pylons.
SEVENTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE began an uncovered trip before the 5/8, grinded, went on to get the lead early stretch and proved the best in here. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was widest among four leavers, got to two-wide and then the lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, had room in the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite reach. WISENHEIMER set the pace with two moves, gave way. SCHNICKEL FRITZ tucked towards the 1/8, backed out to second-over 11/16, fair. TROLLER was three-wide to turn one and tucked at the 1/8, not again prominent. KARETS was behind nonproductive cover, ducked inside midturn, so-so. MUSCLE AVE gapped second-over. MOOSE MADNESS, a bit off the gate, was never close. WHOUCALNCRAZY was not heard from.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind has calmed … JOESSTAR OF MIA A was looped and followed cover, left raw 3/8 and went right up, getting the top aided by a break from the former leader, met pressure then opened up and was tons the best. ROLL WITH JEFF was uncovered before the half and went up well to the ¾, dropped in behind the winner, second-best. BILBO HANOVER went up in the flow, briefly uncovered ¾ then tucked third, couldn’t gain late. MR MCDREAMY advanced in the two-wide flow, evenly. THUNDER SOME WHERE had the early pocket, then was badly shuffled to the ¾, finally backed out but had too much to repair. GOLDEN GESTURE was far back. SEEL THE DEAL N went right to the lead, pushed then yielded 3/8, lost touch to the ¾. SCOTT ROCKS was looped early, worked his way frontward to command 3/8, had the winner come alongside before turn two, broke and went to the infield.
NINTH RACE – KING ALPHONSO was three-wide early, up to get command at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, outside early stretch and muscled past TWO AM. The latter was four-wide, then three- and two-wide before getting the top at the 27.2 quarter, held very gamely but couldn’t get home first. BELLA AVA pushed out and sat third behind the two big horses, not in their league late but third. VALLEY OF SIN sat in, angled wide early stretch and finished solidly. RIVER OTTER was double-looped and took a tuck 3/16, no factor. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY was second-over from last, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t gain. ASKMELATER HANOVER never featured. COMMON PARLANCE pulled outside 3/16 and rushed up at the 5/16 but was given the cold shoulder, gradually faded from the 11/16.
TENTH RACE – CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR was the only horse showing gate speed, yielded near the ¼ for the pocket, outside early stretch and went right by SPICEBOMB. The latter may not initially have planned to leave but seeing little early foot was hustled up to get the lead at the ¼, went on well on the lead, caught by the pocket rocket. LITTLE ADMIRAL sat in then swung wide early stretch, OK. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN went evenly late after an inside journey. BETTER B ROLLING was hindered by the lack of an outer flow. SARONNO was moving three-wide 5/8 when he may have gotten in close quarters and made an “ix,” didn’t recover. BIG MACH was uncovered before the half but didn’t get close. RED DIRT BOOMER was second-over, three-wide but ineffective while looking rough-gaited.
ELEVENTH RACE – DAVIDS COMING HOME dangled outside early, got cover 3/16 until the 3/8, then left raw and was off the leader down the back, but kept on grinding, made the lead turning for home and opened up a clear margin after the hard work in fast fractions, terrific mile. ALTA SHELBY N had to back out from last and was four-wide in the stretch, made up ground in the slowing pace. SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD gapped second-over, was fair in the last quarter. RATHER SWELL came out in a blindswitch near headstretch, found room inside the closers and made up some territory. MYIDEALSON N left and was out until nearing the ¼, then yielded 3/8, gapped after the fast half, evenly late. MOONWARDS HANOVER needed until the 1/8 to clear the pole horse, yielded at the ¼, not heard from again. CESPEDES Z TAM bypassed an early tuck 3/16 and drove on to the lead 3/8, was clear down the back in a very fast 3/4s, but the hard work caught up to him. BAYONET was not prominent.
TWELFTH RACE – HEEZ ORL BLACK N went out and got the pocket, stayed connected with the leader as they drew away from the rest by late backstretch, outside in the lane and very good to march right on by. NEEDLESS TO SAY headed down the road and left behind everybody but the winner. STEUBEN GLADIATOR got early position, gapped by the half, very distant third. TEO ENTEO A was blocked inside, didn’t gain once clear. COLE PORTER N moved three-wide ¾ through the turn, did get the last payday. ROJAN’S WAY gradually moved up to tuck fourth off turn one, underway again raw on turn two but couldn’t reach the leader, faded. I’LL CALL U LATER never got a call. SAGEBRUSH SID was underway 3/8 and soon got cover, blindswitched ¾, not a contender here. JUSTIFIED offered little.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GRITS N GRAVY stayed in, got to the Pocono Pike when the pocketsitter came out, finished well though the last quarter time was slow. LUCKY LEVIS was three-wide early and made the lead past the 1/8, set a good pace under these conditions, held second in a three-horse photo. BRIMFIELD insisted on the pocket, moved out into the lane, evenly. TENACIOUS ONE A moved outside before turn two, in a dull flow, blindswitched late backstretch, ducked in on the turn, kept angling wider in the lane and gaining. BIG BOY FRAZIER was second-over but didn’t make his presence felt. DURANT tucked third 3/16, rethought a quarter-move, then went first-up off turn two but never made much of a dent. LYONS AMUSEMENTS went three-wide from fourth-over 11/16 but quickly flattened. I AM THE COWBOY looked at leaving but took back, did very little.
FOURTEENTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER was away well, was quarter-mover #1 and yielded for the pocket, backed out behind cover late turn then swung wide, had the most pace to the line. IMA TRAGEDY N cleanly outleft everybody, saw two go around him in quarter two, found room along the inside in the Pocono Pike and was good. CENTURY FERRARI was second-over, three-wide before the ¾ to two-wide to battle for the lead, held pretty well. ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE was quarter-mover #2 and set the pace, got pressure from the ¾ and gave way. ALASKAN SEELSTER sat in, no factor while getting the last check. ALL ABOUT RUSTY dangled outside near the back the whole way, three-wide late backstretch but didn’t gain. POP ICON was forced to swing widest late turn, little chance. BJ’S GUY tucked, then started raw to the second turn, done at the ¾. AWESUM ACE was out with cover but gapped it.
Mar 2, 2021 | Connors’ Comments, General News
FIRST RACE – 43 degrees and “sloppy +1” throughout, with a stretch headiwnd definitely portrayed by most races’ fractions … RANGERS SURESHOT was third-over past the 3/8 behind the swift numbers, three-wide with cover then four-wide at the ¾ and circled the field to open a clear lead, had gotten away from TRENTE DEO. The latter took the early pocket, was under a fierce hold late far turn awaiting the Pocono Pike, finally got there and closed well but the winner had opened too much distance. WATERWAY was in the widest lane on the turn and closed for third. ALEX TYE maintained early position, also stuck inside, went OK in the stretch. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was caught in, shuffled to last and had to back out wide, finished well. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N approached the gate cautiously but accelerated past the start and either forced tucks or hung horses in snappy clockings early, not enough the last 3/16. SEVENS HOPE A was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide raw the duration, faded. DAAMERICANSKY was four-wide 3/16 and three-wide almost to the ¼, then took behind cover, three-wide 5/8 but didn’t gain.
SECOND RACE – TALK SHOW was forwardly-placed early, gapped then gradually made up ground in the fast third quarter, snapped two-wide midturn and three-wide midstretch, a safe winner as the pace declined. BOBBY K HILL yielded to one leaver and then was underway to reclaim the front at the 1/4, yielded to a brusher early backstretch and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, won a three-horse photo for second. WHITE HAIR ROCKS left well in a 26.4 quarter to be on top at the 1/8, yielded, moved back out raw 5/8 as a new horse took over, went along gamely. OFFICIAL DELIGHT was wide in the lane, last until midstretch then passed even-going and blocked horses. MAJOR BUCKS went three-wide 11/16, got cover midturn, so-so. POLAK A was outleft and settled fourth nearing the ¼, came with a rush into the backstretch to go right by in a quick third split, tired. CHEYENNE JEFFREY was left uncovered when his cover made the lead down the back and gapped badly, then wasn’t clear late as the pace slowed down. GIAS BOY stayed in and also looked in tight quarters to the wire.
THIRD RACE – TUCKER CREEK moved outside 5/8 then swept three-wide 11/16, circled the field to be clear in upper stretch, may have flattened a little late but had enough to prevail. URBAN RENEWAL was looped leaving and took the pocket before the ¼, waited for the Pocono Pike, seemed to have a chance but couldn’t quite make it. FRANKIE ROCKS A stayed in, to the far inside and best of the rest. GRAND PRIORITY was three-wide to the 1/8 to loop the field and then set the pace under pressure most of the way, gave way. CAL was second-over, gapped down the back, blindswitched by the winner, never a contender. HEREITIZ was outside with cover but found no hole, lost cover at the ¼ and fought with the leader, tired after the tiring trip. I GET THAT was second-over, gapped down the back, little today.
FOURTH RACE – CASH IS KING left for the pocket, didn’t take up the chase of the new leader until the 7/8, then easily overhauled that one. UPTOWN FUNK was uncovered past the 3/8, went his own middle half in 56.1 to clear to the lead ¾ and open some daylight, held very well though settling for second. DREAM OF LUCK didn’t keep up inside on the far turn, then found a better gear and was just up for third over JEREMES GENERAL. The latter made the lead at the 1/8 and cut the fractions, could not resist the brusher ¾, gradually gave some ground. THE NEXT THREE never made their presence felt. MR BIG LOAD was second-over but couldn’t keep up 11/16.
FIFTH RACE – APEX SEELSTER moved to second-over 3/8 behind the parked horse, three-wide 9/16 to two-wide raw to the 11/16, fell back on the turn but then did better late and outpaced ELECTRIC WESTERN home. The latter stayed in, had a gapper in front of him on the turn, went to the deep Pocono Pike, made the lead just past midstretch, caught late. PROVEN DESIRE made the lead at the 1/8, yielded and sat the pocket, gapped much of the way, then found room inside of a drifting leader midstretch to salvage third. P L MUNSON did not leave but then gunned up before the first turn to take over nearing the ¼, wouldn’t surrender the lead to the parked horse, had an open margin to the ¾ and around the turn, but then got short-strided and bore out early stretch. JUST N ACE was forwardly-placed, moved two-wide with cover just before the ¾, wide in the stretch but outpaced. VALIDUS DEO moved up three-wide to the 3/16, then was hung raw most of the rest of the way, looped down the back and faded. ROCKIN IN THE HILLS was never a factor.
SIXTH RACE – SWEET SOFIE T got a midpack spot, stayed in until late on the far turn, swung wide in the lane and just worked by MANWILLING late. The latter needed the length of the frontstretch to move to the lead, had a clear lead early stretch, just failed to hold on. CATWALK AS tucked fourth 3/16, came raw and gained nicely down the backstretch through the turn, shortened stride but only a little late. WORTHY OF HONOR was fastest away, strung out the early mover then yielded for the two-hole, well-placed for the last 1/8 but empty. SANCHEZ ROCKS could muster no late thrust. ZOE F was not heard from. TRICKY DICK spotted midpack then moved second-over, gapped out approaching the final turn. SEBASTIAN U, off the gate, was gapping in last when breaking at the half. PRESIDENT was outside early and was trying to gain in the two-wide flow when jumping early backstretch.
SEVENTH RACE – UNION STATION was second-over going to the second turn, gapped some in the fast third quarter, was able to go into the pocket late turn as the former occupant retreated, to the Pocono Pike and got the decision. CINNAMACK was behind dull cover on the far turn, widest in the lane and still seventh just past midstretch, but passed a bunch with good foot as the pace slowed down. FOO FIGHTER N was the only leaver, at times lonely on the lead, couldn’t quite carry that jet to the finish. WAGON MASTER slid out to third-over before the ¾, couldn’t generate too much in the last 1/8. ART SCENE gapped early, moved uncovered and did much better down the back, reaching the leader before the ¾ and engaging him through the turn, couldn’t quite sustain the move. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A sat in, then lived up to his name looking for stretch room. WHAT’S GOIN IN was too far back to make a major impact. RAPTORS FLIGHT N defaulted to the pocket, not too much the last half.
EIGHTH RACE – LAZER JET left and got away second after a foe broke, quarter-moved, yielded, then regained the lead at the half, withstood challenges from all sides. BANZAI AS went to the lead and relinquished to the winner, gapped a little down the back then tightened in, to the Pocono Pike and finished well. RECIPROCAL BLUE CHIP bided time outside early then went on to 3/8 command, yielded for the two-hole, a little loose down the back, held OK. PROTOSTAR took back to tuck past the midpoint of turn one, suffered “b.e.”, went uncovered at the half, held on very well. FATHER DUNN was far back and slow to catch up with cover, but trotted pretty well the last 5/16. GALIXTON didn’t get a great start and was no factor. MY BOY CHRISTIAN lost gait a couple of times. I HAVE A DREAM didn’t have much trot here. HALL IT OFF went up wide to try to get the early lead but miscued 3/16.
NINTH RACE – ROYAL HEART was out behind good cover, ducked in to a two-wide blindswitch to the ¾ then deftly went to the open pocket late on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and came on strongly. BARNABAS was last until nearing midstretch, roared past everybody but the winner. JANAID was four-wide to the 1/8 then to two-wide to the lead off turn one, kept one foe parked until midbackstretch and then another from nearing the ¾, held very well. NINE WAYS was in the lively wide tier, good but outpaced by the place horse. JUST PLAIN LOCO was buried inside, finished with some pace once free. NEWBIE was eighth(!) at the START but played track geometry perfectly to push out just enough to keep opponents wide early, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, vacated same ¾ but didn’t have much left. RAKSMACH N moved behind the parked horse, three-wide to the 5/8 and left three-wide as the pocketsitter pulled, flattened out. BLOW A CLOUD N looked at leaving but took back, stayed in, gapped ¾. SHOREVIEW was three-wide while looped early, drove on past the ¼ but couldn’t clear while on a line, faded 5/8.
TENTH RACE – MELANIE’S TEDY persisted between horses early to 1/8 command and forced a tuck before the ¼, rated the half, looked in control in the lane with mild urging. TULLOW N was off the gate but still got away third, sat in, gapped from the half to the ¾, got to the Pocono Pike directly as the pocketsitter moved out, steady pace but not enough. MY MIND IS MADEUP was three-wide just past the 1/8 and accepted the pocket before the ¼, tight, outside to headstretch, couldn’t gain. REVELRY was underway at the ¼ and got to second-over, three-wide midturn, good mile. TWIN B SPEED DIAL stayed in, shuffled a bit, fair late. DA MAGICIAN was third-over, gapped on the far turn, then did a little bit in the straightaway. WESTERN HILL spotted fifth at the 1/8, flushed out 5/16 and had to go a long way raw, didn’t really threaten before fading. CLASS SIX was never in the hunt.
ELEVENTH RACE – HORSING AROUND left to get the pocket behind the speedy IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N and sat on that one’s back, went to the Pocono Pike and may have won more easily than the margin may suggest. The latter rocketed frontward as usual, got a breather in quarter two, wasn’t as fresh as the winner late. BARBADOS moved second-over into turn two, three-wide just past midturn, strong finish. ASTON HILL DAVE rode along inside, fair late. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was outside in the back half of the field, gapped on the turn but came back a little late in a good showing. MY DELIGHT was never prominent. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT left and went in the three-hole before the 1/8, uncovered into turn two, held his ground until the last 1/8. WINDSONG JACK was last at every call.
TWELFTH RACE – BURNING MIDNIGHT was four-wide leaving, three-wide 3/16, then two-wide to the pocket before the ¼, to the Pocono Pike, got to the lead midstretch and went clear. CAPTAIN NASH was another who downshifted from the rail past the start, hung foes, and got the lead in a fast opener, rated the half then dealt with the first-over, no answer for the pocket rocket. BRAVO TEX N took an inner route, angled out before midstretch and finished with pace. GRAND TETON was mired behind excess cover, way wide headstretch, had a very big last 1/16. FIREBALL stayed in and advanced, swung two- and three-wide past midturn, couldn’t contend. AMERICAN REBEL tucked fifth, then was out third-over, gapped, was gaining again late. A REAL MIRACLE took back for a 3-tuck, on the move raw nearing the half, tired. SHANE ADAM didn’t have enough gate speed and had to take back to fourth at the ¼, then went second-over, empty by the ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CLASSY HILL was four-wide leaving but quickly got to two-wide, made the lead not long past the 1/8, set the pace, under assault from several angles in the last quarter but held together gamely. BUSBOY HANOVER just got outside midturn and swung three-wide to headstretch, finished well to just miss. MOUNTAIN HIGH sat fourth-in, then could come all the way up the rail and right to the Pocono Pike, just failed. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A yielded for the two-hole, came outside past midturn, a half-step shy. OH K MAN gapped some, next in line. UNDERTAKER could move outside with cover past the 5/8, went three-wide ¾ and was kept out in the three-path by horses moving outside, flattened. REAL LUCKY N was never in contention. FERNADO was two-wide early, slid a tuck, then came out again raw 3/8 and challenged, tired before the ¾. BARGAIN SHOPPER was three-wide and looped, left outside, came wide off the first turn, got cover 3/8, but was done not long into the backstretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SUNSET BRAYDON made the lead then yielded just past the 1/8, looked to consider a quarter-move but stayed put, uncovered 5/8 and right by ¾, powerful drawing clear late. THISJETSABOOKIN made the top just after the 1/8, yielded to a brusher, got out behind the winner and retucked behind him on the turn, barely saved second over BEST TRICK EVER. The latter got underway at the ¾ and made up a lot of ground. BYE BYE JOHN never featured; nor did INTERNET HANOVER. WILSON’S VINNER quarter-moved, strung out the field to the ¾, then gave way.
Feb 25, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warmest card of the year so far – it was up to freezing 32o at first post … MYIDEALSON N was three-wide early, briefly had cover then pressed on 3/16 to the lead 5/16, continued at a quick clip in these circumstances and opened a big lead he kept from the 5/8 to midstretch, tired at that point but was just too far ahead. SARONNO went third-over and followed cover three-wide then lost it late turn, along for the DH2 with SPICEBOMB. The latter sat in last, was in a two- then three-wide blindswitch far turn, found room early stretch and gained to tie for the deuce. RATHER SWELL was second-over, three-wide 11/16 as cover failed to gain, got to two-wide and second into the lane, couldn’t quite sustain for the place. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT tucked early, stayed in, was horribly shuffled from the 11/16 to headstretch, tipped wide but had little response. ER ROCK MY WORLD couldn’t go with wide cover. GIVEN UP TERROR had some speed, uncovered at the half but failed to gain from the 5/8. NERVE OF STEEL N went out to the early lead, yielded to the winner, then gapped abreast of the first-over past the 5/8, creating bad traffic trouble.
SECOND RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER made the front just past the 1/8, rated the half, then came home in twin 28.1s to remind one of the R GAUWITZ HANOVER in the second half of 2015. TENACIOUS ONE A was carried up second-over, nicely slipped inside midturn to the pocket, clear second. LYONS AMUSEMENTS was third-over but gapped down the back, up for the distant third. IMA TRAGEDY N improved position early, then was badly shuffled on the far turn, found clearance inside and came back some. CENTURY FERRARI took on first-over duty, paid the price in the last 1/8. BJ’S GUY was forwardly-placed, then shuffled behind the gapping two-holer, out in a blindswitch near headstretch, couldn’t regain enough for even a minor award. ALASKAN SEELSTER and BRIMFIELD never factored. JUST N BERLANDER was first on top, yielded for the pocket, was done at the ¾.
THIRD RACE – STOP RESISTIN came uncovered into turn two, came home in 57.1 blowing right by the leader 11/16 and drawing well clear. CASH FOR GOLD went to the pocket just before the 3/16, gapped early backstretch as the pace picked up then better and outside raw in the wake of the cleared winner, a clear second-best. MANWITHAMISSION got early positioning, stayed in, backed outside ¾, along for a no-factor third. MAYFAIR WELL sat in with little. UNABATING grabbed the lead, rated the half, then couldn’t deal with the winner, tiring more the further they went.
FOURTH RACE – ROLL WITH DOM protected position early then moved before the ¼, got the lead, then had more than enough to deal with any challenge he faced here. GENERAL WARD moved second-over, gapped some 5/8 then was left raw nearing the ¾ when his cover broke, solid for second. ESAI HANOVER was four-wide early and three-wide to the first turn, on top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, struggled a bit in the fast last half and quarter. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE moved outside, ducked back in in front of a gapper, couldn’t gain along the inside late. FRISKY PEDRO left three-wide, was looped and couldn’t find a hole until the 5/16, then struggled to keep close from the ½. NOME HANOVER gave a tuck 5/16, went up uncovered into the backstraight, moved up in the third split then broke while looking for a bit more ¾.
FIFTH RACE – ROYALTYWESTHO was between horses leaving, refused the pocket 3/16 and pressed on to 5/16 command, won easily. MAGICAL MISTRESS was three-wide to the first turn, tucked third 3/16, squeezed out past the ¾ in front of a gapper, steadily late for second. WOODMERE OLEKSIAK started raw at the half, didn’t reach the leader, fair late. ENGLISH ROSE N wound up second-over, gapped 11/16, a bit better late. BRING ME DIAMONDS took back at the start and was not again heard from. FIRSTUP trailed. AUDREY ANNA left, yielded for the pocket 5/16, started to gap before the 5/8, broke ¾.
SIXTH RACE – LUCKY LEVIS was parked almost to the quarter for the front, but had little trouble thereafter. HES GONE BADDER was caught inside, out in a blindswitch nearing headstretch and finally angled clear before midstretch, had a big rush late. SOUTHWIND TERROR started grinding raw at the 3/8, didn’t reach the leader but went a solid mile. COLE PORTER N was out behind a wall of horses late turn, ducked in and split horses midstretch, finished well. MAGIC TRICKS used the rail to big advantage and got to sit the pocket journey, but struggled the last ¼. BIG TURN ON backed out to second-over past the 5/8, failed to keep with cover ¾. STEUBEN GLADIATOR was out the duration, got cover 3/8, gapped it 5/8, no major danger. WRANGLER ROCKSTAR raced inside, had little to offer late.
SEVENTH RACE – DOC’S HARMONY was outside early, briefly three-wide past the 3/16 as the horse in second pulled to get the top, back to two-wide and gained the stick 3/8, never a doubt in the last quarter. SURE R LOOKIN GOLD found room 3/16 to move to the top, yielded to the winner, not in her league here but good in second. NARINA HANOVER backed outside behind dull cover, wide headstretch, still last midstretch but finished with a good burst. WINNING WORDS started a long grinding move nearing the second turn, advanced in the third quarter, but had no more to give the last 1/8. RHYME N ROLL stayed in, in tight quarters between horses late. ABBY ROSE took the early lead, saw two go past, stayed in, little left late. LADY MAYA was second-over but gapping by the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – In a great race the last half: STICK WITH CRAMER was looped early and tucked fourth, then uncovered 3/8 reaching the leader at the half, went at that one tooth-and-nail fully the last half, just prevailing in the shadow of the wire. ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE was three-high to the 1/8 then two-wide to quarter command, got a 30 second second quarter but then had the winner right at him the rest of the way, tough one to lose while living up to his name. AWESUM ACE had speed, sat in, behind a gapper on the turn and wide into the lane, finished strongly. KENTUCKY PROUD claimed the front before the 1/8, yielded just past the ¼ for the golden trip, left a little gap the last quarter. POP ICON took back to tuck 3/16, then third-over, three-wide far turn, finished well. DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was last-over, had too far to come. SOMETHINGINTHEWIND was not prominent. TRUSSED UP TRUDY was second-over, gapped much of the backstretch, got a little closer ¾ but then came up empty. CRUISIN VIRGIN was gapping at the back well before the half.
NINTH RACE – HURRICANE CALLEIGH was between horses until getting the lead 3/16, parked one foe then yielded to a wide sweep from the chalk past the 3/8 and stayed close, up the inside in the stretch and along late. ELENIARK A rode outside early. got cover, went three-wide before the 3/8 and cleared the field nearing turn two after hard usage, set the pace, bore out slightly and was caught but was nonetheless good. YES DOUBLE DOWN gave a tuck past the half and then launched first-over before the 5/8, stayed close to two tough ones until late, far clear of the others. TRAFFIC JAM was far back behind dull cover, closed OK wide. LIGHTNING VIRGIN couldn’t keep up second-over. ISLAY N was never heard from. MBT was three-wide to the 3/16 and then left outside by the winner, was looped past the 3/8, got inside off turn two, couldn’t offer much late. IAQUINTA was involved early, yielded, tired ¾.
TENTH RACE – BETTER B ROLLING let hard and yielded 3/16, able to go up into the pocket 3/8 in the fast pace with horses all over the place, took the short one way home and had the most in the 30.1 kicker. LITTLE ADMIRAL took back early, was behind stagnant cover and was moved five-wide late far turn, flying late to pass a lot of horses. PAR INTENDED stayed in, was behind the winner into the stretch, couldn’t quite go enough as much as that one. BIG MACH had cover leaving, then uncovered 3/16 to command off turn one, set a fast pace under pressure, understandably tired some. P-DRIVE HANOVER was three-deep to the 1/8 to command 3/16, yielded off turn one, came out in front of a charger 3/8 but couldn’t summon the speed to get by, didn’t fade badly. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR was third-over and in a blindswitch down the back, backed out to four-wide past the ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN was last, had absolutely nowhere to go in the stretch. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL moved out at the ¼, got cover 3/8 but was rank behind it, three-wide just past the half, clogged that lane the last ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION was in front at the 1/8, got pressure from before the 3/8 from BIG GAME HUNTER but wouldn’t let that one make the top, then had enough to withstand an inside thrust from BAMSKI. The latter yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the winner but couldn’t get on by. BAYONET moved out with cover 9/16, ducked back in on the turn as that cover faltered, couldn’t keep pace with the top two but clear of the rest. BIG GAME HUNTER was looped and settled third at the 1/8, decided to try to brush up 5/16 but didn’t have enough speed to clear and was left out in the air, tired the last ¼. MOONWARDS HANOVER never entered the picture. ALTA SHELBY N gapped at the back. SHADY CITY was outside midpack until getting in before the half, not a late factor. SKYWAY BILLY moved outside but never gained.
TWELFTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was two-wide in a gaggle of leavers, hit the front 5/16, didn’t let anybody by and didn’t let anybody get close the last 3/16. MY ALOHA ROCK N slipped out into a blindswitch down the back then followed a three-wide sweeper, left three-wide 11/16 until able to get back to two-wide late on the turn, good second. CESPEDES Z TAM moved outside 3/8, three-wide before the 5/8, up to two-wide and challenging ¾, couldn’t get to the winner and tucked in past midturn, held third. RED DIRT BOOMER sat in then was shuffled, outside, cleared a blindswitch and had finishing pace. RUNHAPPY TEN was four-wide well past the 1/8, took back to follow cover 3/16, lost it 5/16 and was parked, got in when the pocket horse tired 5/8 but was himself spent by then. SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD was outside but couldn’t summon any gain. KHUN RATHA A was away strongly from the rail, yielded to the 5/16, fell back from the 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LUZIANA was second-over, three-wide ¾, proved to have the most pace here. GRITS N GRAVY quarter-moved and set a quick pace without challengers until the stretch, held off all but one. SAGEBRUSH SID was fourth-over, four-wide past midturn, finished strongly. BULLPUP was third-over, followed three-wide cover but gapped it far turn and was blindswitched, handled cautiously through the stretch trying to find room, had pace at the end. HEEZ ORL BLACK N was three-high early, briefly had cover then went on to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside headstretch, held evenly. DURANT made the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, pulled from third at the half and went raw, didn’t gain that much, held decently. SMART TALKER had little to say here. BOBBIES POWER PLAY got a midpack tuck, gained up the inside early backstretch, not quite enough here. SHARKNADO gapped at the back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ROJAN’S WAY held early position, went uncovered 3/8 and engaged the new leader at the half, ahead of that one from past the 5/8 through the turn but couldn’t clear, held off a bunch in a game triumph. I AM THE COWBOY rocketed out to the lead, saw several go by, waited for the Pocono Pike and was just along for second over NEEDLESS TO SAY. The latter went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded 3/8 to sit the two-hole, out behind the winner headstretch but was slow to find clearance another lane outside that one, possibly costing him place. JUSTIFIED was double-looped, pushed on to 3/8 command, soon joined by the winner, fought bitterly with that one, weakening a little late. TEO ENTEO A moved out in a blindswitch down the back, was blocked through the stretch under a hold. ALL ABOUT RUSTY gapped early and then a bit second-over, not enough late. BIG BOY FRAZIER was off of cover, looked to drift a bit wide ¾, no factor. THE OTHER PAIR were never heard from.
Feb 24, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 28 degrees throughout; track “good +1” through eight races, then “fast +0” … HORSING AROUND insisted on cutting the pace from the pole forcing tucks, kept a controlling lead to the wire. APEX SEELSTER sat in, gapped a bit early, blocked on the far turn, came up the far inside with solid pace. SHANE ADAM went into the pocket at the 1/8, lost a little ground from the ¾ on, still not bad. GRAND TETON was third-over, three-wide with then without cover to two-wide ¾, OK late. MARINER SEELSTER, swishing his tail throughout, made the 3-hole to the 3/16, fell back in the last ¼. BARBADOS was too far back to get into the main fight. CINNAMACK moved second-over, three-wide early backstretch to two-wide but himself stalled past the 5/8. RANGERS SURESHOT attempted a quarter-move but was left out to dry without the necessary speed, fell way back.
SECOND RACE – A REAL MIRACLE left sharply and crossed over into turn one, yielded but retook just past the 3/8, much the best in here. ALEX TYE spotted, then was third-over, briefly three-wide then back to two-wide with cover, again three-wide midturn and was second-best in here. MY MIND IS MADEUP was uncovered into turn two, made the pocket 5/8 as the former resident backed up, couldn’t gain in the stretch. MY DELIGHT stayed inside and gained a lot of ground from far back. BURNING MIDNIGHT had cover then lost it, challenged, backed off steadily in the last 1/8. SPROCKET came three-wide late backstretch but flattened nearing midturn. DAAMERICANSKY was looped early, made the lead off the first turn then surrendered it nearing the second bend, couldn’t keep the hole filled from early backstretch. FIREBALL was never close. WAGON MASTER offered very little.
THIRD RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER spotted early, closed a gap, on the move to turn two and got cover, three-wide 11/16 and went right to the lead early turn, stayed safe with urging. BEST TRICK EVER followed the winner’s cover until winding up two-wide raw far turn, inside early stretch and paced home gamely. BYE BYE JOHN backed out to third-over, four-wide briefly ¾ and three-wide on the turn, OK. NINE WAYS was three-wide leaving to the ¼, made the front 3/8, got little rest, didn’t fade too badly. BOBBY K HILL fought between horses just past the ¼ before getting the lead, shuffled some but didn’t have much response when clear headstretch. ROYAL HEART was innermost in a three-way battle past the ¼, yielded, uncovered again on turn two but couldn’t sustain his bid much past the ¾. STORMONT CZAR A developed a problem past the half.
FOURTH RACE – A snow squall during race … MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was slow to the gate, outside uncovered off turn two, inexorably grinded up, got the advantage midstretch and went on sturdily to the line. CAL tailed the winner’s cover, couldn’t go by but got second in the last steps. JUST N ACE left and took the early pocket 3/16, back out 5/16 to regain the lead, had heavy pressure from the winner, still on even terms midstretch, held well. CAPTAIN NASH settled behind cover early, then raw 3/16 to command just past the 5/16, yielded and sat the pocket, had inside room, OK but not quite enough. BARIMAH A forced a tuck then yielded past the first turn, caught in, had nowhere to go late. HEREITIZ never factored. ROCKNROLL CHARM gapped third-over; he and ROCKIN INTHE HILLS were never factors.
FIFTH RACE – POLAK A was three-high to the 3/16, briefly behind cover then to the lead off the first turn, relinquished to the chalk off the second turn, out again ¾ and went right by, won easily. UNDERTAKER didn’t get much help from his cover, three-wide ¾ to two-wide late turn, enough to hold off ITSONLYROCKNROLL A for place. The latter was last until the stretch, came a long way in the lane with sharp speed. HERE COMES SWIFTY was two-deep much of the ¼, yielded, stayed in, not much late response. CHEYENNE JEFFREY started the outer flow on turn two but never reached the leader. GIAS BOY was not prominent. OFFICIAL DELIGHT pushed early and yielded, came back to reclaim the lead nearing turn two, had no more fight when challenged 3/4 and tired significantly late.
SIXTH RACE – SWEET TEA was three-wide to the first curve, on top 5/16, rated quarter two then had a big challenge from the first-over, with those two being joined by the pocketsitter late, had enough to prevail. WORTHY OF HONOR made the front then yielded to the winner, had a shot up the Pocono Pike, just missed. MANWILLING came boldly uncovered 3/8 and raced the winner head-to-head the third quarter, fell back a little on the turn but persisted gamely (as the pace slowed). PROTOSTAR was third-over, four-wide in the stretch and finished steadily. PRESIDENT, SWEET SOFIE T, and TRICKY DICK were all behind a wall of horses throughout the stretch – hard to tell how much they had left in the 30.2 kicker. LAZER JET was second-over, three-wide midturn, not quite enough. GALIXTON broke just before the 1/8.
SEVENTH RACE – Some stretch headwind … THISJETSABOOKIN yielded at the 3/16 to sit the two-hole, clear in the Pocono Pike and paced away easily. WILSONS VINNER was forwardly-placed early, then trapped in ¾, spent the first half of the stretch angling wide and the second half closing well. BLOW A CLOUD N was first-up at the half, never reached the first horse but went on steadily. CASH IS KING saved ground throughout, some pace late. RAKSMACH N was out 3/16 before taking the lead, set a quick clip on this day, tired in the stretch. MAJOR BUCKS was blindswitched in a stagnant outer flow to the ¾, never gained contention. MOUNTAIN HIGH was second-over, three-wide not long after turning into the backstretch but never posed a major danger. REAL LUCKY N miscued an 1/8 before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – TULLOW N got in a lively outer flow, tipped three-deep late turn and paced over the field at $69.80, giving driver Eric Goodell his first victory since a long hiatus. TWIN B SPEED DIAL defended the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and got the briefest of leads, clearly second. FOO FIGHTER N looped horses en route to 1/8 command, rated the half then sped up, not enough late. WINDSONG JACK moved with cover then lost it to the 11/16, couldn’t continue to gain late. ELECTRIC WESTERN gapped ¾, was doing a little better late. UNION STATION left but took back, went uncovered 9/16 then went into a gap third 11/16, no factor late. JEREMES GENERAL took back into his own hole, was gapping by the ¼ and little to offer today.
NINTH RACE – MELANIE’S TEDY left well and spotted, came uncovered at the half and battled hard for the lead through the backstretch, finally passed the leader ¾, drew clear late in a big mile. P L MUNSON was underway 3/8, three-wide briefly early on turn two as sluggish cover pulled, went behind cover but then had to go three-wide again 11/16 in order to gain, finished steadily for a good second. DA MAGICIAN was looped and settled in fourth 3/16, came out near the half but gapped despite urging, went back inside, then went around a tiring pocketsitter and retucked far turn, split horses late as trying hard and got third. CLASSY HILL went a big opener to put a foe in behind him, was under relentless attack by the winner the third quarter then was passed, held second until late. TUCKER CREEK tried to follow P L MUNSON ¾ but gapped, passed tired horses. ASTON HILL DAVE moved outside but gapped the flow, blindswitched, very little. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A offered very little. ALBERGO HANOVER left, was forced to take the two-hole just past the ¼, was all done to the 11/16.
TENTH RACE – Wind is calmer … GLENGARRY KNIGHT N hit the top straightaway as there were no other fast leavers, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, up the Pocono Pike and looked a safe winner. WESTERN HILL looked to want to take back early but was a little rough and stayed outside until the ¼ then brushed on to the lead 3/8, under reminders the last half, held well but had to settle for second. URBAN RENEWAL gapped in fourth down the back but showed some comeback inside in the last 1/8. WATERWAY had the early pocket by default, stayed connected, came out midturn but had no gain. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was never close but got the last check. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N pulled out at the ¼ but did not find cover and never got close. GRAND PRIORITY and WHAT’S GOIN ON never made their presence felt.
ELEVENTH RACE – JUST PLAIN LOCO had some speed, sat in, got room up the inside as the pocketsitter swung wide, rallied for the tally. OH K MAN started uncovered into turn two, challenged, had a brief lead late turn to just past midstretch, held well. TALK SHOW followed up second-over, three-wide from past midturn, flattened a bit. WHITE HAIR ROCKS took command into turn one, yielded near the ¼ for the two-hole, came out in a blindswitch midturn as the leader started to give a little ground, had to angle four-wide for stretch clearance, OK. SHOREVIEW was parked in a fast opener for the lead, rated the half then came under severe pressure, was beaten midturn but didn’t fade too badly. BARGAIN SHOPPER was wide a long way early before settling in, then followed cover, blindswitched, not much. MR BIG LOAD swung three-wide from fourth-over 5/8, couldn’t threaten. DREAM OF LUCK broke at the start.
TWELFTH RACE — FERNADO pressed on to the lead 3/16, didn’t get pressure until almost the ¾, threw matching 28.2s home to show he was the best here. JANAID moved second-over off turn two, three-wide around a dull one 5/8 back to two-wide and raw, very gamely to the wire. NEWBIE defended the pocket, had a great trip but came up shy along the inside at crunch time. SUNSET BRAYDON was third-over in a nonflow, went four-deep 5/8, to three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t sustain his gain on the turn. BRACKLEY BEACH saved ground to no avail. TODDLER TANTRUM was not heard from. BARNABAS gapped early, moved outside at the half but had no punch at all.
THIRTEENTH RACE – IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N again used his good early speed to make the lead quickly, hung the chalk almost to the 3/8 then sat on his back until the stretch, to the Pocono Pike and had the requisite burst to win. AMERICAN REBEL didn’t leave but was still outside past the 1/8 when deciding to press on to the front, got there at the 3/8, was pressured on the far turn, held gamely but beaten by a horse with a better trip. I GET THAT was uncovered from last before the half and gradually moved forward, attacked the leader on the turn, couldn’t quite sustain the gain in the lane but a clear third. SEVENS HOPE A did not keep up. CLASS SIX took the early two-hole 3/16, not heard from again. FRANKIE ROCKS A was inside, asked for more 5/8, got rough then made a full break.
FOURTEENTH RACE — TRENTE DEO was three-wide to the first turn, briefly had cover then went forward, took until a fast 3/8 to make the lead and continued at a hot clip, with nobody in behind able to do anything about it. HALLIE’S COMET took over the lead at the 1/8, made the winner work to get the top, pulled the pocket 11/16 but was back inside again pretty quickly, paced very well but couldn’t defeat the winner. SAILBOAT HANOVER left and yielded, sat in, did well to be as close as he was in a fast mile. JAHAN HANOVER moved out 5/8, briefly had cover then was left raw and left behind in the last ¼. ROCK THE HILLS stayed in until the stretch, couldn’t quite reach fourth. BILBO HANOVER was outside but couldn’t make a dent; RANSOM DEMAND followed that one then was three-wide on the turn, no factor. THE FINAL TWO were never heard from.
Feb 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
Connors’ Comments at POCONO DOWNS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021
FIRST RACE – High 20s; stretch tailwind from race two until late in the card … MYIDEALSON N got early position, quarter-moved right to the top, shook off the outside challenger by headstretch, then held safe the inside threat of LOVE THE ACTION. The latter was outside until just past the ¼ for the top, yielded for the two-hole, battled inside the winner, good second. BAYONET started uncovered 3/8, pressed the leader hard down the back and through the turn, didn’t fade all that badly. CHIP FOR REAL went evenly along the inside. SHADY CITY gapped third-over. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR made the lead to the 1/8 and kept a foe out until past the ¼, stayed in, little left in the last 1/8. GIVEN UP TERROR looked all-out to keep close to cover down the back and on the turn, swung wide but had no gain. SPICEBOMB jumped early.
SECOND RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY raced into the pocket at the 1/8, tight on the leader the last ½, to the Pocono Pike, good to defeat STEUBEN GLADIATOR. The latter moved uncovered to the 9/16, grinded, may not ever have been ahead but paced on with determination. I AM THE COWBOY headed right down the road, just outsprinted at the end. BOBBIES POWER PLAY was quite wide early, got into third at the 1/8, evenly in the lane. SAGEBRUSH SID moved from last 3/8 and got cover early backstretch, struggled a bit to the lane then did a little better. TRUSSED UP TRUDY sat in, not a presence here. CRUISIN VIRGIN was not swift early, went to third-over but didn’t enter contention.
THIRD RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was uncovered into the backstretch, held his ground evenly down the back then fell back a little on the turn, but could summon some more, made the lead, and just held off RATHER SWELL. The latter was second-over, gapped a bit on the turn, but also gained well late. PAR INTENDED cleared to command past the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and had the lead past midstretch, just nipped. BETTER B ROLLING went in third at the 1/8, moved 5/16 to the front before turn two, didn’t have much pressure, still could not hold on. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN hung a foe 3/16 then yielded, sat in, appeared clear to the far inside but couldn’t get into the main action. RED DIRT BOOMER gapped third-over. NERVES OF STEEL showed little.
FOURTH RACE – DURANT went in third at the 1/8, then was quarter-mover #2, went on at a good clip without heavy pressure, impressive winner. LUZIANA moved second-over, swung three-wide midturn, good but a non-threatening second. I’LL CALL U LATER left, yielded, was quarter-mover #1 and yielded again, not really tight on the winner most of the last half, so-so late. STICK WITH CRAMER was first-up into the club turn, never appeared to head the pocket horse, tired midturn. MORE MORE MORE moved third-over, slid inside for the drive, not that much. SMART TALKER had no say in this. KENTUCKY PROUD was left out 3/16 before getting the point, yielded to two horses, empty midturn.
FIFTH RACE – P-DRIVE HANOVER was looped leaving and rode cover to the ¼, then went up and cleared to the lead past the 3/8, didn’t have much pressure and drew away nicely. SKYWAY BILLY was the first to show then yielded, sat third-in, got room inside when the pocket horse pulled on the turn, best of the rest. MY ALPHA ROCK N was third-over behind dull cover, three-wide before the ¾ to the finish and steadily gained. CESPEDES Z TAM was wide early then parked until getting the top at the ¼, yielded nearing turn two for the pocket, pulled same past midturn but never gained. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT started uncovered going to turn two, stalled 11/16 having not headed the pocket horse. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL was second-over, blindswitched late backstretch, ducked in, little late. SPRINGBRIDGE ROAD broke not long after the start and couldn’t get back into it.
SIXTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE got the first call, yielded for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike and had the most of these late. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP came raw from third 9/16, went on steadily but couldn’t get the job done. CAMPBELLINI made the front past the 1/8, got a moderate middle half with the chalk only coming to him late backstretch, held OK. WHOUCALNCRAZY sat in then angled out in the lane but could make little impact. BUTTER TOFFEE gapped at a couple of points. SHOEMAKER HANOVER had too far to come. LE REVEUR N came out at the bottom of turn two then got cover coming out of that bend, started gapping ¾. STOP RESISTIN made a break w-a-y before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – POP ICON worked out a nice second-over trip, let uncovered far turn, finished out well to take the victory. JUSTIFIED stayed in, deftly moved into a blindswitch midturn then ducked back in to the pocket late turn, in the Pocono Pike and edged a pair for second. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was first-over just before the 3/8, grinded steadily and made the lead far turn, held well after a not-easy journey. BIG BOY FRAZIER was third-over, finished steadily. IMA TRAGEDY N sat in and was shuffled far turn then out into the blindswitch behind the place horse, angled inside towards midstretch and had some gain. BJ’S GUY was fourth-over, had to go four-wide late turn, little chance. DONEGAL JIM yielded for the pocket, badly shuffled around the turn. LOVE YOURSELF left quickly to gain command, set the pace but had nothing in reserve when challenged to the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was looped and three-wide most of the 1/8, tucked third after the outside challenger broke, then quarter-moved but took the length of the frontstretch to clear, but still drew clear in the last half in a very nice mile. CASH FOR GOLD was battling with a foe when that one jumped 3/16, pushed the winner then yielded before the second curve, couldn’t go with the winner but did hold second. TROLLER moved outside midturn and narrowed in some. SPOILER ALERT was far back, took the inner route and had a good gain. B THREESEVEN sat in good position, not much at crunch time. ARCH CREDIT moved out on the far turn but didn’t make up ground. DISCUS HANOVER left well and was fighting for command towards the 3/16 when jumping. SPEED BALL SWAGGER gapped midrace, came outside off turn two but made a break and went wide; KEYSTONE SERGEANT, just behind him, tried to go through inside that one but also miscued.
NINTH RACE – ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE wound up going down the road, handled both the first-over and the late surge of LUCKY LEVIS. The latter was outleft, managed to defend the pocket as the outside challenger backed off, took his shot in the stretch and was good but had to settle for second. LYONS AMUSEMENTS left well and was almost a length past the winner past the 1/8 when he took back and finally got in at the ¼, gapped far turn, but then found good finishing pace. HEEZ ORL BLACK N tucked fourth, came raw on turn two and pressed the leader, tired some very late. ALASKAN SEELSTER sat in and gapped. HES GONE BADDER and BIG TURN ON were behind the dull cover of second-over WRANGLER ROCKSTAR; none of those three made their presence felt.
TENTH RACE – BIG GAME HUNTER stayed two-wide behind the early fight, then paced up to take control before the 3/8, never threatened. LITTLE ADMIRAL was second-over, three-wide not much past the ¾, gained steadily in the last quarter; RUNHAPPY TEN was right on his back and was along for third. MOONWARDS HANOVER was shuffled to last, finished alertly inside. KHUN RATHA A sat in, moved over a lane in the stretch, may have been in tight quarters between horses late. ER ROCK MY WORLD was three-wide to the first turn and got in front at the 1/8, yielded, stayed in, not much to offer late. ALTA SHELBY N was four-wide early and three-wide to the 3/16, crossed over off the first turn then yielded to the winner, paid the price for the early exertion. BAMSKI left some, came back first-over towards turn two but couldn’t get close.
ELEVENTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY was on the move 3/16 to get the lead and control the pace, drew clear ¾ and finished in 27.2 in hand. PLAY THERAPY tucked in third before the 1/8, came out in the lane and had good pace. FATHER FRED was on top before the 1/8, yielded to the winner, outpaced for second. VINTAGE SUMMER stayed in, gapped far turn. YER SO BAD was third-over in a dull flow, ducked in and finished with some pace. JUNIOR MAN was second-over but didn’t have great cover, three-wide late turn, a bit late. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN was uncovered into turn two, never reached the leader before fading. PANTHER’S PINOT was already leaving a big gap by the 3/8.
TWELFTH RACE – Wind has abated somewhat … ROJAN’S WAY got early positioning, went first-over at the half, got cover to the ¾ but found that useless and was three-wide near late turn, drew off from these. BULLPUP was third-over behind a dull one, very wide in the lane and gaining as the pace slowed. GRAVE DANCER pushed much of the 1/4 and yielded, gapped third-inside on the turn, just third. JUST N BERLANDER stayed in, angled out early stretch then dove down into the Pocono Pike and was gaining. MAGIC TRICKS looked at leaving but tucked, shuffled to last, gained some in the declining tempo. TEO ENTEO A left and cleared just before the ¼, yielded 3/8, pulled the pocket ¾ but had no gain. PROM KING could do little from second-over. CENTURY FERRARI went frontward belatedly early and was three-deep 3/16, then pressed on two-wide to the lead 3/8 in a very fast half, tired.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was looped early, pressed on to the front off turn one, dealt with the first-up, then had enough to defeat foes to both sides while drifting out a bit. GRITS N GRAVY was away nicely to 1/8 command, yielded for the two-hole, outside stretch, just did get second over R GAUWITZ HANOVER. The latter spotted early then was a groundsaver, steady pace up the inside. SOUTHWIND TERROR was second-over, three-wide midturn but lacked sufficient late kick. SHARKNADO gapped third-over early backstretch then got tighter, tried to gain wide on the turn but could not. TENACIOUS ONE A went uncovered nearing turn two and was tenacious in challenging the winner, but tired past midturn. THE OTHER DUO did not make their presence felt.
FOURTEENTH RACE – RANSOM DEMAND was in front at the 1/8, yielded to the retaker for the two-hole, not outside until early stretch, gradually got to the front. JAHAN HANOVER left, yielded, retook before being caught in by a parked challenger, set the pace, held very well. DRAGON STRIKES sat in, went to the Pocono Pike and gained strongly. WILSON VINNER stayed in, gapped a little 11/16, evenly late. SHIPSHAPE tucked midpack, then was second-over, three-wide midturn, found his best strides a little too late. VODKA ON THE BEACH was not in the main action. SCOTT ROCKS left, tucked third when the favorite retook the lead, went first-over at the half, tired far turn. GRANDPA DON was never close. REDDING HANOVER was away slowly and then gapped.
