May 24, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 68 degrees … SAN DOMINO A was three-wide early, to the front 3/16, sprinted home in 54.2 – 27 to repulse all challenges. MR D’S ROCK maintained the pocket, outside stretch, good although not really threatening. THE WALL kept a hole closed early, inside, didn’t have that much left late. BENJI’S BEST moved uncovered past the half and went up in 26.4 to challenge, but that bid stalled midturn. GET LIT had a good second-over trip, three-wide midturn but couldn’t close into the fast late pace. THE OTHER DUO did not enter the main action.
SECOND RACE – ILBENEEDINSTITCHES sat third until midway on the far turn in the strung-out field, made the lead midstretch then just held off DELICIOUSSTONE DK. The latter left and took the two-hole at the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, took just a little too long to hit high gear and was pictured, ahead a couple of steps past the wire. SEVENTIER headed right down the road at a good clip, held well and was far ahead of the rest. STEALING swung wide and was a distant next in line. MONEY MATTERS was struggling to keep up at several points. WOODSIDE EMILEAH offered little. SORTIE moved uncovered 5/8 but never got close. MISS PRINCIPLE trailed throughout.
THIRD RACE – SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL took the lead past the 1/8, slowed quarter two, then came home in 54.3 – 27.1 while in control. MAKE SOME WAVES went uncovered into the lower turn, grinded up, tucked in the pocket early on the turn, outside into the lane, held his ground. ODDS ON DELRAY backed out to follow cover early backstretch, couldn’t keep with it but at least avoided the breaker, got in third just past midturn, evenly. BETTER THAN SOME gapped off the top two early, stayed in, right behind the breaker and had to squeeze out early turn, went on evenly. SOMBODYITREASURE was pushed three-wide by the breaker, got the last check. HOT DEUCE was offering little when avoiding the breaker. CAVIART LUCA left best of all, yielded for the pocket, struggled to stay tight the third quarter then broke.
FOURTH RACE – Stretch headwind freshening some although never as strong as it often is… I’M BENICIO A sat in the pocket, under a good hold the first half, moved outside in the stretch and showed the most to the finish. URBAN RENEWAL sat third, got to the Pocono Pike, outfinished ELWELL for place. The latter left well to be the pacesetter, went a big third quarter, still ahead two pylons from the finish but was caught by fresher horses. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL gapped a bit second-over then had to check strongly ¾ when his cover broke, inside, never again in a contending spot. LADYFORD DOLLAR GB never featured. BRAVO TEX N gapped inside. KEYSTONE STEAM was uncovered at the half and advanced, started to get rough late backstretch and broke ¾.
FIFTH RACE – TERRITORY showed speed to get forward position, moved off the second turn and went by easily 11/16, opened a big lead, didn’t have a big last quarter but still was well-clear. COWBOY COOL was caught in in last, finally found room to angle between horses to midstretch and came on well as the pace slowed to just get second. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was behind dull cover, three-wide far turn, got to second past midstretch, was just edged for the deuce. PLAY THE FIELD was four-wide early and three-wide 3/16 to get the lead in a hot number, yielded to a challenger and sat the pocket, shuffled as the old leader fell back far turn, decent inside in recovery. WON LAST FEELING tucked, checked behind the 3/16 breaker, moved with cover down the back but never could stay with it, raw before the ¾, not too much late. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was looped early, never accepted the pocket and brushed to 3/8 command, was easily passed 11/16 and faded backing up some horses. CAVIART VAL was away last from the rail, lost touch. MUSICAL BOX took back to tuck, jumped 3/16.
SIXTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the 3/16 to the lead, had hard pressure from nearing the half on but held resolutely as foes were coming from everywhere. SHARE THE WEALTH got a spot, then had great cover second-over, three-wide past midturn, steady finish. DANDY was uncovered before the 3/8 and went on in one-gear grind mode, tenacious as usual but not enough today. MISS MCKEE yielded for the pocket, gapped a bit on the turn but found some renewed energy in the Pocono Pike. SPICY NUGGET was between horses early and tucked third, backed out third-over 11/16, went between horses in the lane and was in very tight quarters with trot at the wire. BLENHEIM was not prominent. WARRIOR WAY disconnected the last half.
SEVENTH RACE – MODERN ROCK tucked fourth behind a three-way early-speed phalanx, started uncovered early in the backstretch and grinded up, took over early stretch then held off the foe on his back, JK OBJECTION. The latter left well and yielded, backed out to second-over 11/16, couldn’t quite catch his cover but well clear of the others. MIDNIGHT DAY stayed in, came out late backstretch but ducked back in, then outside again early stretch and took third. ROLLINWITHAMBITION sat in and was shuffled, angled between horses and with pace once clear. BLOW A CLOUD N was between horses to 3/16 command, yielded off the first turn for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, was third deep stretch but didn’t have much late punch. DING DING DINGER was three-wide past the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead off the first turn, slowed quarter two then sped up, got pressure on the turn, came up empty in the stretch. A FEARSOME HANOVER was outside but devoid of any zip today. ATLANTIS never featured.
EIGHTH RACE – COLLEGE TUITION hung a rival in a 26.3 opener before that one broke, then drastically slowed down on the lead with the second quarter 4 4/5 seconds slower than the first and a foe running up on him, sped up down the back and held a clear lead, enough to cross the wire first; an inquiry revealed that the considerable slowing of the pace caused a jam-up and interference to the 3/8 breaker, and COLLEGE TUITION was placed last. BETTERINPINEHURST inherited second after the 3/8 incident, sat in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and narrowed in, then was placed first. CANTSTOP YANKEE wound up third, outside far turn, not quite enough late. TORRONE went uncovered into turn two, retucked in the fast third quarter, was coming on late between horses and just missed 3pl2. SAID AND DONE AS didn’t have much late. FRANK THE ELDER left but then took all the way back to last, gapped the last ¼. BRIGHT SIDE UP was in a dogfight for the lead when breaking at the ¼, regained stride but couldn’t regain contention, then broke again. ZETTE FLAME was three-wide behind the top two at the 1/8 and tucked third, which became second after the break, was narrowing in on the leader when suddenly coming up on him and couldn’t avoid a jam-up resulting in a break 3/8.
NINTH RACE – RIP WHEELER was wide early and got the top 3/16 in a 26 opener, got a small rest in quarter two then sped up to resist the first-over, won comfortably with twin 27.2s home. LOUKES PERRY defended the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, held OK. HUNTANOVER let between horses and tucked third, uncovered 5/8 and made a big push at the winner that lasted through the far turn, started ceding some ground early stretch. KJ HUNTER stayed inside, looked all-out the last half in the fast mile. OAKWOOD VEGAS IR was on the move 9/16 but gapped cover past the 5/8. JOESSTAR OF MIA A was shuffled to last, finished with a touch of pace on the far outside. MAJOR SHOW gapped cover. YS DO IT RIGHT never entered the picture.
TENTH RACE – ON HIGHER GROUND showed speed, was content to stay third until just past the 5/8 when he pulled to challenge, easily grinded down the leader and went on to a clear victory in 1:51.4, fastest local trotting time of the year. P L NOTSONICE was three-wide to the 1/8 and then to the lead towards the 5/16, couldn’t handle the winner’s challenge but was a clear second. RICH AND MISERABLE was between horses to command just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up far turn. EUROBOND was last, pinned in on the far turn, unwound with good trot inside once free. WARRIOR ONE took back early and was never prominent. KINDA LUCKY LINDY moved outside but made no impact.
ELEVENTH RACE – LUCKBEWITHALEX was underway from fourth 3/16 and wound up quarter-mover #2, went onward to the lead just past the 3/8, fought off a big backstretch challenge, then had DA DELIGHTFUL challenge to his inside; those two were “in Thunderdome” the last 1/16, with the winner courageous to record his fourth mile in 1:50 or less here by May 20. The latter left and yielded, quarter-moved in front of the winner and yielded again, sat tight, challenged inside head-to-head late, gave a very good showing. JACK’S LEGEND N was three-deep to the 1/8 and went on to the top, saw two go by in quarter two, shuffled a bit, outside before midstretch and surged very nicely late. CAPTAIN COOL tucked between horses at the 1/8, shuffled to fourth-in, won a three-way photo for the 8%. SPORT SECRET was third-over, three-wide midturn, had late pace from a rough spot. ODDS ON OSIRIS came off turn two uncovered and in high gear, flashed 26.1 speed to challenge, but flattened on the turn. ROCK THE DEVIL never featured.
TWELFTH RACE – SENNA left well and forced a tuck, yielded for the pocket, outside to headstretch and went by AGGIORNAMENTO confidently. The latter gapped two early speedsters, then moved 5/16 to make the lead before turn two, held well but had to hold for second. SOUTHWIND ARTURO was a gapping last until in gear late backstretch, three-wide far turn, ate up a lot of late ground. BULLY BOY HILL moved outside, had to circle a parked horse to two-wide on the turn, fair late. BEER CHEESE was four-wide early, circled up to two-wide then took the pocket 3/16, inside, kept up OK late. ANGELONIA was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked, started to gap 5/8. HAND DOVER DAN was caught out three-wide of slow-tucking horses early, went on two-wide midpack before fading. ALL CASHED OUT offered little before a late break.
May 22, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm; stretch headwind … GREAT MAGIC left between horses and was looped, had to press on and finally got the lead into turn two, but then opened a big lead in fast fractions, tiring a bit late but still safely clear. MISS MUSCLE tucked fifth, came out from behind gappers and was very good in steadily closing, albeit into a slowing pace. GRAPPLE HANOVER was three-wide past the lead in pursuit of the lead, reluctant to yield but did in breakneck fractions, gapped most of the last half, held third. DIVINE SPIRIT followed the winner and gained important ground. SWIZZLE HANOVER yielded early and then was not heard from again. RED OVERBACH made the lead at the 1/8, yielded 3/16, chased the fast fractions then tried to gain uncovered down the back but was bottomed out. THE LAST TWO were not on the main radar.
SECOND RACE – ZEUS HANOVER protected the early pocket, stayed in and was shuffled a bit then backed out to third-over before the 11/16, four-wide late turn, just up on the money over HURRIKANE JONNYBOY. The latter was underway from fourth nearing the ¼ to take over 3/8, faced pressure on the lead, shook that one off but just failed to keep the winner at bay. HUMAN COCKTAIL was three-wide past the 1/8 to the front at the ¼, yielded to the brusher and stayed tight in the two-hole, outside early stretch, closed but not quite enough. TIDAL SHARK left a gap most of the way, gained inside and was a distant next. ALADDIN HANOVER was second-over advancing, three-wide late turn, came up empty in the stretch. PINK FLOYD HANOVER was between horses early and tucked third, uncovered into turn two and made a long move to go up and battle the pacesetter, paid the price late. THE LAST DUO didn’t do much.
THIRD RACE – THE GOOD BOOK made his way to the lead at the ¼, got pressure from a recovered breaker from the bottom of the second turn until that one broke again early on the far turn, went clear late. PRAIRIE FAMOUS came out 5/8 and gradually made up ground, finished steadily for the deuce. DANCEHALL KING got forward positioning, gapped slightly down the back, came between horses late to be third. TO MY CREDIT hung the winner to the ¼ and yielded, stayed close until not being able to gain any stretch ground inside. MONKS HOOD S was not prominent. FAIR KOUNTRY offered little. SEVEN OVER broke coming off the turn before the start, recovered to the point he was fourth and on the move at the ¼, challenged the winner a long way but then lost gait again at the ¾. ROWDER jumped right at the start.
FOURTH RACE – WILLING HANOVER moved uncovered from fifth into turn two, trotted up in 27.1 to clear to the lead ¾, drew clear in the lane for Matt Kakaley’s 6000th driving victory. HOLY BEING latched onto the winner’s cover and was towed up, left uncovered ¾, continued on well for second. MUSCLE HALL went to command 3/16, backed off quarter two but then did not have enough to keep the winner out ¾, was going keeping up OK behind the winner when breaking midstretch, placed for a double LOB. U BAKE THE CAKE came out third-over 5/8, couldn’t stay with the lively two-wide tier on the turn. LOUS LANCELOT yielded to sit in the two-hole, didn’t have too much in the last quarter. FORREST left and tucked third, started to gap out before the ¾. BAR COINS was wide early, went up to tuck fourth off the first turn, not heard from again.
FIFTH RACE – PACINO HANOVER, just off of the gate, moved early on the second turn, got cover at the half which he lost past the 5/8, went up to challenge the new leader, had an advantage on the turn but couldn’t cross over, still was able to go on to be clear late. GALLIE GETAWAY left, fit into the pocket 3/16, pulled from same at the ½ to take the lead past the 5/8, held the winner out on the turn, good race to be second. KID FROM THE BRONX had fine cover, finished steadily. UPALLNIGHTBLUECHIP had to circle struggling horses from the ¾, finished well. WATCH U R BACK used the pole to remain in control, got a slow Q2 but then yielded the lead past the 5/8, little left for the stretch. TRIFECTA HANOVER got early position, under a hold early, went loose down the backstretch. AIR RIDE was in a good outside flow but couldn’t take advantage. VORACIOUS was not in the picture.
SIXTH RACE – MANDRILL went to the early lead then yielded for the pocket, looked to be being left behind on the turn but got a new life as the leader broke late far turn, redeemed her second chance. MIDWIND SUCCESS came out uncovered 11/16 and did well far ahead of the others. RHIANNON HANOVER sat third, gapped much of the race but still was third. SWEET TACTICS moved outside late backstretch but didn’t threaten. ANOTHER LIKE ME made the lead at the 1/8 and set the pace, had drawn clear on the far turn but made a break late on the bend. BT BABE moved uncovered off turn two but soon was offstride. CRAZY FOR LOVE broke w-a-y before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – TOWN VICTOR left very well to circle a group early, rated the half, had off the inside bid of SYLVESTERAMERICAIT. The latter raced into the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close then went to the Pocono Pike, did well but had to settle for second. SMART AS HILL went three-wide from third-over 11/16, trotted steadily. DART GUY sat third-in, gapped a little at points, so-so late. CRAZYCAT was second-over, was blindswitched 11/16, had to back out widest in the lane and was gaining late. TRUMAN JR HANOVER never featured. LEVITATION was wide early and took back, came uncovered towards turn two, didn’t reach the leader, then gave way.
EIGHTH RACE — CAPTAIN CHESLEY came raw before the 5/8 then got cover 11/16, three-wide late turn, finished with a big surge that got his nose to the wire first. LIKE A WARRIOR rushed up early to get into the pocket just past the 1/8, went to the Pocono Pike, got the lead past midstretch, almost held on. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN left sharply for command, rated the half, didn’t get much pressure, outtrotted late. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT vacated third 11/16, fair. WENTWORTH HANOVER was behind a breaker past the ¼ and never did fully tighten in, evenly. OPTRIX and LOOKINTOGETLUCKY had no say in the outcome of this race. FRANKIE HILL broke coming off turn one.
NINTH RACE – BRAVO ANGEL S went right down the road from the rail, got an insurmountable lead when the pocket horse broke midturn, good maiden win. MELODRAMA sat in, backed out late turn, went wide midstretch and finished the best of the others. DEFACEMENT was uncovered 11/16, got to second in the lane but couldn’t retain the deuce. KT DOUBLE DEUCE started to gap early in the backstretch, not too much. MEADOWBROOK ROSE went into the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close to the winner, was looking for more past the ¾ when she ran. ULURU broke 3/16 and went to the infield. FOXY JOYCE was looped and left on the outside, broke going to the 3/8.
TENTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE stayed connected third-in, up the Pocono Pike to the lead just past midstretch, just held off the late burst of UNRESOLVED DEBT. The latter was the first to move outside 11/16, cover late turn then wide, finished very well in just missing. DIEHARD SEELSTER grabbed the racetrack quickly then pushed a foe most of the ¼ before yielding for the two-hole, outside late turn, not very far off at all. NASEY needed most of the fast ¼ to clear, backed off Q2 then sped up in Q3, came up shy late. NICE STUFF started gapping at the half. CHING CHING LUCKY was offering little before breaking.
ELEVENTH RACE – MALTA MAGIC left between horses, went into third before the 3/16, came again raw 5/8 and grinded up, got to JK A E ONE late. The latter defended the pocket early then quarter-moved, set the pace, couldn’t hold the advantage to the wire. ESPERANZA HANOVER was last, found room between horses early stretch after horses fanned wide late turn, then ducked inside and gained rapidly late. EVERDEEN was second-over, gapped some to the far turn, went three-wide late turn, flattened out. WILD BLUE WONDER was third-over, gapped a gapper, four-wide, little. PRIDEFUL was three-wide early to the top at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, fell back in the stretch. ADULT SWIM started to gap shortly after entering the backstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – MUSHANA was second-over before the 5/8, edged out to three-wide late turn, fought most of the stretch with CAN’T SAY NO before just edging that one out. CAN’T SAY NO had speed, went uncovered 5/8 and challenged the leader, got a short advantage early stretch then was in a long fight with the winner, just shy. LEXUS RANGER yielded for the pocket, shuffled a little late turn waiting for the Pocono Pike, then along for a distant third. SIMON GOT LUCKY was last, went three- and four-wide around the final turn but flattened out early stretch. CREEMORE was inside, didn’t have much late. STICK WITH ME KID was three-wide to the 1/8 then to the top 3/16 in a fast quarter, came under pressure late backstretch, nothing left for the stretch. DAZZLNDASH HANOVER stayed in and never was a factor.
THIRTEENTH RACE – FULL SUPPORT drifted out early, then in gear and up to take over 5/16, got pressure nearing the far turn, shook that one off and stayed clear. ERINWOOD YVES made the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, pulled out late backstretch and challenged hard, not as much as the winner but held onto second. TO THE HUNT yielded early, inside, didn’t go up to get tight in the pocket far turn, fair late. VARNEY gapped at points then better late backstretch, widest and with some pace. DELESTON moved uncovered 9/16, got cover late backstretch but didn’t keep tight on it far turn, fair between horses late. THANOS gapped early, never really a threat. BOSTON BOUND fell far back in the second half.
May 22, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 60s to lower 70s … Stretch headwind … ONE AFTER NINE was four-wide in an early duel, three-wide 3/16 to finally reach the top past that point, easily late in a good time for this class. DEVIOUS PROMISES made the inside third at the 1/8 and stayed there until early stretch, then moved out and went past a tiring CHUCKY DE VIE. The latter was three-wide early then two-wide to the front 3/16, soon yielded for the pocket, stayed close until the last 1/8. TRUEMASS VOLO avoided trouble. MANWILLING was far back, wide stretch, so-so. JUSTIFY left some, moved uncovered just past the 5/8 but never gained; MUSCLES JARED was outside behind that one with little response. NO NAME YANKEE was already leaving a hole before the 3/8.
SECOND RACE – THREE WAYS N started well and controlled the pace, maintained a safe margin as a herd descended upon him late. ADRENALINE RUSH was wide early, then behind cover until tucking fifth, third-over to the half, three-wide 11/16 and let a horse out, widest in the stretch from last and won a five-way photo for second in the money – even better than the line may indicate. MICHAEL’S MONSTER started uncovered at the ½ and challenged, held well. PANTHEON HANOVER was second-over, blindswitched then found clearance and went three-wide, fair late. DJ’S BIG ELVIS moved out ¾ behind a packed outer tier, gapped in a blindswitch on the turn, gained some in the lane behind the winner as the pace slowed. TODDLER TANTRUM went up early, took the pocket 3/16, could go only evenly late. BRIGADOON never entered the picture.
THIRD RACE – SOME KINDA CRAZY sat third until the ¾, then challenged, took the lead, and won handily. SHARP CURVE was in the pocket before the 1/8, a little loose in quarter three, backed out behind the winner far turn, easily second-best. KNIGHTS GUARD went down the road, very little in the last 1/8. JOLLY RANCHER was wide early taking back and didn’t reach the pylons until past the ¼, the out again to get around stragglers, OK. FINEST MOMENT was well off the pace, Pocono Pike and a bit late. FOX HOLE was not particularly bothered by the backstretch breaker but never was able to close the hole on the breakway three. SCOTTY DEO was three-wide leaving, tucked fourth near the ¼, broke early backstretch and went to the centerfield. YO CARTER galloped soon after coming off the turn before the start.
FOURTH RACE – BABY TAKE A VOW was three-high before turn one, took the top at the ¼, set a very moderate pace, still could draw off through the stretch. NINA HANOVER went to the early lead, pushed the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole, not enough for the winner but held second comfortably. EVER HOPEFUL G sat inside and just got third on the money over QUEEN OF THORNTON. The latter came out of third 5/8, advanced a little then backed off. RAVIOLI had a touch of trot wide late. MERCURY LANE was outside down the back, gained on the far turn but then couldn’t sustain. MISS HALL was second-over, bore out late backstretch and broke.
FIFTH RACE – BETTOR’S WESTERN was three-wide early and raced into the pocket 3/16, waited until the top of the stretch, then moved outside and paced past CAVIART SAGE. The latter was quick to command, didn’t come under pressure, second-best. PLAY THE ACE had some speed, then gapped third-in, evenly stretch. INTRIGUED AGAIN moved uncovered just past the half but couldn’t even get past a gapper much less threaten the leader. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING gapped inside. ASTON HILL DAVE got cover, didn’t tip wide, not too much. PACK YOUR BAGS was always far back. MISTER DAYTONA N was very hard to take back and settle inside, fell further back.
SIXTH RACE – HEZA SCOUNDREL went up to grab the front 3/16, set a moderate pace, proved much the best. PAUC HANOVER was right on top, yielded, held second over TOMMY BOY HANOVER. The latter came uncovered past the 5/8 and one-geared up, had trot on the end. F SCOTT’S MUSE avoided trouble. SEMINOLE MOON moved uncovered before the 5/8 then picked up cover, gapped it, ducked inside in the stretch, commenced a run midstretch then went past the wire, placed. FAWN DE SIGN stayed close for ¾ of a mile in third, then tired. STAR HOPPING was a bit off the gate, then broke 3/16.
SEVENTH RACE – HEISONTHEHUNT sat midpack well off the runaway then followed cover late backstretch, swung wide into the stretch and finished well to catch LOOTABLE. The latter was wide leaving pursuing the lead, got it and had an open-length margin through fast fractions, had others coming to him past the ¾, still held with courage to just miss. RUSTY BEACH yielded for the pocket, was loose in it most of the way, Pocono Pike, had a shot, came up just shy. BULLVILLE STEPHANO tucked third, moved outside 5/8 and advanced, flattened a little late. YANKEE CLOUT was far back, found room between horses ¾ and was along for the last payday. SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA started the outer flow, but then couldn’t reach cover and drifted out. MIKI DE VIE showed little. APERITIF was rough-gaited, drifted outside until settling back, nothing to offer this afternoon.
EIGHTH RACE – UNICORN BLUE CHIP obtained the pocket, stayed in past midturn but then found room to move outside early stretch, finished strongly to catch I CANT REFUSE. The latter was on top at the 1/8, slowed quarter two then went faster, held well until deep in the lane. SANTA MONICA AS was connected in third, outside late turn but not nearly as much as the top two. GADOT HANOVER never featured. DIGNITY HANOVER looked at leaving but took back while rank, at least stayed errorless. FLIRTINWITHTHEHELP broke before the ¼, nearly caught the field. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER was looking to leave but broke right at the start.
NINTH RACE – IDEAL ALEXA moved from midpack 3/16 to take the top 5/16, when pushed a foe until releasing that one into turn two, became part of a two-hole breakaway ¾ when the first-over broke, outside stretch and went by easily. HES EXPRESS had the pocket early, moved after the winner cleared and was used to make the front into the clubhouse turn, couldn’t hold on to the advantage late. LURKINGINTHESHADOWS was pushed wide by a breaker at the ¼, moved out ¾ and came home very well. SWEET GADGETS gapped second-over. MY SWEET KATE was just off of the gate, made a break at the ¼, did recover for a check. IVY HANOVER was in front early, saw two go by in quarter two and struggled to keep close to them before fading for good ¾. MIKI B MOUSE got underway uncovered before the 5/8, gained some ground before miscuing ¾.
TENTH RACE – PURPLE LORD was second-over and wide into the lane, appeared to find a higher gear midstretch and caught the favorite at the end. BELLA MACCHIATO, wide early, went on top at the 1/8 and pushed a rival to a fast ¼ before yielding, retook 3/8, fought off the first-over and opened a clear lead upper stretch, but couldn’t sustain her steps to the finish. PORTOFINO used the rail to early advantage, yielded, came out 5/8 to challenge raw, couldn’t sustain the move in the stretch. GRIZZ WYLLIE was last to the ¾, was behind dull cover, ducked between horses early stretch and gained some ground. THE BLACK ACE was third-over but couldn’t quite stay with cover. SINATRA DE VIE was extremely wide in the early landrush and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to get the lead after a fast quarter, yielded 3/8, began fading at the ¾. BUDWEISER GIRL was gapping when breaking far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – MIKITEEN left, took third at the 1/8, then was on the move just before the 1/4 to get the lead before the 3/8, went a good third quarter stringing out most foes, had CAPTAIN UP come out of the pocket past midturn but just paced away from that one. The latter was on the point at the 1/8, let the winner go 3/8 and stayed close, moved out strongly past midturn but was left in the dust late, did hold on to second. CLEVELAND B MIKI gapped down the backstretch, was doing better late. HESTONATOR was away swiftly, yielded, a bit loose off the top two down the back, so-so late while far ahead of the rest. BARNEY HANOVER was out behind dull cover, ducked in on the turn, found room to move two-wide near headstretch, got the last check. GOFORBROKE YANKEE never factored. SOLAR BOLT gapped at the back. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME moved uncovered into turn two but never made any progress.
TWELFTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE was three-wide early, tucked fourth, moved uncovered into the backstretch and just kept grinding away until subduing his foes. PADRE used the inside advantage and took the early lead, finally yielded just past the 3/8 for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and took second. SAY YOU DO was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 3/16, finally got to the lead under the wire the first time, got ever-nearing pressure late backstretch, held pretty well after hard early usage. STEEL SCHOONER was second-over, one-paced. TEDDY BROSEVELT maintained the early pocket, stayed in, not enough the last 3/16. KEYSTONE SERGEANT made a break midstretch while not in contention. UFTON ABBY HANOVER moved third-over 5/8 but never got in the main battle.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE came out 3/8 to circle a gapper, briefly in then to second-over and steadily advanced, three-wide late turn, made the lead midstretch, held off LENWOODS REAL DEAL in an undistinguished last quarter. The latter followed the winner, four-wide in the stretch, found a better gear just a little too late. SPORTSMANSHIP closed a gap to the ¼, uncovered 9/16 and challenged a long way, never had the lead but kept to task well. BOLTMAN gapped throughout, moved wide midstretch to pass the two tiring front-end types. ROCKIN THE BLAZE yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike but had no gain. HES REALLY KEEN hit the front in a fast ¼, set the pace with pressure from late backstretch, nothing left for the latter stages.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HELP PAGE came through at the start, was three-wide to the 1/8, proceeded up to methodically get the lead 3/8, kept on rolling, came home in only 30.1 but that was enough to complete the Buter/Butenschoen dominance of the day. QUITE FAST was on the point at the 1/8, pushed to the 3/8 then yielded for the two-hole, had a chance in the Pocono Pike but had to settle for second. RUFFLES N LACE had early speed and raced close-up, nowhere to go far turn, found room between horses late and was closing in. MISSILE launched a long uncovered bid from early backstretch, held decently. SAINT TRIXIE tucked in fifth, then backed out to second-over 5/8, OK. GUCCI GIRL was shuffled inside, couldn’t make up ground in the lane. SIR FRANK made a break at the ¼; WAVELIKEAQUEEN had to check behind him, then lost contact with the field.
May 22, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 60s to mid 50s throughout the evening … Stretch tailwind … CAPTAIN BATBOY went straight to the front, in control of this field all the way. CAPTAIN ALBERT G had to check when a foe made a break early backstretch, inside until the ¾ then challenged for second as the winner had gotten far away, up for place late. DONT GET SHOCKED sat in the two-hole, stayed close until the 3/4, then couldn’t retain second late. BUILDING BOOST got away third, broke 9/16 moving wide, recovered and was three-wide far turn, had recovery pace; an inquiry to his break sowed no reason for placing. THE OTHERS were not major players here.
SECOND RACE – BENICIO made a nice 27.2 brush against the wind in the backstretch to challenge and then go by midturn, held on for a good victory. TURN ON THE CHARM initially stayed in then backed out third-over 11/16, gapped cover until finding a higher gear late turn, came on nicely late. BLANK CHEEK made the lead then saw a challenger break 3/16, set the pace, briefly clear 5/8 but then joined by the winner, saw that one go by, stayed fighting to the finish. YOUNONOTHINJON was carried up second-over, left uncovered on the far turn, couldn’t sustain the gain. FOX VALLEY CACHET stayed in, shuffled, wide stretch, OK late. NEVERTELLMETHEODDS wound up in the pocket, insufficient pace the last ¼. LEGAL JEOPARDY was moving quickly towards the lead towards the 3/16 when making a break.
THIRD RACE – CRAZYBEAUTYAMAZEME came uncovered from last off the second turn, grinded into contention, then dug in late to amaze the crowd at 30-1. HALLELUJAH HANOVER let the outside leavers go then quarter-moved, didn’t receive much pressure, tried hard but just failed. MORE PLEASE made the lead at the 1/8, forced a tuck, then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, got to even terms nearing deep stretch, just came up a trifle shy. HUNGRY FOR MONEY backed out to second-over ¾, finished steadily. BIRDIE THREE had to back out wide from last, didn’t reach. LADY’S CHOICE K was three-wide to the 1/8, took the early pocket just past the 3/16, stayed third-in, couldn’t offer much late.
FOURTH RACE – YUPPER was quarter-mover #2 and set the pace from the 3/8, game to withstand GOOD DEAL. The latter made two moves (including QM#1) early then yielded for the pocket, found a bit more midstretch and almost got there inside. SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN was raw off turn two, got to the winner’s wheel but not closer, but held on very well. LATE MAIL N was wide to turn one, took over past the 1/8 then send two go by in short order, moved out a lane in the stretch but couldn’t gain. ROCK THREE TIMES was third-over behind a gapper, blindswitched far turn, fair at the end. IM ROCKIN RANDY tried a three-wide move ¾ from fourth-over, also OK late. LUZIANA didn’t show much. SPORTY DRAGON was second-over but couldn’t stay with cover.
FIFTH RACE – CERULEAN HANOVER showed speed, yielded, gapped much of the third quarter then got closer, could use the Pocono Pike and had the sharpest late kick. PARK STREET BLUES was in front at the 1/8, yielded off the first bend for the two-hole, outside stretch, never appeared to be in front, was steady for second. THORN TOAD was wide early then two-wide until obtaining command off the first bend, didn’t get pressure, but couldn’t quite last. BATTLEFIELD did not have helpful cover, next. PAULS BANDIT and DEL MAR DOUG gapped letting the top three get away. I’M A BIG SHOT moved uncovered into the lower turn but made very little progress before backing up.
SIXTH RACE – IDIOSYNCRATIC moved out just past the half, three-wide from the 5/8 grinding, finally got to two-wide past midturn, gradually worked by MAMBA. The latter outrushed the field early, kept a challenger parked through hard fractions, held very durably against the winner. STAY GROUNDED was looped and between horses early, took back to tuck 3/16, nowhere to go third-in from the 5/8 until the Pocono Pike, couldn’t build any quick momentum. CAPTAIN MIKEY used the rail to shut the pocket before the ¼, not too much late. GIRLDAD was looped and three-wide past the 1/8, then left out in the air and battled through hard fractions, did well to get a check. FEEL MY WRATH followed the winner but couldn’t go with him three-deep the last quarter. THE OTHER TWO were never in the main picture.
SEVENTH RACE – MANCLANE got in third, waited until past the ¾ then moved out and trotted right to the lead, big finish. ACTION SHOT came through at the start and took the pocket before the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike and just along for second. CADILLAC MOON took the lead from his inner draw, rated quarter two and still strung the field out, not enough trot late. CUTIECUMBER sat midpack slightly off the top three, finished in a better gear. BINGO BRAIN came out and tried to make up ground but could not. SOUTHWIND DESI offered little; NAJAH offered little and then broke.
EIGHTH RACE – COMMAND went up on a slightly-delayed basis, three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to command at the ¼, set the pace, was besieged on both sides in the lane but held together pacing his last half in 55.1. HUNTERS HERO got good second-over cover and gained behind it, three-wide headstretch, bore out further in the lane but kept gaining to just miss. PANETTONE HANOVER took control early, yielded to the winner and sat close in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, right there. LYONS SPIRIT came 26.4 on a long grind to press the issue, held very well to the wire. JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE spotted, then backed out third-over 11/16, came between horses late and gained, might have been shut off at the wire. ADMIRAL HILL left and took the early pocket at the 1/8, not heard from again. DEMPSEY HANOVER sat in, got to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t threaten. LOUSAIN BOLT had the best view at every call.
NINTH RACE – I LOVE ONGAIT made two speed moves and went right along, opened a clear lead early stretch then had to dig in while coming home in 27.2 to withstand NATASHA. The latter was three-deep to turn one on to the lead before the ¼, yielded for the two hole, came out early stretch, slow to find her highest gear but then narrowing in well once finding it. FRANTASY HANOVER stayed connected third-in late far turn, best of the rest. CLEAR THE WAY went uncovered off turn two, gained but didn’t reach the leaders, evenly late. CATIE FAYE HANOVER sat in, had room up the inside but was no factor. BLAZING RAMONA gapped cover. LATE FOR DINNER was never in it.
TENTH RACE – KEN HANOVER moved uncovered on turn two, grinded up and using bullyboy tactics just paced right past the leader and drew away. LYONS SURFING was second-over, couldn’t quite stay with the winner but did get second over IM HUNGRY. The latter left and tucked in the pocket at the 1/8, was caught in as the winner went past and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, gathered together and made some comeback but not quite enough for second. BINGE ON YANKEE established early command, rated quarter two then sped up, not quite enough sprint for these. LITE N SWEET ran just before the start, caught the field, in a blindswitch late far turn, stayed in the two-path stretch and recovered for a check. SHIP SHIP HOORAY was third-over, gapped, wide far turn, not too much. MUSKATEER HANOVER was away third, fell back in the last ¼. CAPTAIN PLANET lost contact before the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – ROSEY TIME showed speed, moved uncovered 5/8 and reached the leader before the ¾, wore that one down and took the lead, then had enough to withstand GOT THE GOLD. The latter made the front to curve one, yielded and sat in the two-hole, came out behind the winner late turn, couldn’t quite work past her late. FOR CHIPS SAKE sat in, found room between horses early stretch, finished well. BULLVILLEKARLA never featured. HEAVENISSOFARAWAY made the lead 3/16, got a challenger before the ¾, nothing left in the lane. BYE BYE MICHELLE trailed.
TWELFTH RACE – MR PROFETA was three-wide early then surged to take over off the first turn, couldn’t keep the backstretch brusher from clearing but stayed at his job, rallied in the Pocono Pike for the decision. IM A POWERPLAY A was first on top, yielded, moved from third off turn two and went 26.4 to clear to the front past the 5/8 and open a sizable advantage, but couldn’t hold the lead to the wire. POSH ONTHE BEACH A went on to take over 3/16, yielded, in during the backstretch speedshow, moved out headstretch and did well late. CALYPSO ROCK N sat in midpack, gained some in the lane without clearance. FRISKIE ALL NITE found his best strides a little belatedly. DAVIDS COMING HOME was behind the nonadvancing cover of LETSMAKEAWISH.
May 16, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch tailwind on a warm day not too favorable for high finishes by closers … SHARE THE WEALTH was outside leaving, looked at a tuck but decided to go on 3/16 and made the lead 3/8, had challengers lurking headstretch but stayed strong in a fast mile. ZETTE FLAME came through for early positioning, second-over 5/8, gapped a little, outfinished the rest but didn’t really threaten the winner. BRIGHT SIDE UP moved to the lead 3/16 and surrendered it a like distance later, a bit loose midrace, Pocono Pike, OK but not threatening late. COLLEGE TUITION was first on top, yielded, came again raw 9/16 and challenged in a fast ¾, stayed in there well. HEART MATTERS was last, swung wide and was gaining at the end. SNOWMAN HANOVER was gapping midrace, not a factor today. GET TO THE POINTE moved third-over but couldn’t keep up.
SECOND RACE – LUCKBEWITHALEX was underway 3/16 to take command in an extremely fast half, opened up a little distance on the turn then bested RIP WHEELER in yet another fast mile. The latter grabbed command early and encouraged tucks, yielded to the winner, saw the winner get away a bit on the turn, but kept trying very hard to the wire. LOUKES PERRY challenged early but took a two-tuck past the 1/8, inside, looked all-out to keep up late backstretch and most of the turn, angled wide and continued on nicely. DRAGON CITY avoided the clogged outer tier and was next in line. COMET CRUSADER N left, tucked fourth 3/16, not too much late. JK GOING WEST came out from last but was hampered by ineffectual cover, between horses late, so-so. K J HUNTER was second-over behind a nonadvancer, wide stretch, not enough. OAKWOOD VEGAS IR was behind cover early, tucked, went uncovered into turn two, never got into contention in the fast mile.
THIRD RACE – SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL left and was briefly very wide, to two-wide to take over 3/16, had to deal with the big first-over move of ODDS ON DELRAY from the 11/16, but kept that one at bay. The latter moved raw into the backstretch and went up in 27.1 vs. the wind to challenge the leader, held stubbornly. A FEARSOME HANOVER gapped and was last down the backstretch, angled wide headstretch, still last just before midstretch, but then found a really big last 1/16. DING DING DINGER made the lead and yielded, had a chance in the Pocono Pike from the pocket but didn’t have the needed response. TERRITORY stayed close second-over but then didn’t have the needed late pace. DILLINGER gapped third-over ¾. MODERN ROCK gapped in last, may’ve been shut off between tiring horses late. BLAKEMORE never featured.
FOURTH RACE – ELWELL made the early lead, forced a tuck, then yielded to the brusher, pulled out of the pocket midturn, inched away from midstretch. SHORE OF HIMSELF was underway before the ¼ to take the top, had only the winner near him most of the last half, kept trying hard but not the late speed of the winner in this fast mile. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL came out down the back to circle a gapper and retuck third, well-removed from the top two in show. URBAN RENEWAL came out but never entered the main picture. SOMBODYITREASURE left well and took the two-hole past the 1/8, didn’t keep up in the last half. HOMESTRETCH WES never factored.
FIFTH RACE – COWBOY COOL kept on between horses to the top at the 1/8, yielded past the 3/16 for the two-hole, took advantage of the good trip in the Pocono Pike and proved the best. KINGSTONS BAD BOY had good cover second-over, closed steadily. MIDNIGHT DAY moved raw 9/16 and advanced, stayed right in the fight to the line. ATLANTIS was third-over, wide in the stretch and was narrowing in well late. SOUTHWIND DREDGE was last, angled widest for the drive but couldn’t make up enough ground. WON LAST FEELING was three-wide to the 1/8 to command past the 3/16, really didn’t get much pressure until the ¾, but still came up empty in the drive. DROPTHERAKEFREDDY was the innermost of three quick starters, yielded at the 1/8, looked all-out to keep up 5/8, faded.
SIXTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE quarter-moved and rolled along, seemed in hand holding off the inside move of SEVENTIER. The latter was four-wide to the first turn, three-wide to the 1/8, then onward to command before the 1/4, yielded to the favorite, did very well in the stretch. CANTKEEPMIASECRET was three-wide early, took a tuck fourth, uncovered before the 5/8, went well but had to settle for a clear third. STEALING was third-over behind dull cover he circled late turn, next under the wire. MISTER BOINGA was the first to show, yielded to the ¼, inside, not keeping up the last ¼. WOODSIDE EMILEAH never was involved in the main action. SORTIE moved second-over but couldn’t offer much.
SEVENTH RACE – SAID N DONE AS yielded to the outside speedsters at the 3/16, moved uncovered 5/8, reached the pacesetter AGGIORNAMENTO at the ¾ and slugged it out with that one the last ¼, barely getting the decision. The latter was three-wide past the 1/8 to the lead before the ¼, could rate the middle half, then braced for battle and gave a good accounting of himself. PORTULACA was between horses well past the 1/8, got the lead then yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, good but just a bit shy of the top two. BEER CHEESE moved out on the far turn, swung wide, next in line. RACER DAN moved out raw at the ½, got cover 5/8 but soon was gapping it. MISS PRINCIPLE started to gap 5/8. HAND OVER DAN was off the gate, tried to rally from far back but broke before the ¾. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS went offstride approaching the first curve.
EIGHTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL had cover to the3/16 then went on to grab command just past the 5/16 and got a breather with a tailwind to the half, fought off the first-over, then had THE DARK SHADOW surge from the pocket but dug in with customary tenacity for his tenth straight win. The latter pressed on to grab control by the 3/16 then yielded as described for the two-hole trip, outside in the stretch and narrowed in gamely but couldn’t get to the game winner. LADYFORD DOLLAR GB left well and yielded, stayed plugged-in behind the top two until the stretch. MAKE SOME WAVES was second-over, three-wide early far turn, couldn’t close enough. BELLOWS BINGE tried to circle four-wide headstretch from last but couldn’t reach. BUSBOY HANOVER took back early, came out before the half and was aflank of the leader the third split, then began to gradually fade.
NINTH RACE – SAMHARA N got a textbook second-over trip, moved three-wide midturn and overpowered the pacesetting REDBANK BLAZE A. The latter controlled the pace with two speed moves in a vicious half, kept the first-over out, held well after setting fast fractions and well ahead of the others. CAVIART LUCA yielded, a bit steppy on a couple of occasions while gapping some of the middle half, backed all the way out late on the turn to four-wide headstretch, found better foot late. MIGHTY SANTANA N followed the winner, couldn’t stay with his three-wide move far turn. CAPTAIN ROMANCE made the lead 3/16 in a sizzling quarter, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, not much left for the stretch after early usage. BULLVILLE FRANK gapped at the back at the half, never in the picture. LYONS LIBERTY came uncovered late on turn two, gained until at the pacesetter’s rump, advanced no further then started to fall back. ADDISON HANOVER dropped back in the last half.
TENTH RACE – BAD TOTHE BONE N was briefly three-deep then took over before the 3/16, merited such respect that he got a very soft middle half for these, then took off at the ¾ and dominated these with a 26.3 last quarter. ODDS ON OSIRIS launched an uncovered move 5/8, had solid finishing lick against a tough winner. JOESSTAR OF MIA A came through at the start and maintained the pocket, OK but couldn’t quite sprint enough late. BEE TWO BEE was second-over, OK from a very hard spot. BETTORS DONTTELL took back early, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t gain. PRINCE OF TIDES showed little.
ELEVENTH RACE – DANDY showed some gate foot and secured the pocket, shifted to high gear and moved out just past the ¾, showed his usual late kick and went by easily. ROBBIE PEV was in front at the 1/8, got pedestrian fractions with no challenges, not enough for the winner but held the deuce. SPICY NUGGET gapped a little at points, inside, Pocono Pike, couldn’t reach second. MACMORRIS HANOVER stayed in, never a factor. KINDA LUCKY LINDY was last most of the way. BLENHEIM moved uncovered off turn two, never got close, then broke while far back headstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – CRUNCH HANOVER moved outside before the half, had a long way to come to get tight on cover but did so late backstretch, three-wide midturn, the strongest late. SAN DOMINO A drifted out midpack, in gear 3/8 and challenged for the lead very hard in a 55.2 middle half, actually was in front though not inside the majority of the last half, kept striving gamely to take second in a three-way photo. TRIP HAMMER was four-wide nearing the first turn, got the front 5/16, was under relentless pressure the last half, kept the first-over horses out by highlining, held well; an inquiry after the race showed that TRIP HAMMER had gone inside a pylon headstretch and thus was placed fourth. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was three-wide to the first turn and onward to the lead, pushed a foe past the ¼ before yielding for the pocket, not snug-tight in the big third quarter battle, to the Pocono Pike and performed well. SHVAIKO left, yielded, gapped down the back, never in the picture for major honors. HORSE was actually first to show at the word “GO” but took back to last, gapped. TERRY A HANOVER backed out to third-over but never factored.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE was chased after at the start, yielded, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, under fierce pressure from CASUAL COOL from late backstretch but kept that one out, then drew clear late. The latter took command at the 1/8, yielded 5/16, backed out raw 5/8 and was head-to-head with the winner from the 11/16 to headstretch, backed off a little but still second in a good mile. TRACEUR HANOVER had excess cover fourth-over, three-wide late turn, passed a bunch of horses for show. CHATELROLL was third-over, blindswitched, came clear between horses with some pace late. MYSWEETBOYMAX tucked fourth, gapped behind the early duel then gapped when second-over, so-so. THE WALL was inside, pinned in far turn, not all that much when clear inside late. BENJI’S BEST never featured. BB LUCKY BOY was three-wide to the 1/8, two-wide to the top 5/16, yielded to the winner, started to gap some in the pocket late backstretch.
May 14, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Upper 60s; stretch tailwind … TIPSY MONI stayed tight on cover second-over, three-wide midturn to two-wide approaching headstretch, got the best of a three-horse battle. PORTOFINO was four-wide early and three-wide to the 3/16, then onward to the top just past the 5/16, set the pace, dealt with the first-over, outtrotted late but stayed game to retain second. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA made a slightly-delayed burst between horses to take over before the ¼, yielded, slightly loose down the back, to the Pocono Pike, lost second in a close photo. SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC was inside, gapped down the back, gained on the turn then had to wait for the Pocono Pike, distant best of the rest. THE BLACK ACE left but then took back to tuck, moved third-over and wide behind the winner but couldn’t keep pace. GUCCI GIRL pushed the early proceedings, stayed in, no late factor. UFTON ABBY HANOVER made a good uncovered challenge in the third quarter before giving way. MATTER OF TRUST was at the rear.
SECOND RACE –BUILDING BOOST was third-over, went four-wide to the 11/16 to circle foes and got to two-wide covered on the turn, wide and wore down ERINWOOD YVES in the closing stages. The latter left well inside foes and wound up in the pocket, outside ¾ to take over turning for home, almost lasted to the wire. FULL SUPPORT was very wide to the first turn, out to the ¼ and went on at a good clip, not quite the equal of the top two but still good considering the total energy used. DONT GET SHOCKED was between horses early and tucked, to the pocket ¾, not quite enough late. ZEUS HANOVER was far back, wide to circle snarled traffic and got a check. MARVELOCITY offered little inside. PINK FLOYD HANOVER was second-over, three-wide 5/8 to get around a stalled foe but didn’t gain much. CROSS WATCHING was wide early, took back to tuck past the 1/8, outside again early on turn two but didn’t have much to give.
THIRD RACE – NASEY, with trotting hopples, was out three-high most of the ¼, took the front 5/16, went clear early backstretch and stayed clear until deep stretch. TRUMAN JR HANOVER was between horses most of the ¼ for the lead, yielded, a bit loose in the pocket much of the second half but came on a bit at the end. ARGENTO launched an uncovered bid from seventh 3/8, put in a very good one-geared effort. DART GUY was caught inside, so-so late. DAZZLNDASH HANOVER escaped the inside far turn, so-so. NICE STUFF pushed most of the ¼, had trouble keeping tight the last ½. SPREE had the dull cover of LUCKY MATTER, who tried to follow the show horse but gapped from past the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – P CHICO quarter-moved in front of a parked horse, in firm control the last half. STRONG BREW gapped inside but at least avoided the far turn difficulties, outside stretch and a distant second. REDDY FOX made the lead early, yielded for the pocket, got progressively looser the last half. FAIR KOUNTRY avoided trouble. MERCURY LANE was three-wide early, got to the pocket mid first turn, came out ¾ but then was pushed wide when a foe broke. KT DOUBLE DEUCE gapped throughout, also pushed wide far turn. ROWDER jumped early. SEVEN BEADS was off the gate, sat outside and made progress, may’ve been beginning to tire when breaking midturn.
FIFTH RACE – TIDAL SHARK sat in, then backed out to third-over, gapped slightly, better with advancing cover on the turn, wide and just up very late. ADRENALINE RUSH started a long uncovered move before the 3/8, kept grinding up, took over and crossed over early far turn, held until very late in an unlucky loss. ARTACHE HANOVER was between horses to a tuck third, shuffled back, swung widest and was narrowing in in the 30 kicker. WOODMERE ANDRIOLI backed out to second-over on the second turn, left uncovered early far turn, not quite enough late. PANTHEON HANOVER was three-wide early and onwards to the lead at the 1/8, set the pace and got extended pressure, yielded just past the ¾ and tired. HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON worked out a pocket trip, shuffled far turn as the leader tired, Pocono Pike but had little pace in recovery. SAFENSOUND HANOVER made a break while far back past midturn.
SIXTH RACE – LEXUS RANGER left, yielded 3/16, gapped slightly third-in, got right to the Pocono Pike and was just up in a four-horse thriller. UNRESOLVED DEBT was second-over, three-wide around a struggler ¾ while still well off the pace, finished steadily and got second in the last step. ITS A HORSE was out between horses to 3/16 command, yielded for the pocket, outside towards headstretch, never ahead but fought on. LEVITATION was three-high 3/16 and onward to the lead after hard work 5/16, set the pace, held pretty well. STEEL SCHOONER was inside, blocked far turn, wide but didn’t gain. CRAZYCAT moved uncovered at the half but never threatened before fading. CUPID HANOVER never entered the picture.
SEVENTH RACE – P L PRINCESS C was on top before the 3/16, yielded to two foes in quarter two, backed out to second-over 11/16, then ducked in for the stretch and won in the Pocono Pike. HES EXPRESS moved out 5/16 and went up to take over mid-second turn, had pressure the rest of the way, staved off the outside foe but was overhauled up the inside. KALYPSO moved uncovered 5/8 and applied hard pressure, gamely to the line. SWEET GADGETS left a very big gap early and never made up ground. C DIDDY’S GAL left and yielded, made a “hidden” quarter-move and yielded again, tired from her early efforts. SUNSHINE CHIP couldn’t offer much.
EIGHTH RACE – BUDWEISER GIRL went on between horses to command past the 1/8, set the pace, put the first-over in behind her as she opened a clear lead on the turn, a clear margin she retained until very late. LADY LIRA was second-over, left uncovered midturn, found a much better gear late and was rapidly closing in, far ahead of the others. RUFFLES N LACE was three-wide to turn one, in third past the 1/8, moved uncovered 5/8, could tuck in the pocket far turn, but didn’t gain any further. DIGNITY HANOVER was the innermost of three quick starters, rode in the pocket, out of gas to the ¾. BT BABE stayed in, made no gain in the Pocono Pike. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER couldn’t keep with her cover. THE LAST TWO were never on the main radar.
NINTH RACE – FALANA HANOVER pushed outside foes early and yielded, uncovered 5/8 and challenged, gradually got the lead very late. MALTA MAGIC was stuck third-in until late on the turn, swung wide and finished with a rush. TOTALLY RIGGED had cover much of the first quarter then uncovered and finally claimed the lead before the 3/8, held that lead a long way in the stretch in a good race. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide to quarter command, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, not enough late. JK AE ONE gapped inside on the turn, angled wide and had some pace at the end. HOW SWEET IS THAT lost contact down the back but then found some pace at the end. ADULT SWIM was also way back most of the way. ALL YOU CAN EAT started uncovered then got cover 5/8, couldn’t keep up ¾.
TENTH RACE – SIMON GOT LUCKY picked up cover at the half but was not helped by it at all, got in gear when the cover ducked inside far turn, still not close early stretch but finished strong and just up on the money. TOWN VICTOR was between horses to take over 3/16, had hard pressure down the back and on the turn but shook that one off, almost lasted in a big showing. LADY’S IMAGE left and yielded for the two-hole, backed out late backstretch then went back to the Pocono Pike, photoed out. STICK WITH ME KID was three-wide before the 1/8 then tucked third after that point, came again with a bold raw move 5/8 but could not clear, held his ground very well. CHING CHING LUCKY got a check. HS JUDY JETSON gapped inside. MUSHANA spotted then moved out but didn’t do much. CREEMORE broke right at the start; returned with “b.e.”
ELEVENTH RACE – DELESTON was three-wide before the 3/16, backed off to take the 3-hole at the ¼, made a brief break 5/16, got to the passing lane to steady and quickly caught back, stayed in third, got the Pocono Pike and finished with a rush; an inquiry into his break gave no reason for placing. ESTEEM raced up to the early pocket, pulled nearing turn two and took the lead 5/8 in a fast third quarter, couldn’t stall the winner late but raced well in his own right. WATCH U R BACK took early control from the pole, yielded to a challenge 5/8 and kept up in the pocket, outside stretch, evenly. GALLIE GETAWAY avoided the deteriorating two-wide tier. TRIFECTA HANOVER gapped near or at the back. GATOR HANOVER was second-over, couldn’t stay with cover ¾. GRETZKY THE GREAT was uncovered 3/8 but got cover before the half, lost it again 5/8, challenged, couldn’t sustain. KING KONG KALIBRE was three-wide with cover early, tucked fourth, backed out to third-over but never entered the main action.
TWELFTH RACE – LIKE A WARRIOR moved out from fourth 11/16 and got cover, went wide in the lane and just was along over FRANKIE HILL. The latter left and was forwardly-placed, moved out raw before the 11/16 to challenge, went by to midstretch, just got nipped at the wire. KNIGHTS GUARD went to the top, saw an early rival break, yielded to a challenger 3/8, came back out down the back and regained command 5/8, tired. DINKY WINKY was briefly third-over, ducked in on the turn, evenly late along the inside. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN couldn’t make up the necessary ground. TOMBSTONE was looped early, went up after a horse broke to the 3/16, finally claimed the front to the 3/8, was challenged down the back and yielded past the 5/8, then tired further in the stretch. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was four-wide early then looped up to two-wide and looked to be ready to go by when breaking to the 3/16. TEST MY WILL was wide early, took back to tuck, steadily fell back in the last ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM headed right down the road, came home in 27.4 to hold off MICHAEL’S MONSTER as those two broke away from the rest. The latter went into the two-hole at the 1/8, was well-placed, took his shot in the lane, good but a bit shy. LINCOLNJAMES was never close, inside and a very distant third. SCRAPPIN GOLD moved out with cover down the back then back inside on the turn, little. KIMANI N was three-wide to the first turn then took back to tuck third, out again near the 5/8, gained a little bit then fell back a lot. ROARING SUCCESS was away slowly, violated the pylon rule at the ¼, lost contact, finished ahead of FORT APACHE SCOUT, who also lost contact, was placed behind that one.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HERODOTUS raced out to the lead before the 1/8, had only CRANTINI close most of the way, had a safe lead through the stretch in very fast time for this class. The latter kept close-up most of the way in the pocket, had a better gear a bit too late. USOSWEET BLUE CHIP circled gappers to tuck third far turn, third-best. MUSCLE HALL was better than the rest. SIR FRANK gapped in third most of the way, then fell back significantly. WEATHER VANES was far back outside on the far turn when making a break.
