Oct 15, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … JUST N ACE sat the two-hole, came out in the stretch and wore down SOMETIMESAWINNER. The latter was out strongly for the rail, picked up the pace down the backstretch to keep out a charging first-over, couldn’t handle the winner but did preserve second over ROYAL HEART. The latter sat third-in, to the Pocono Pike and found his best strides a bit too late. KEYSTONE STEAM backed out to third-over 5/8, three-wide late on the turn and best of the rest. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN came steadily up the inside for the last check. MAYFIELD DUKE pulled early to follow cover but gapped it. ROCKNROLL CHARM never settled in, went up and got cover but gapped it 5/8. POLAK A tucked early, moved uncovered to the half and sprinted up in 26.2 down the back to challenge hard, but tired midturn. RUNHAPPY TEN never factored.
SECOND RACE – MARION GONDOLIER took advantage of track geometry to get the lead and kept it throughout, well-clear at the end. WISENHEIMER was ahead between horses early but couldn’t clear to the lead and took back for the pocket, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike. LINDSEY’S PRIDE was three-wide most of the 3/16 before tucking third, outside before late turn, wasn’t gaining late. JOEY PRO was second-over 3/8, moved three-wide to the ¾ well behind the top three and had a good last quarter. THE NEXT THREE never factored. MY LINDY WINNER broke at the 1/8, caught back on fairly quickly and went up uncovered, never headed the third-in horse before tiring.
THIRD RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT got underway early and fronted this field coast-to-coast, with no one able to stay with him in a 1:49.3 mile. DEALT A WINNER moved behind the parked horse to turn two, three-wide before the ¾, along for the distant second. IN SPADES backed off and rode in the pocket, started to gap at the half. BURNING MIDNIGHT passed tired horses. THE FIRST STEP was three-wide 3/16 then had to race two-wide through monstrous fractions, faded. I’M BENICIO A was underway early but could do little. MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N was outside leaving, went into his own hole at the ¼, was fading before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – IYQ YQR made the front and forced a tuck, pushed the favorite most of the length of the frontstretch before yielding and sitting the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and gradually got the upper hand in the two-horse battle to the wire. STICK WITH CRAMER tucked fourth, moved 5/16 and went his middle half in 55.2 in clearing to the lead into the wind and then rolling down the back, game but second-best today. DAVID THE SAINT got the two-hole early, stayed in, just third, well off the leaders, over SPANISH ART. The latter moved behind the brusher then was left raw at the half, couldn’t reach, fair late. BUSBOY HANOVER took an inner route to the last check. BEACH PRO did not have great cover, not all that much. INTERNET HANOVER and THORN IN YOUR SIDE were not prominent. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was away third, started gapping 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICAIT was given his head by The Trot Man and set a very fast pace, tiring from early stretch but had opened too much of a lead to be overcome. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE tucked fifth 3/16, suffered “b.e.” after the ¼, came out in the stretch and kept gaining but couldn’t reach. CRAZYCAT inherited the pocket after the 3/4 breaker, Pocono Pike, OK. UNCLE LEO and ZOOMING had a little late from far off the pace. CASINO CUTIE IT was outside on turn two, three-wide early backstretch around the parked horse but didn’t factor. SQUEE HANOVER left, found no hole and drifted outside, no factor the last 3/8. BELLA AVA raced into the pocket, had cut an 8-length lead in half by the ¾, but went offstride just past that spot.
SIXTH RACE – SHANE ADAM was third-over behind gapping cover, made a big move 11/16 to get into contention, found better strides past midstretch and was along in time. VORACITY pushed a foe then yielded but was quick on the retake, then kept another challenger out, opened a brief clear lead after resisting all challenges to midstretch in a fast tempo, couldn’t stave off the winner. MAJOR DECEPTION moved uncovered 3/8 but never could clear, fought with the winner, ducked inside headstretch as the pocket horse faded, kept at his task gamely. WAGON MASTER was out second-over but gapped and was blindswitched, then backed out behind the winner, gained a little late. REAL LUCKY N tucked fourth 3/16, sat in, was shuffled as the pocketsitter tired, moved two-wide but couldn’t gain late. JINS SHARK also was shuffled, moved three-wide, had a touch of pace at the end. SHADY CITY gapped in last. CLASS SIX was urged leaving, out most of a quick quarter for the lead, yielded and sat behind duelers, little left for the last panel.
SEVENTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK tucked fourth at the 1/8, started raw just past the half, cleared by the ¾ and was an easy winner. P L ICABOD pushed a quick quarter and yielded for the two-hole, backed out behind the winner ¾ and soon was uncovered, steadily. MYSTICAL WYNN was three-deep to turn one then in sixth before the ¼, moved second-over behind the winner but gapped letting the place horse out, did better in the last stanza. O JONNIE gapped third-over, best of the rest. JACK RULES was last much of the way, didn’t have much chance. SMOOTH ACCELERATION challenged for the early lead and finally got it coming off the first bend, got pressure from the winner from early backstretch, yielded ¾ and faded. LIONBACKER KIDD and CHRISTOPHER CRAZO could not get into contention after inside trips. ANDOVERS TOUCH was near the back throughout.
EIGHTH RACE – MAC ANOVER used the rail to maximum effect, forcing tucks then letting a foe go at the ¼ to sit the pocket and keep it closed, appeared to start edging out midturn but went back in, to the Pocono Pike, quickly to the lead, had the wire come just in time. STAR COMMANDER N sat in until late on the turn, angled wide and came barreling home, a winner two steps past the wire. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A diagonaled behind the four early battlers and slid in fourth, deep in the Pike, not quite enough late. PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER was two-wide in the warring foursome early, made the lead at the ¼, got no pressure although going on at a good clip, not enough late. WILD BILL was four-wide to the 1/8, backed off and tucked fifth, outside late turn but couldn’t gain enough. URBAN RENEWAL was three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide and soon uncovered, didn’t have enough to press the pacesetter before fading. THE LAST TWO were never close.
NINTH RACE – MR COOL SEAEYRE N was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to command near the ¼, yielded to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, got an advantage midstretch but didn’t extend it by much over a game VALLEY OF SIN. The latter made two speed moves, rated the half, held very stubbornly late. SPECTRE was blocked inside, came clear deep in the Pike late and finished strongly. CHUCKY DE VIE went to the early lead, pushed then yielded, sat third-in, not too much late. BILLIE BLUE gapped second-over, with SILVERMASS VOLO on his back; both gained some while wide late. ARCHIBALD was not heard from. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT moved uncovered towards turn two and trotted a strong third quarter to press the pace, but then gave way. TECH TITAN was a bit off the gate and never close.
TENTH RACE – MUSCLE M UP was forwardly-placed early, uncovered before the 5/8 and battled the leader from the 11/16 onward, got the lead ¾ but couldn’t clear inside, but then proceeded on and defeated these. SCIROCCO ROB stayed in, angled wide headstretch and was flying late to grab second over a pair. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY was looped while three-wide, went on up and finally made the point 3/8, under intense pressure, tired a bit. ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL flew around everybody early, pushed the chalk then yielded 3/8 for the pocket, wasn’t keeping up the last ¼. ARABELLA’S CADET briefly steadied when a foe made a break 3/16, then third-over, not a major factor. NO DRAMA PLEASE caused none today. CROOKED CREEK broke midpack 3/16. RICH AND MISERABLE was second-over, gapped the winner’s cover then broke 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL was on the bit early, moved at the half and paced in 26.1 wind-aided down the back to clear at the ¾, went on to the wire to ensure the victory. JOESSTAR OF MIA A moved second-over but couldn’t stay with the winner’s brush, uncovered on the turn, never gave up the fight. PRINCE OF TIDES was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide 5/16 to reach the top, didn’t have the speed to keep the winner out ¾ but kept on digging to the wire in the Pocono Pike. CROCKETS CULLEN N left hard from the rail and wouldn’t yield until the 5/16, pocket, backed out of same on the turn after the winner went by, so-so. LAKE CHARLES sat in, gapped, never prominent. J M MANDAMIN gapped third-over. THE OTHER PAIR could not reach contention.
TWELFTH RACE – TWIN B TUFFENUFF pushed a foe past a 26 opener, yielded but immediately retook, went on in fast splits, shook off the first-over headstretch then was able to hang on over RODEO ROCK. The latter was second-over but gapped until the far turn, wide and narrowing in with every step. AMERICAN ZEST A left, then was first-over 5/8, challenged very hard on the far turn, but couldn’t sustain that move. TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY was parked well past a 26 opener to get the lead, yielded to the retaking winner, couldn’t summon enough response late. BRANQUINHO backed off to tuck before the 1/8, not heard from thereafter. HEAVEN’S GAIT had too far to come. FATHER SARDUCCI was not a factor.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WINNING LEGENDS yielded for the pocket, popped out 11/16 and went right to the lead, had two lengths midstretch, then just had enough to avoid being caught by BROADWAY ATHENA. BROADWAY ATHENA came uncovered at the 5/8, briefly three-wide 11/16 to not lose momentum as the winner came out, uncovered on the turn, didn’t keep up early stretch, then was steadily shrinking the margin. TRUEMASS VOLO backed outside, gapped, distant third. TWO AM sat in, was shuffled but never recovered significant ground. MISS MCKEE was in front past the 1/8 and set the pace, all done when challenged ¾. GOES DOWN SMOOTH made a break nearing the 3/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – WEONA SIZZLER A was away third, quarter-moved, went 26.4 down the back so that favored first-over couldn’t reach, stayed safe. MACHIATTO A left with high speed from the pole and forced tucks, yielded to the winner, kept close the rest of the way but couldn’t make up late ground. WHATS INTHE ESKY A tucked fifth 3/16, gapped down the back in the fast split, then found better steps, cleared between horses very late and finished well. MAJOR OFFENSE stayed connected, backed out late on the far turn, could not make an impact. SEMI TOUGH went in fourth 3/16, moved uncovered to the half, paced his own third quarter in 26.1 but still couldn’t reach the leader, faded some. LORD WILLOUGHBY gapped second-over. THE OTHERS couldn’t gain into a 55.2 back half.
Oct 13, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind, with occasional gusts … FULL VIEW was in the outer flow two- and three-wide, went four-wide midturn and circled everybody to draw off easily. LOU’S SWEETREVENGE made the lead, kept an early challenger parked, kept a sweeper parked to the ¾ through the turn, held for second. FIND ONE MORE yielded for the pocket and kept it closed, stayed close for third. MOONLIGHT SHADOW was outside, followed the first sweeper then was left three-wide raw to the ¾ and through the turn, fair. DEO PICASSO stayed in and left a gap off the early fight, never in the main picture. SUPER MAC broke well before the start, caught the field but never contended. BOLTMAN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide with cover to a midpack tuck, came out at the half and was three-wide before the 5/8, to two-wide before the ¾, but the hard trip tired him late. BEACHMASTER TWO gapped. DOGFIGHT went up to challenge for the lead but got the cold shoulder, fought on until almost the ¾ before fading.
SECOND RACE – TRICKY DICK, prepping for a stake in three days’ time, got away fourth as there were four early breakers, made one move off the second turn and made the lead by the end of the backstretch, no problem. TRAIN was innermost of three horses behind the leader, yielded to the middle one after the wide one and the leader broke, shuffled a little far turn then to the Pocono Pike and had some trot. VINCENTI backed out to follow the winner ¾, lost that cover, so-so. DAGON HANOVER was between horses much of the ¼ after being looped, finally claimed the top, couldn’t resist the winner ¾ and tired. GRANT HALL was leaving when breaking, caught the field rather quickly but broke again at the half. CIRCUIT PARTY left and was looped, three-wide 1/8 then taking back for a hole but broke. MY SON TY HANOVER broke 3/16. BANKSTER jumped well before the start.
THIRD RACE – ROCK THREE TIMES got a great second-over trip, looked full of pace when tipped three-wide midturn, came home in 27.3 and ran down ABSOLUTE INTENT midpond at 22-1. The latter headed down the road, got a breather to the half, then had to pick up the pace, good but couldn’t keep the winner at bay. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN took the pocket and stayed close, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike late (in a fast last quarter). IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW started uncovered to turn two and steadily gained until late turn. AUDACIOUS WARRIOR never entered the main mix. DULL ROAR got in third at the 3/16, looked about all-out to keep up from the half. THISBEACHRGHTHEREA broke going to the first turn, recovered and was third-over, gapped midturn. RACE ME VILLA fell back.
FOURTH RACE – NINETEEN CRIMES left, yielded, moved to the lead to the 3/8 as the horse yielding the lead broke, had ANNA BOLENA make a good challenge but left her behind with a 28.1 last quarter in a 2YO nw2 trot. The latter moved raw past the 5/8, reached the leader ¾ and gave her some competition while those two drew away, second-best. DIFFIDENT started raw at the half, got cover 5/8 but couldn’t go with it, ducked inside and was third. CHEESY HANOVER made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, went back up to the pocket as a rival broke, tired ¾. BELAIR BEAUTY was outside but never got close. MOODY BLUE was gapping by the half. PRAIRIE TRINKET broke early in the backstretch before the start. EVIL EMPRESS gradually ranged up to the lead off the first turn, broke yielding to the winner.
FIFTH RACE – KYUQUOT moved strongly at the half and challenged, fell back slightly into the stretch and saw the Pocono Pike horse get a stretch lead, but surged on by late under confident handling. MOVE THE LINE left, was battling with an outside challenger when that one broke past the 1/8, yielded to a 3/8 rusher for the pocket, as noted to the Pike and got a short lead, could not sustain. MASTERY left well and had a slight lead but wasn’t clear when breaking before the 3/16, quickly settled and went into a gaping pocket, then moved to the front 3/8, did well considering the break. SEXY BLUE CHIP had good cover second-over but didn’t have the needed late punch. ACUP O JOE HANOVER was not prominent; nor was NUTTIN BUT FINESSE. HARD ROCK HULK gapped at a couple of points, backed out ¾ and then three-wide but had little. LOST MY LIGHT was near the back throughout.
SIXTH RACE – GHOST PEPPER went uncovered towards turn two and went a big third quarter to get the lead, opened up an insurmountable advantage. BELIEVER circled everybody early to the top, yielded at the ¼, was locked in all the way around the final turn, finally got to the Pocono Pike and had steady late trot as clearly second-best. TUFF TO BE LINDY settled third early, stayed in, shuffled, then out two-wide midturn and three-wide late turn, beat out the others for the very distant third. CHURCH SOUT gapped early, didn’t really factor. NONPAREILCHECKMATE was looped and out to the quarter for the top, drastically slowed quarter two, then couldn’t keep the winner out to the ¾ and backed up the inner tier. BRITISH BULLDOG came out second-over but gapped. HIT THE BOARD came out third-over but had little and was soon back inside. HOSTILE looked as if he wanted to try for early position but broke right at the start. KUSCHEL HANOVER was off the gate and fell way back the last quarter.
SEVENTH RACE – SOCIETY JILL was three-wide to the top to the first turn, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, outside stretch, another who was briefly passed by a Pocono Pike horse but kept at it and got the win. IDEAL HANNAH was looped leaving, worked up to the pocket nearing the ¼, caught inside, clear as the winner pulled out, to the Pike and had a good burst to get a short lead but couldn’t sustain it to the wire. SNUF ENUF HANOVER moved at the ¼, in gear 5/16 to the lead 3/8, dealt with backstretch pressure continuing to midturn, didn’t come up shy by much but caught to both sides. LADYSINGSTHEBLUES was far back with cover, three-wide covered far turn, wider in the lane and had a big rush. FOOL’S MATE was outside, ducked in before the ¾ bothering HELLO TOMMY, stayed inside, evenly, placed for interference. EMORI HANOVER joined the outer flow and wound up second-over, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. CHILI PEPPER moved outside from seventh 3/16, had cover to the 3/8 then left raw, challenged, tired. HELLO TOMMY was forwardly-positioned early, gapped, then was bothered before the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – FOCUS POCUS tucked third, out in front of the stands and went by the first brusher after the 3/8, got a huge lead as the pocket horse stopped then saw the others catch up towards the fast 3/4, had a challenger on the far turn but held him safe late. HUNTING AS got going raw at the half, retucked in the pocket midbackstretch and tightened on the winner, outside far turn and got close, but had no more gain left in him. GERARD went right to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, retucked around one of them late backstretch, steadily. THE NEXT THREE never really entered the picture. NOW LOOK AT HERE had the early pocket, brushed to the lead to the 3/8 then yielded, got to the half in 57.1 but then kept slowing. LOVING LIFE had very little.
NINTH RACE – FLIRTY FORTY was three-wide 3/16 to the lead off the first bend, rated the half, sped up, then left these behind in the last quarter. PEGGY J was uncovered from second-last just past the 3/8, passed many horses when pacing her third quarter in 27 raw, couldn’t go with the winner but an impressive second. SPIRIT’S DELIGHT backed out to follow great cover, gapped it a little down the back, three-wide late turn, drifted very wide in the stretch but gained some. SPECIAL ACHIEVER was shuffled, found clearance between horses late and was the distant fourth ahead of a bunch. KENDALL’S COUSIN left between horses and tucked third, struggled the last half. SWEETONTHEBEACH and AVAYA HANOVER were too far back in the two-wide tier. IDEAL DANCER pushed the early action from the rail and yielded to sit the pocket, came up empty late.
TENTH RACE – PILGRIMS TIDE forced an early challenger to tuck then went on to keep an outside challenger parked, drew clear at the half and was never in any danger. STRIKING ENCORE actually showed ahead of the winner for a couple of early steps but then submitted to track geometry and took the pocket, disconnected at the half but still went on enough to be the distant second. MAYFAIR WELL sat in, outside in the stretch but couldn’t gain enough for place. INAPERFECTWORLD was in a different time zone as last at the ¾, but followed three-wide cover on the turn, went wider in the stretch, then missed second by only a length – better mile than it may look. MYSTICAL MOTOR was outside behind the two fading parked horses and was three-wide without cover on the turn, OK but outkicked for fourth. SORTIE HANOVER (gapping much of the way) and CRITICAL MASS were never prominent. CROSSFIT had early cover then went frontward raw but didn’t have enough speed and was left outside, broke headstretch. MAGIC VACATION slid an 1/8 tuck, then moved out with cover into turn two, faded before the parked-the-mile horse did, broke in the stretch, returned with “b.e.”
ELEVENTH RACE – MISTER DAYTONA N was three-wide before the 1/8 to the lead before the ¼, rated quarter two then accelerated to meet the first-over, with those two joined by a Pocono Piker, stayed in front in a good effort. CLOUSEAU HANOVER tucked fourth at the 1/8, revved up uncovered on turn two and paced a third split in 26.3 (those “gusting winds” picked up for this race) to challenge, kept up trying very hard, big mile. TRENTE DEO went away strongly, yielded to the ¼, waited for the Pike, a step shy. WARRAWEE IDEAL was second-over, fell back a bit the last quarter. DRAGON STRIKES swung wide headstretch, too far to come to contend. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was between horses early then tucked in, looked to be all-out most of the last half. SAINT GEORGE P gapped at the back throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – A wild and woolly affair – with a 32.1 last quarter, conducive to 48-1 shots beating 77-1 shots … FRAC took back early and was shuffled to last, was out with cover far turn all the way to four-wide late turn, went wider and caught tired stock in the shadow of the wire. KANDY KORN joined the outside tier, four-wide midturn, never had the lead but won a three-way photo for second in the late slowdown. BIGBOY ROSCO moved outside then was soon three-wide 9/16, in the three-path the duration, right with the top ones. TW LAUXMONT had cover early, lost it then got new cover, three-wide 5/16 to try to clear, back to two-wide and finally made the lead and the inside 5/8 after tremendously-hard usage, to his credit stayed as close as he did to the wire. PRETTY EDGY was in the outer tiers, came inside in the stretch, blocked upper stretch then ducked further inside, fair. ALEXANDER HANOVER sat in, was blocked in the stretch. DJOKOVIC N was three-wide 3/16 when taking bad steps and bearing wide, briefly four-wide past the 1/8 then two–wide off cover, left uncovered down the back, didn’t get close again but kept the wide horses wide. KAFFIR KEMP tucked from between horses, moved at the ¼ but was denied the lead and retreated to the pocket past the 3/8, shuffled behind the tired pocketsitter, inside but not much late. BUZZEN GARLAND was the innermost leaver, denied a quarter-mover then kept another challenger out to the 5/8, yielded and gapped from there.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A looked at leaving but took back, came uncovered nearing turn two and had the lead soon off that bend, threw a 27 knockout punch down the back and won easily. STENDAHL HANOVER was behind so-so cover, three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide raw ¾, just held for second, with five horses within a half-length. MCBOOGITTY pushed foes early, yielded 5/16, sat in, gapped far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and made a bit of a recovery. GINGER TREE MARTY gapped cover down the back, three-wide late turn, finished nicely. ARTMAGIC was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide 5/16 to get the lead, yielded past the half and immediately began to gradually lose ground. RISE UP NOW moved behind the winner but then was left raw, one-paced. VODKA ON THE BEACH never factored. WILDCAT HILTON left but took back, no factor. JAGGER ROCKS was last at every call.
FOURTEENTH RACE – GOLDEN SON was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead past the 3/16, got a breather in quarter two, continued on and stayed good to the wire. RIVER OTTER was between horses to the 1/8, then yielded for the pocket, outside stretch, gained a little bit. PHANTOM RUSTY pushed the 1/8 and yielded, sat in, Pocono Pike, fair. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY got in fourth to the 3/16, moved uncovered at the half, got to almost the leader’s wheel midturn then tired some. ALEXANDRIA HANOVER was third-over, four-wide headstretch and closed well belatedly. SHIVERED stayed inside, gapped. CRESURREY was second-over, three-wide past midturn, no gain late. THE LAST TWO gapped at the back.
Oct 8, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – FERNADO was the first to show and had crossed over before the first turn, went coast-to-coast and spurted clear late. ALWAYS B MAGIC was four-wide early, to two-wide to the pocket before the ¼, gained a little in the Pocono Pike towards midstretch then flattened slightly. REGAL HOPE sat third, started gapping a bit before the 5/8, still held the distant third. QUAKE BLUE CHIP advanced inside, fair late. BIG MACH came out down the back then was soon three-deep around stalling cover, to two-wide far turn but could make no further headway. SKYWAY BILLY never factored. AMERICA FIRST was outside midpack, with cover to the ¼ then raw, tiring to the ¾. THE OTHERS were never in the picture.
SECOND RACE – SHES SPORTY A left strongly and had looped her quick starting opposition by the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket and up on the bit, outside midturn and sailed right by. ALWAYS B LUCY was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-deep just past the 5/16 for the front, could do nothing about the winner but took second inside of the inside-rallying SUN BELLE SLIPPERY. The latter sat forwardly-placed, went to the Pocono Pike, not far off place. SAPPHIRE HILL and DAWN SHOOTER gained checks after inside journeys. HOW ABOUT MURPH got to the early pocket, stayed connected in third until the stretch, moved outside but came up empty. THE NEXT TWO were always far back. LIVE ODDS was uncovered just before the half but didn’t gain, then fell back.
THIRD RACE – GALLERIA GAL came out third-over, three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide, confidently wore down SHOULDABEENATD. The latter got early position then moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8 in a fast half, not quite enough left late. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD had a bit of speed off the gate, then was second-over, blindswitched by the winner before the ¾ then edged out three-wide towards midturn, ducked in for the stretch and had some late pace. TALK SHOW CHICA refused a pocket tuck and went on to the point past the ¼, yielded 3/8, didn’t have too much left late. WINNING WORDS was three-wide to the ¾ then four-wide, couldn’t gain enough. THE NEXT PAIR gapped at the back. PRINCESS SHARKTANK spotted, started uncovered 5/8 but offered little. MRS MAJOR HILL made the top past the 1/8, pushed another 1/8 and yielded, struggled the last 3/8.
FOURTH RACE – EV’S GIRL left three-wide to the top, slowed quarter two, looked to have things in control but tired a bit late and the margin diminished, but still successful. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE raced third-in, to the Pocono Pike and made up some ground late. KINETIC KING defended the pocket, looked to be struggling a bit on the turn, but went on steadily late. WHAT A HUNK moved out at the ¼ and got cover just past the 3/8, gapped down the back, then went inside the first-over headstretch and tried hard to the finish. SHADY MCCOY did not have great cover, earned the last check. STOP RESISTIN found a spot fifth, then started raw into turn two, not a serious threat at any point but went on evenly. NEW IDENTITY was never a presence. NOBLE PRIZE gapped inside.
FIFTH RACE – GUNSLINGER HILL yielded near the 1/8 but was soon on a regaining move, didn’t have great outside pressure until the stretch, then withstood CATCH MY SUNSHINE. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, kept on to get the lead nearing the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside stretch, good but second. AUTOTUNE HANOVER shook loose to midstretch and had good pace under the wire. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was never a factor. ASCARYONE HANOVER came out behind the parked horse 3/8, sent three-wide 11/16, gained then had little in the last 1/8. STONEBRIDGE PROUD had “cover” midpack during the early lead exchanges, then was left uncovered, held halfway decently. SIR JAKE’S Z TAM got in the wide tier but could not get close. DEVISSER moved out but didn’t show much.
SIXTH RACE – COLE PORTER N made a big uncovered move 5/8 and was singing “You’re The Top” early into the final turn, ran away in a laugher. SPECTACULAR ROCK got early position, moved outside behind the winner, couldn’t go with that one but avoided being trapped behind the tiring pacesetter, a distant second. NEWS WATCH came through on the inside to hit Trifectas. ALASKAN SEELSTER had all kinds of traffic trouble early stretch, good between horses once free. DAFINATY was three-wide after being looped then two-wide, tucked fourth 5/16, backed outside as the inner tier crumbled, so-so. SOUTHERN ALLIE got around everybody with a sharp start, yielded for the two-hole, stuck behind the leader as the winner zipped past, got out behind the first two finishers but had little left to offer. MAGIC TRICKS showed little magic here. WESTERN ALUMNI was looped and went on to gain command off the first turn, nothing when challenged ¾. BIG CC’S ROCK was out behind the cover of the winner but had very little.
SEVENTH RACE – GLIDE IN THE WIND was looped, went on to 5/16 command and rolled on, a good winner. HIGGS BOSON was third-over, three-wide late turn and passed a lot of horses to be a hard-charging second. DARTY was the fastest and was quickly in front, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, little stretch response. O JONNIE stayed inside and was fair late. MANDELA BLUE CHIP was up close to the action, came up empty at crunch time. WINNING PRINCESS was second-over, accepted a blindswitch late turn, then had some solid trot once free. HANOVERS BEST gradually got in gear at the half and went first-over, couldn’t sustain the bid. TURVILLE HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field but never entered contention. MUSCLE STAR was looped and three-wide almost to the 3/16, tucked fourth but then broke 5/16.
EIGHTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER was last for almost 7/8 of the mile, moved three-wide midturn, overpaced everybody as the tempo diminished. TANGLED MIND had pretty good cover, three-wide ¾ through the turn, made the lead deep stretch only to be caught by the late flyer. REDHOT ROMEO utilized the rail well, yielded and retook before the parked horse pinned him, yielded to that one at the half, went to the Pocono Pike and had an advantage from early stretch to deep stretch, tired a bit. MYSTERY ISLAND came on the first-over grind, held his ground pretty well. CHANCELLORCULLEN N backed out to follow cover, was blindswitched midturn, didn’t come clear quickly, hard to tell how much he had left. CARMENS BEST was looped, had cover to almost the 3/8 then rushed on to the front at the half, couldn’t carry his speed to the line. BETTER BANGBANG gapped. ACHILLES BLUE CHIP was three-wide to the 3/16 to the lead off the first turn, yielded, all done 5/8.
NINTH RACE – WOODMERE OLEKSIAK was between horses early and went on to the lead 3/16, rated the half, then came home in 55.4 – 27.4 in control. TRAFFIC JAM was three-deep to early command, yielded for the pocket, managed to hold second. ROCK N ROLL BABE spotted to the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, OK gain. TSM ARTEMIS T sat in, went inside the drifting first-over and had pace on the end. SUNSHINE INN was forwardly-placed, uncovered 5/8, tired and looked to drift out a bit. ELENIARK A was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t gain much. RHYME N ROLL was not prominent. SWEET CAMILLE moved second-over but gapped. SECURE THE BORDER lost contact in the second quarter.
TENTH RACE – BILLY LINCOLN N was three-wide most of the ¼ to get the lead, slowed the half, looked to have shaken off his nearest pursuers late on the far turn, but saw them resurgent late, held on in back fractions of 55 – 27.2. SCOOTNROLL started uncovered at the half and went right up to challenge the leader, fell back a bit on the far turn but had renewed overdrive in the stretch and almost made it in a game performance (54.1 own back half raw). SWEET TRUTH defended the pocket and was well-placed, Pocono Pike, very good but a step shy of the top two. ROLLING WITH SAM was second-over but gapped a bit, best of the rest. TAIL HOOK was between horses until going in third at the ¼, also gapped a little when the speed sharpened down the back, OK. TREVOR ONE was third-over, moved three-wide but couldn’t gain enough in the fast back half. THE OTHER TWO were never factors.
ELEVENTH RACE – ATTENTION HANOVER went out quickly and got in front, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and gradually got by GRANT ME THIS. The latter was looped and went to the top at the ¼, set the pace with hard pressure, didn’t miss by much. ALEXIS FAITH got a good forward spot, then went first-over 3/8 to avoid being trapped by parked horses, grinded right up and battled bitterly with the pacesetter, held her ground very gamely. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N pulled at the quarter and was third-over, three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide with cover, was still going nicely at the end. A CRAFTY LADY and CLEAR IDEA stayed in, and both had pace once clear. JUSLIKEAQUEEN couldn’t get into the action. NORTHERN SWIFT fell back. JEWELS FORREAL was four-wide to the 1/8 and three-wide much of the ¼ before taking back, got cover 3/8 but was starting to gap before the 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – BEN ROCKIN yielded for the two-hole, outbrushed the favorite into the 28 final quarter, another 5-bagger for Anthony Nap. WARRAWEE VELOCE went right to the top, rated the half, didn’t get much pressure, just barely held second. STOP ACTION was tight on cover second-over, wide headstretch, finished very nicely to almost get the deuce. CENTURY ENFORCER sat in, evenly. GOLD STAR YODER was third-over, gapped down the back, never prominent. REDDING HANOVER spotted, then started first-over just before the half, might have gotten even to the leader’s wheel on the turn before fading some. LIVE LUCKY gapped a bit inside down the back, then was in tight in the drive to the wire. DIVISION BELL never surfaced.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PEMBROKE YOYO made the lead, had a big edge after the horse he was putting in the pocket broke, rated quarter two, had a foe on both sides through the lane and held gamely. CELEBRITY MIRACLE may have had to check slightly 3/16 as the horse taking the pocket right in front of him broke, gradually tightened in, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss by much. KYRIE DEO moved out 11/16 and went up to challenge, fell back a little early stretch but then was resurgent. STORM PARTY gapped ¾. LAZER JET stayed in, showed some trot near the line. WINNING GENE was the first to move but never gained very much. KRENTLER HANOVER gapped at a couple of points, broke headstretch. SIR CROMWELL was three-wide to the 1/8, was settling in second 3/16 but broke.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CASIE’S BELIEVER was urged leaving, got a forward spot, came again 3/8, had the lead before the 5/8 but couldn’t clear despite encouragement until the ¾, then was home safely. YES DOUBLE DOWN had a good second-over trip the third quarter, then was left raw, stayed on for second. FAITHFUL DESIRE was fourth-over behind gapping cover, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide ¾, did well. MOVE OVER SIS made two speed moves then came under immediate attack by the winner, surrendered ¾ but didn’t fade badly. DEUCES FOR CHARITY made up some ground for the last check. GALARINA did not factor. PASSPORT HANOVER was three-wide to the lead, had brief cover then went up to the lead off the first turn, yielded, struggling later in the backstretch. CHECK MACH didn’t surface. ASK QUEENIE gapped badly third-over.
Oct 8, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ROYAL HEART was three-wide well past the 1/8, tucked fourth, out behind cover to the half, three-wide 5/8 to uncovered before the ¾, kept grinding, proved the best in the opener. KEYSTONE STEAM was able to advance up the inside, used the Pocono Pike to procure second. JUST N ACE left well from the rail and pushed a foe past the 3/8 before surrendering the lead, backed out behind the winner on the far turn, did OK. JEREMES GENERAL was between horses early, needed to the 3/8 to obtain command, then had no rest at all from two different opponents, tired after a hard mile. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN swung wide and finished well to get the last check. SPANISH ART was three-wide with cover on the turn when his cover broke, never got into the late picture. MAYFIELD DUKE was behind the winner but couldn’t match his three-wide move and was left three-deep, broke far turn. WORD BLAST stayed close during the early battle, moved out before the half but couldn’t go by, was looped late on the backstretch and fell way back.
SECOND RACE – LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND made the top past the 1/8, saw two coming at the ¼ and pushed the first one before yielding, edged out of third midturn then went back in as the pocketsitter pulled, gradually wore down the pacesetter HASHTAGMADEYALOOK. The latter came out at the ¼ with cover, left uncovered past the 3/8 and made the point by the half, just failed to hold in a good outing. BELLA AVA spotted third then was quarter-mover #1 but was kept out past the 3/8, yielded at the half for the two-hole, pulled from same towards late turn, not enough. MYSTICAL WYNN pulled out raw from sixth down the back, gained little by little, ducked inside the show horse in the lane and finished well. MIGHTY SURF yielded, sat in, not a late factor. TOUR DE LINDY was second-over in a nonadvancing “flow,” fair late. THE OTHER THREE did not make their presence felt.
THIRD RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT started uncovered at the half and relentlessly grinded up, got by pacesetter MACHEASY A within the last 30 yards, impressive. The latter tucked third past the 1/8 then came again 3/8 and made the lead before a fast half, had the winner pace up to him to the ¾, just missed keeping that one at bay in a fast mile. DREAMS BEACHBOY made two speed moves then yielded for the pocket towards turn two, stayed connected, but could not gain in the Pocono Pike late. WAR-N-MUNN was in front at the 1/8 in a fast opener, saw two go by in quarter two, not enough late. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N stayed in, had a little in the Pike late well off the front ones. MY DELIGHT was hampered by dull cover. RANGERS SURESHOT was also near the back the whole way. VORACITY would have had good cover if he could have kept with it past the 9/16.
FOURTH RACE – LETS ROLL got into the outside flow, left uncovered ¾, worked his way past a tough FATHER SARDUCCI. The latter was three-wide towards the 1/8 to the lead, yielded to a quarter-mover, moved again raw at the half and worked to get past the new pacesetter ¾, hung in there very gamely. OUR ZAK WHITBY A joined the two-wide tier, gapped slightly on the far turn, finished OK. IN SPADES was shuffled to last, went four-wide and stormed home. THE FIRST STEP was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide, briefly had cover then raw again and persisted up to get the front going to the half, was pressured down the backstretch and let a foe go, tried yet again in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain after very hard usage. ROCKNTOUCH was in the two-wide flow but far back, wide, OK. DECLAN SEELSTER left between horses and took third 3/16, stayed in, never had a clear path through the stretch. CLASS SIX made the front, yielded, made a quarter-move but was strung out until past the 3/8 to get on top, yielded at the half, couldn’t return to the main picture.
FIFTH RACE – LACHIE MAGUIRE N was hustled away for early command and yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp response to overhaul DAAMERICANSKY. The latter was between horses early and on to the lead past the 1/8, set the pace pretty much as he liked, couldn’t hold off the pocket rocket but beat out the others. BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide early then took back to tuck third, went to the deep Pike and came home nicely. BARBADOS started on the grind early second turn, never was closer to the lead than at the finish. REAL LUCKY N sat in, angled wide early stretch but had a little bit too much ground to make up. WESTERN TYRANT was never prominent. BELL I NO moved early and got cover, but got rough 5/8 and gapped out.
SIXTH RACE – ARCHIBALD dove in early behind the pacesetter and followed him throughout, another Pocono Pike pocket rocket. DYNAMIC EDGE left dynamically and was quickly on top, slowed the middle half with no challengers until approaching the ¾, did well but had to settle for second. WINNERESS moved outside from fourth midturn, wide in the lane, found his best gear a trifle too late. SMOOTH ACCELERATION avoided the stagnant outer non-flow, came on OK up the inside in the lane. KEYSTONE SERGEANT tucked third, edged out 3/16 but decided to stay where he was, came out raw11/16, OK. ANDOVERS TOUCH was no factor. I GOT THE LOOKS was behind the cover of ROSE RUN RUDI, which never advanced beyond midpack, went three-wide past the 11/16 but couldn’t circle up. LAKEVIEW TAMMY was not heard from.
SEVENTH RACE – BURNING MIDNIGHT was away second, quarter-moved in front of the grinding parked horse and set the pace, able to draw off late. WILD BILL sat in, blocked midturn then scooted up the inside with clearance and just did get second over WHATS INTHE ESKY A. The latter won another “Courage After A Bad Trip” prize: four-wide early, then to two-wide, briefly had the winner’s cover then out in the air the duration, fought on and just missed the deuce. SHOREVIEW scampered to the top, yielded to the winner, came up empty late. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N sat in, angled out and wide late turn, didn’t make up ground. THE NEXT TWO never entered the picture. DOO WOP HANOVER had grinding cover, gapped ¾; BLAYDE HANOVER gapped that one’s cover.
EIGHTH RACE – BROADWAY ATHENA didn’t go outside from midpack until past the 5/8, got cover to the far turn, had a tough task to collar a loose leader but finished strongly and got the job done. PAT MATTERS was away third then quarter-moved, opened up distance ¾ which she retained to near midstretch, but then tired and couldn’t resist the winner. THE LIONKING AS was on top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up on the turn, but gained back some inside late. JOEY PRO was outside, finished with high-energy trot after kicking in far too late. CRAZYCAT was not prominent. FILLED DONUT was the first to show, relinquished, moved out of third early on the turn but came up very vanilla in the stretch. THE OTHER TWO did not enter the race dynamic.
NINTH RACE – After being away 30 days, EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY was between horses to an early tuck, was flushed out 3/8 and started on the grind, had a semi-breakaway with the pacesetter far turn, then stayed at it powerfully (last quarter 27.3) in a big race. GOES DOWN SMOOTH was already underway from last just past the ¼ and got the winner’s cover, followed it but then gapped it far turn, refound a higher gear and was a good second. MY LINDY WINNER was sixth when decided to go frontward past the 1/8 as holes were shutting, pressed on to the front near the 3/8, got a soft middle half then raced head-to-head with the winner around the far turn, couldn’t sprint enough. NO DRAMA PLEASE was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-high to the ¼ to the lead, yielded to the 3/8, had trouble at times keeping the pocket tight, Pocono Pike, OK. MARION GONDOLIER backed out to race third-over, didn’t enter the main picture; nor did TRUEMASS VOLO behind him. CONSUS VICTORY left well, yielded at the ¼, not heard from thereafter. NEED LUCK N was not in the picture.
TENTH RACE – No one not named “Napolitano” won in the last five races … JOESSTAR OF MIA A went out between horses and got in third, came uncovered off turn two but couldn’t reach the leader in the fast third quarter, but kept digging resolutely and took the top prize very late. ROCK THE DEVIL was fifth outside past the 1/8 when, with no holes, he decided to press on, cover to the ¼ then to the lead before the 3/8, opened some daylight with a 27.1 third quarter, but couldn’t make the lead last. WESTERN FAME gapped his cover down the back in a fast split, then was gaining late. CASUAL COOL left and yielded 3/16, inside, narrowed in some in the Pocono Pike. HEAVEN’S GAIT was far back inside, angled out a notch early stretch, never did find a clear path. ROCK CANDY came wide off of cover with good late speed. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the top 3/16, yielded to the 3/8, couldn’t stay with the pacesetter but still went on and lost by only two lengths. ROCKAPELO raced last in a tight field, finished last but by less than three lengths.
ELEVENTH RACE – STICK WITH CRAMER spotted fourth well behind the early duelers, came out in tight quarters 5/8 then moved three-wide ¾ and circled the field, drew away. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was parked most of that 25.4 hot opener before taking the two-hole, then was blocked on the far turn as the pacesetter tired, got clear in the Pocono Pike and had a very good response late to grab second from BEACH PRO. The latter grinded up first-over, no match for the winner, almost held place. TODDLER TANTRUM was second-over but wasn’t right on his cover, three-wide past the 5/8 then wider on the far turn to three-wide late turn, flattened a little. A J MORELLI was not away well and didn’t get in the hunt. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN was near the back throughout. XPERT BAYAMA did not want anything but to cut the pace, went 25.4 to the ¼ to force a tuck, had the field come to him on the turn and tired the last 3/16. POKERFACE BLUECHIP was in a blindswitch on the turn, got in tight quarters and made a break.
TWELFTH RACE – ROCK THE TOWN used the pole to maximum advantage early, then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and gradually wore down BLOOD LINE for ANap’s fifth. The latter quarter-moved, set the pace including a 27 third quarter, fought hard but could not hold off the winner. K RYAN BLUECHIP sat behind the top two from the half and did well late. BRANQUINHO originally was third-over but ducked back in, evenly late. BENSON BOYS N took the pocket 3/16, then came raw at the half and attacked, pacing his own third split in 26.3, couldn’t sustain his move. TWIN B TUFFENUFF was second-over, three-wide past midturn, didn’t reach. DEALT A WINNER didn’t get a good start, sat last, had to fan widest, had an impossible task from where he was.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JOHNNY Q left and yielded, soon retook, set the pace with pressure, got some separation early stretch and was again impressive, giving trainer Darren Taneyhill four wins on the day. MAJOR DECEPTION was second-over 3/8, gapped some behind the front battlers down the back, then closer and three-wide far turn, came home well. LUCAN HANOVER sat in, to the deep Pocono Pike and with pace late. ALWAYS THE SUN was three-wide to the 3/16 and then on by to command, yielded to the winner for the pocket, didn’t have enough to be a danger late. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was third-over and three-wide with cover on the turn, not bad. WAGON MASTER raced inside, did not appear to have stretch clearance. BRANDON HANOVER was last much of the way, also may have been in tight quarters approaching the line. SOMETIMESAWINNER left between horses, reluctantly settled in third, then came raw 3/8 and fought with the leader, couldn’t sustain the last 3/16. CHEYENNE JEFFREY was near the back throughout.
FOURTEENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN quarter-moved from third, came home in 54.3 – 27.1 and no one could match that speed and gain enough, giving George five wins. OUR CORELLI N left very alertly to get early command, yielded, outside in the stretch, didn’t gain but only lost a little. STONE HANOVER was second-over 3/8, three-wide past the 5/8 when cover stalled, back to two-wide and did very well in the stretch (his own last half in 54). LAKE CHARLES was four-wide early, circled up and got into the pocket 3/16, not enough along the inside. FABRICE HANOVER was far back, worked clear in the stretch and finished well belatedly. LYING IN CASH and I’M BENICIO A (who didn’t get inside until the 3/16) never factored. STORMONT CZAR A moved raw 3/8 but had stopped gaining by the 5/8. BAY MEADOWS tried to follow the backstretch sweeper but didn’t keep up.
Oct 5, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
FIRST RACE – ALEXIS FAITH insisted on the early lead in 26.2, set the pace, resisted the first-over, then held off JUSLIKEAQUEEN trying her up the Pocono Pike. The latter reluctantly took back to the two-hole approaching the ¼, came up the inside in the lane, didn’t miss by much. PERSISTENT BETTOR gapped a gapper down the back then moved out on the turn, moved wide in the lane and was along for third. DISTURBED HANOVER improved position early then gapped the top two from the 1/8 to the 9/16, got in gear and attacked raw, drifted out through the last 1/8 while losing ground. AMATEUR HANOVER had trouble keeping up the last half. ASHTINI was wide trying to go around nonadvancing horses but didn’t go much herself. YES DOUBLE DOWN was outside with little. NORTHERN SWIFT was far back.
SECOND RACE – JOEY PRO started his grind at the half, went 28 with a newly-developed wind aiding him, kept to his task and caught ZOOMING. The latter came quickly from fourth off the first turn, made the lead, held very gamely. TRIXAR backed off to take the pocket at the ¼, backed out to second-over 11/16, shifted back inside for the stretch, did well but was a step behind the top two. MIGHTY SURF was looped and three-wide to the 1/8 to a 3-tuck 3/16, stayed semi-connected down the back, outside on the turn, a bit of kick late. ALEXANDRIA HANOVER had to go three-wide around dull cover ¾, finished well. DYNAMIC EDGE left from the rail and forced a tuck, yielded to the frontstretch brusher, unplugged gradually in the last ¼. BRUTAL STORM was not heard from. SHOW ME THE MAGIC was outside 3/8 looking for cover, found it at the half but then couldn’t keep up with it. CRITICAL MASS trailed.
THIRD RACE – BRING ME DIAMONDS let a horse go early then quarter-moved, was in charge thereafter. ISLAY N outleft everybody to early command, yielded for the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike, held evenly. TRAFFIC JAM sat in, outside in the lane but little gain. RHYME N ROLL sat in and was shuffled, had to go four-wide midturn, had steady kick on the end of it. INDY ROSE was second-over, three-wide past the 5/8 but went at one speed, far ahead of the other two – ROCK N ROLL BABE, who was uncovered 3/8 but never got very close, and SWEET MARTHA LOU, who really fell back in the last quarter.
FOURTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE angled down to fifth past the 1/8, then started uncovered 3/8, came her last half in 55.2 raw, challenged the leader, drifted slightly wide nearing headstretch but still drew away, big mile. SOLAR went on to 3/16 command, under attack by the winner, yielded and just did save second. CELEBRITY MIRACLE was the first to show, yielded 3/16 for the pocket and stayed fairly tight behind the two battlers, to the Pocono Pike and made up ground. SWIPE RIGHT was a distant best of the rest. WINNING GENE got the last check. KRENTLER HANOVER looked to be having trouble keeping up most of the way. DEW CAN DEW moved outside nearing turn two but broke. BABY MAKER HANOVER tried to come on on the far turn but also misbehaved.
FIFTH RACE – SOMETIMESAWINNER set the pace and had too much speed for these, taking an open lead 5/8 and remaining unthreatened to the wire. TRENTE DEO slid in fourth at the 1/8, only got going again late backstretch, three-wide on the turn, clear second here. VODKA ON THE BEACH spotted then left a big hole on the first turn, closed it, moved out far turn, along late for a very distant third. GARRETT’S GUIDE came out of the three-hole ¾ but didn’t gain, came back with “b.e.” WEEKEND ATNANNIES stayed inside, got the last check. CLASSIC GENT got bottomed out trying to stay close to the leader, faded 5/8. DULL ROAR and ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR never factored. FIREWATER JAKE broke early.
SIXTH RACE – ANDOVERS TOUCH made the lead at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket and stayed close, came out headstretch and had by far the most late. HANOVERS BEST was looped and three-wide, decided to press on and went up two-wide to the front 5/16, no match for the winner. ARUBA VACATION was forwardly-placed, gapped on the far turn, held evenly. BIG BILL BREEZE came out going to turn two, got cover but was soon gapping it. CAN DO took back early and was never again heard from. BOB N TONY never surfaced. HOLY KOLY gapped. CHAPTER FASHION moved raw at the half and made a solid third quarter bid, started to tire ¾ and then jumped it off.
SEVENTH RACE – VH PRINCESS BREA was looped early, went on to get the lead past the 5/16 then slowed down the tempo in quarter two, met a stiff first-over challenge, came out of the far turn a bit wide, but held off the inside thrust of MOVE OVER SIS. The latter was second-over, ducked in, almost got to the winner via the inner route. CASIE’S BELIEVER left and yielded early, came back raw past the 3/8 and grinded very hard, tried nicely to the line. WOODMERE OLEKSIAK was in the good outer flow, not quite in the company of the top three. ASK QUEENIE was shuffled when the pocketsitter backed up far turn then moved out but didn’t make much progress. GOLDSTAR ROCKETTE went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, then was badly backed up behind the fading two-holer. ELLA IS AWESOME made no impact. ROCK N ROLL ROSIE went out to command at the 26.3 quarter, yielded to the winner, ran out of gas to the ¾ and gummed up the inner tier.
EIGHTH RACE – FASHIONWOODCHOPPER was quarter-mover #2 to the lead past the 3/8, ran away and hid from these in the last ¼ in fast time for bottom-level trotters. KAREN HANOVER made two speed moves then yielded to the winner, not in his league the last quarter but good for second. FREDDIE MAC spotted, moved raw 5/8, gained a little into the turn, did take a four-way photo for third. CELEBRITY SERENA was second-over but gapped, went along evenly. CELEBRITY LOVER had trouble keeping tight at several points in the mile. KREDIT KARMA made the lead nearing the 1/8, yielded to two in front of the stands, nothing left for the last ¼. THE THREE OTHERS couldn’t make a dent in this very fast mile.
NINTH RACE – LOOKATMYART started uncovered early on turn two and reached the leader by the 5/8, gradually edged up on that one putting pressure on her, continued her grind and got the nod in a blanket finish. MADDELLE quarter-moved, rated the pace then picked it up, was in a big battle with the winner before the ¾ through the turn and all the way to the line, when others joined them, just missed. WINNING WORDS was looped early and went up two-wide to 5/16 command, yielded to sit in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not far away at all. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD was second-over, gapped her cover a bit, then found her best strides 50 yards out. TALK SHOW CHICA quickly looped the field, yielded, stayed third-in, to the deep Pike, likely never to have had full clearance the way she was handled. DEE DEE KAY backed out to third-over, not far off after going widest in the lane. ROCK STAR MELINDA was outleft and four-wide heading to turn one when making a break.
TENTH RACE – Another bunched field at the wire, and another upsetter … VORST gapped slightly second-over all the way to the stretch, went wide, still fifth past midstretch but went on doggedly and was most photogenic. ECLIPSE ME N improved early position, then was first-up and fought with the winner with her own third quarter in 26.4, never appeared to be ahead but never stopped trying to the line. CAVIART CHERIE made the lead 3/16 then yielded to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, looked to gain a slight advantage midstretch, couldn’t sustain it to the wire. PAMMY JO was third-over slightly off cover, four-wide stretch and narrowed in belatedly. JUXTA COWGIRL stayed in third, to the deep Pike and also may have been in very tight quarters nearing the line. ITS MESMERISE N made two speed moves, fought with the first-over in a hard third quarter, held the lead to midstretch, missed a length – and earned $0. FIRSTUP didn’t have quite enough from far back. SHECANDANCE N looked to take a bad step at the 1/8 and broke, was eventually pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – NICHOLAS BEACH dashed right to the lead and was all alone much of the first turn, set reasonable fractions based on his form, drew clear on the turn, then gave ground to TITO ROCKS late and just held on – not under frantic urging, but not as impressive in his last two as before. The latter defended the pocket, closed the early gap, got in gear nearing headstretch and came home strongly to scare the backers of the 1-20 winner. BILLY LINCOLN N stayed in, clear distant third. JAHAN HANOVER and HURRIKANEKINGJAMES got checks after staying in. KEYSTONE DASH took back to third early, moved out 5/8, really fell back the last quarter, as did the second-over horse AMERIORE.
TWELFTH RACE – THE LIONKING AS made the lead into turn one, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and quickly overhauled the pacesetter, then held off the late thrust of KATKIN AND COKE. The latter stayed in and closed a small gap down the back, inside, didn’t come clear until just past midstretch then made up ground quickly. LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND got the pocket early, stayed on until sharply angling three-wide late on the turn, looked a little hard to steer early stretch then commenced to drift out but kept gaining. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was looped early, tucked third 3/16, then brushed to the lead in front of the stands, couldn’t hang on to the advantage. MORAIRTIME came first-up on turn two, never seemed to pose a major threat but kept at her job. UNCLE HANOVER never entered the main picture. SPECTRE gapped second-over. I GOT THE LOOKS started on the move near the half but broke.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE pushed out early and retained the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and along nicely. GRANT ME THIS was three-wide to the 1/8, went on to the front 3/16 and set all the pace, held well for a 27-1 shot. BLACKWELL RUBY IR sat in in last and advanced up the inside down the back, not enough kick in the latter stages. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N came out at the half and got cover, was blindswitched ¾ and ducked in headstretch, not all that much late. ATTENTION HANOVER went third-over, tired to make a circling move ¾ but didn’t gain. WESTERN SECRET A backed off early, had her hand forced past the half and went first-up, tired ¾.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TREVOR ONE went up between horses to get the lead past mid-first turn, yielded off the first bend for the pocket, elected to wait for outside room in the lane, got the room past early stretch, and quickly built up enough steam to catch WARRAWEE VELOCE late. The latter was three-wide 3/16 then on to get the lead coming off the first bend, just failed to hold in the sprint home. DIVISION BELL left well, pushed early and yielded, stayed connected, came clear when the winner moved out and finished solidly. LIVE LUCKY finished well widest. BEN ROCKIN was in a blindswitch from before the ¾ until past early stretch, couldn’t build up momentum quickly enough once clear. A BETTOR BEACH went first-over going to turn two, was moving up to challenge 5/8 when making a break, caught quickly but was left out three-wide, couldn’t reenter contention. GOLD STAR YODER found an early spot, then did not factor. STOP ACTION was second-over, left first-over when his cover broke 5/8, went up, but then had little in the stretch.
Oct 1, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
FIRST RACE – Some rain before the card on an overcast day but the track was officially called “fast” throughout the card even though a mist developed midcard. … MY LINDY WINNER finally went outside 5/8 and finally got wanted cover 11/16, but lost it to a break midturn, found better strides midstretch and was along late. FILLED DONUT made the front quickly and rolled right along, just failed to hold late. MARION GONDOLIER left and got the two-hole, outside headstretch, evenly. CONSUS VICTORY sat in, gained some between horses late. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT also stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, not enough. CRAZYCAT broke early, caught the field, but didn’t do more. LORD CROMWELL gapped early, was waited on by the winner and finally came out 11/16, gained some before making a break midturn.
SECOND RACE – JOHNNY Q was three-wide before the 3/16 then followed cover all the way until it cleared to the lead far turn, then raw, kept on going in an amazing victory. WHATS INTHE ESKY A is one of a handful of horses that in the last 50 years this correspondent has seen getting a “1o 1o 1o” call while battling with the inside leader (and the pace was hot), actually crossed over mid-far turn, held for second in an equally-amazing race. KEYSTONE STEAM joined the parked horses 5/8, three-wide midturn, good to be third. MAYFIELD DUKE dove inside past the 1/8 and wound up defending the pocket, outside in a blindswitch later on the turn behind the winner, had some late pace. LOUD SPLASH left a gap behind the battling four almost to the 11/16, Pocono Pike, so-so. RAZOR’S EDGE was in the outside flow, four-wide late turn, couldn’t reach. DOJEA SOLO and BEACH PRO were always in the back. WISE IMAGE left from the rail and kept the challenger parked, was the one who caved in midturn.
THIRD RACE – OUR CORELLI N left and got the top right away, forced a tuck, rated the half, then came home in 54.2 to hold safe his only challenger, VIRGIN STORM. The latter wanted the lead but accepted the pocket past the 1/8, tried the winner up the inside and did well but was second-best today. JEREMES GENERAL sat in, had to wait for the Pike as trapped in, but only had a mild response once clear and just did get third. REDBANK BLAZE A gapped at points the first half then gapped the top two the rest of the mile by a bigger margin. MAJOR OFFENSE moved uncovered before turn two, couldn’t get by the gapping 3-holer. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A and TULLOW N had dull cover; GINGER TREE MARTY and DAKOTA JACK stayed inside and never entered the picture.
FOURTH RACE – SPANISH ART got in the cover flow early and was third-over, stayed in the two-wide/blindswitched lane on the turn then angled wide when the sweeper flattened, had good pace late to explode the board at $191.40. ALEX TYE was flushed outside 5/16 as horses came up on him, reached the leader by the half and battled with that one the rest of the way, finally took the outright lead midstretch but was caught by the horse who wound up on his back. XPERT BAYAMA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the quarter for the lead, set the pace with solid pressure, held decently. IYQ YQR maintained the pocket early, gapped slightly as the pace picked up down the back, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, OK+ once clear. TODDLER TANTRUM backed out to fourth-over, had to go four-wide midturn as the three-wide flattened, not bad. FERNADO moved at the ¼ and soon secured second-over, three-wide from the 11/16 but really only served to clog that tier. POKERFACE BLUECHIP was blocked inside but didn’t seem to have much late. BETTER B ROLLING was shuffled, moved wide but showed little.
FIFTH RACE – BELLOWS BINGE was pushed to the 3/16 in a 26 quarter for the lead, yielded and sat the pocket, came out early stretch and caught DAAMERICANSKY. The latter was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the fast quarter, slowed the half then took off again, couldn’t stall the pocket rocket. BARBADOS sat in, looked to be edging out midturn but ducked back inside, OK late. LACHIE MAGUIRE N kept the top two out a long way in the lightning opener before yielding, moved raw 11/16, couldn’t gain but didn’t lose too much. BELL I NO took back to last, moved out 5/8 but looked rough and fell back.
SIXTH RACE – OUR ZAK WHITBY A moved around dull cover from far back ¾ and gained three-wide through the turn, kept on coming and did make it past MY DELIGHT at the end. The latter tucked fifth 1/8, moved outside into turn two and came boiling off that curve, pacing a 26.4 third quarter while easily going by 5/8, couldn’t quite make the lead last. SUMMER SIDE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the pocket 3/16, backed out to two-wide 5/8 as that was the lively tier, couldn’t go with the speed of that path but kept on coming steadily, flattening only in deep stretch. BRUCE’S MAGIC tucked at the 1/8, was badly shuffled, out in a blindswitch far turn but still blindswitched, finally found room wide upper stretch and passed quite a few horses. THISBEACHRGHTHEREA moved behind the place horse and had the speed to race up into the pocket behind him ¾, but then faded. ROCK ON PRECIOUS never surfaced on the major radar. DOO WOP HANOVER moved out but gapped and was blindswitched by the winner. MCBOOGITTY was sent to the top in 26.2, pushed the quarter-mover before yielding past the 3/8, then was badly shuffled after that one was passed. JOE MCDUDE quarter-moved but was out almost the length of the frontstretch to clear, gave way when challenged 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – A misty rain began to fall, but the track as noted would stay “fast” the rest of the card … TRUEMASS VOLO quarter-moved and easily made the lead, rated the half then stepped it up to meet the hard challenge of the first-over, maintained the advantage to the wire despite drifting slightly, with many having him in their sights. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was looped and three-wide to the 1/8 onward to command before the ¼, yielded for the pocket, backed out ¾ when the first-up put a head up, swung wide into the stretch and even wider through the stretch but kept gaining. MYSTICAL WYNN stayed in and advanced inside on the turn, found a seam upper stretch and finished willingly. INAPERFECTWORLD started raw past the 3/8, went a 27.1 individual third split to bitterly contest the lead, held gamely. ABBIE’S CELTICLASS circled the field early, yielded, to the pocket before the ¾, into the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain. VALLEY OF SIN had nonproductive cover, blindswitched and ducked in, to the deep Pike, may have been in tight. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY tried to circle around nonproductive cover, did gain some from a hard spot. SILVERMASS VOLO was second-over but struggled.
EIGHTH RACE – CHEYENNE JEFFREY left between horses and went to the front just before the 5/16, didn’t get much outside pressure, then dealt with CLASS SIX and won the win photo. The latter was quickly away, yielded for the two-hole, outside in the stretch and another who drifted out but gained while doing so to just fail. WAGON MASTER sat in, went wide in the lane, steadily although not reaching the top two. BRANDON HANOVER and ALWAYS THE SUN parlayed ground saving journeys into the final checks. A REAL MIRACLE was three-wide around a gapper 5/8, flattened in the three-deep tier the last quarter. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N took an early tuck, moved raw to challenge but was ineffective. NEWBIE had an big excess of stale cover. JINS SHARK spotted midpack, then was second-over but had nothing.
NINTH RACE – KEYSTONE SERGEANT went into the pocket 3/16 and had a fine trip, made use of the Pocono Pike and caught FRONT STREET. The latter was the Front Street for this field without too much pressure, couldn’t hold off the winner. UP THE ALLEY protected third early, could wait until near the 11/16 to go uncovered, tired a bit late. PRETTY EDGY was blocked inside, got clearance inside and was next. CATCH THE BOUQUET took back and tucked early, little response in the lane. PENNIMAN started uncovered off the second turn but didn’t get cover until almost the other end of the backstretch, then gapped it. THE OTHERS did not make their presence felt.
TENTH RACE – PRINCE OF TIDES showed gate speed then yielded, was forced out 5/8 by an impatient horse looking for cover, came home in 54.2-27.1 raw to be an impressive winner. ROCKAPELO set the pace with two moves, held on to the lead a long way, just photoed JOESSTAR OF MIA A for place. The latter was three-deep to turn one, briefly had cover then pressed on to the point 5/16, yielded to the retaker, into the Pocono Pike and went on gamely. WESTERN FAME sat in, had no clear path through the stretch. HEAVEN’S GAIT wanted out early backstretch but waited for the winner’s cover, got it 5/8, moved wide for the drive but flattened. BRANQUINHO gapped at the back the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – MUSCLE M UP was kept out three-wide to the 3/8 and cleared shortly thereafter, but that rough early journey proved no detriment as he won under a hold. NO DRAMA PLEASE was actually the first to show but then saw others march forward, moved outside midturn and just took place. GOES DOWN SMOOTH had cover in the two-wide lane very early then went up between horses, got in behind the winner 3/8, photoed for second. CROSSFIT made the lead at the 1/8, kept the wide challengers out most of the next quarter-mile before yielding, stayed connected, was in tight quarters in the stretch and might have been second with more room. NEED LUCK N offered little. JESSIEJESORJESSICA was behind the dull cover of MAGIC VACATION, tried to go three-wide around that one, but neither horse went anywhere.
TWELFTH RACE – STONE HANOVER vacated fourth to the ¾ and immediately went three-wide when the pocketsitter came out after that spot, swept to the lead and was home safely. REPEAL OR REPLACE came out 11/16, followed the winner from the ¾, finished steadily. FABRICE HANOVER was three-wide to turn one then two-wide to the top nearing the ¼, saw two go by in quarter two, raced behind the gapping pocketsitter and was caught in on the far turn, out into a blindswitch, got going after the top two were gone and salvaged third. J M MANDARIN made two speed moves then sat a very loose pocket as the pacesetter sped away, popped out midturn but didn’t have much left. BAY MEADOWS moved 5/16 and went to the top, was clear on the lead from before the half to nearing the ¾ while pacing a 54.1 middle half, was tired when challenged. NUTCRACKER SWEET was no factor; CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was far back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ALLUNEEDISFAITH left, gradually worked into the pocket before the ¼, sat a trip, came out late turn and was strong enough to gradually wear down BENSON BOYS N. The latter quickly made the lead and set the pace, came home in 55.1 and still got caught. DECLAN SEELSTER got early position, eventually did give up the pocket at the ¼ and stayed in, to the Pocono Pike but was outkicked by the top two. LYONS NIGHT HAWK was second-over at the half, three-wide just past the ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. OLLIE’S ZTAM and WEONA SIZZLER A were near the back and were not contenders. STORMONT CZAR A came raw at the half, got a nose up on the pocket horse 5/8 but never any closer, faded the last quarter.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DEALT A WINNER moved in front of the stands and cleared at the half, went clear ¾ and wasn’t threatened late for a six-bagger, by George. LETS ROLL was two-wide almost to the ¼ before working into the early pocket, stayed in, shuffled on the turn then to the Pocono Pike and had a good late response. WARRAWEE UNIQUE tucked early, didn’t hold the early pocket, stayed in and also was blocked, started to edge outside headstretch but found no path so ducked back to the Pike and was along for third. DREAMS BEACHBOY was three-wide past the 1/8, raced into the 4-hole before the ¼, came again raw early backstretch, didn’t reach the leader but held well. WAR-N-MUNN forced everybody in behind with a 26 opener, pushed the winner when he came then yielded at the half, unplugged ¾. THE OTHERS could not enter the main picture.
