May 13, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm, with a stretch tailwind … ALL CASHED OUT was second-over, left two-wide raw when his cover broke 11/16 and immediately went to a higher gear, easily went past RED OVERBACH. The latter wanted to cut the pace and did so, clear late in the backstretch and part of the turn, but no match when the winner challenged. TUIS SHADOW came out in the stretch and caught TEDDY BROSEVELT for third. The latter left, took the pocket before the 3/16, fought an ever-losing fight to stay tight the last 5/16. TRUEMASS VOLO stayed inside for the last check. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was never close, outside on the turn, couldn’t make up enough ground. NO NAME YANKEE was no factor. FAMOUS DAN was wide early, tucked 3/16, uncovered at the half but didn’t gain before breaking to the 11/16.
SECOND RACE – BUDDY EARL left between horses to take over at the 1/8, let the parked foe go to sit the two-hole past the 3/8, outside headstretch and went right on by. HEZA SCOUNDREL was outside-last at the 1/8 then got in gear and steadily progressed to take over past the 3/8, no match for the winner but not bad at all to hold second. TO MY CREDIT left and yielded, stayed in, evenly. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was away last from the rail, gapped down the back then picked it up and followed cover, wide headstretch and doing better late. FAWN DE SIGN tucked at the 1/8, not heard from again. LEAST WEASEL moved uncovered 5/8, gained late backstretch and early on the turn but then ran out of gas.
THIRD RACE – FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES made the front at the 1/8, accelerated into the backstretch to briefly get clear then saw others catch up late backstretch, but still kept in charge to the wire. LORD OF MISRULE tucked third, stayed in and went along well for place. HES REALLY KEEN yielded at the 1/8, got closer to the winner late backstretch then moved out ¾, got tired very late. INTRIGUED AGAIN and PACK YOUR BAGS both went around an early gapper; the former was outside on the turn and doing a little better at the finish than the latter, who stayed inside. APPLE VALLEY ART wanted a forward position but broke early; caught the field. UNICO LEGEND N could not keep up early, stayed at the back of the pack, then significantly faded in the last ¼.
FOURTH RACE – TRICKY DICK got away third but inherited the lead nearing the ¼ when the front two both went offstride, soon had a big advantage that he only widened the rest of the way. FRAC inherited the pocket, was loose of the winner before the 3/8, did hold on for the distant second. GREEK LEGEND broke 5/16 and went to the passing lane to settle down, caught the field, wide headstretch, and made a good recovery for third. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was caught in on the far turn, had some trot in the Pocono Pike, just caught for third. CASH EMPIRE moved outside on the far turn but didn’t have much to offer. CRITICAL MASS sat third, gapped the gapping pocket horse late backstretch, little. ASKMELATER HANOVER charged right to the lead, broke 3/16, caught and was on the move again outside when breaking at the half. HAMMER CREEK left, tucked in the pocket, independently broke just after the leader ran 3/16.
FIFTH RACE – TRAIN STATION left well to defend the early pocket, sat in third then moved behind the backstretch challenger, left uncovered ¾, grinded on and took the decision late. RODMAN was out most of the ¼ for the lead, yielded to the retaker but pulled again 5/8, to the lead in a quick (for these) 3/4s, not quite enough. YANKEE CLOUT stayed in, caught behind a tiring foe on the turn, moved out in a blindswitch then back inside once clear and finished with pace. HESTONATOR was out in a good flow but couldn’t quite keep up the last 3/16. PARK STREET BLUES went to two-wide, three-wide headstretch, not enough. SOLAR BOLT gapped early and never entered the picture. BARNEY HANOVER was quickly on top, yielded at the ¼ but reclaimed the lead past the 3/8, was challenged down the back and was passed ¾, faded.
SIXTH RACE—PERFECT PASSION moved out towards the 3/16 and grinded up to take over 3/8 while picking up the pace, firmly in charge the rest of the way. NINA HANOVER went up to the lead 3/16 in a slow opener, yielded to the winner for the two-hole, maintained second late over MEADOWBROOK ROSE. The latter had cover early, tucked late on the first turn, came out raw 5/8 and gained until midturn, then went on steadily. TSM EMILIA T relinquished the lead 3/16, in, not that much late. EVER HOPEFUL G advanced with cover late backstretch, evenly late. MELODRAMA was not a factor. ULURU tucked third, inside, gapped far turn, then broke going to the Pocono Pike. WAVERLY HANOVER was last at every call, fell back further in the lane.
SEVENTH RACE – SWEET HEART AS moved second-over past the 5/8, three-wide headstretch, just overhauled SAY YOU DO. The latter was looped and out most of the ¼ to get the top, yielded to the chalk to sit in the two-hole, outside early stretch, made the lead near deep stretch, just missed. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS was parked with cover most of the ¼, proceeded up to take the top 3/8, went a fairly quick ¾, didn’t have much at crunch time. GREAT MAGIC outleft everybody, yielded and sat third-in, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, even response once clear. JIVE NINETY FIVE was third-over and followed cover three-wide, fair. PADRE gapped in last, then found room between horses and gained a bit. ONE AFTER NINE was shuffled, didn’t look to be clear. CHUCKY DE VIE moved uncovered before the 5/8 but didn’t make much of an impact before tiring.
EIGHTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N was three-wide to the first turn, in front before the 3/16, looked to have good control of this throughout. TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN moved from next-to-last to be second-over, gapped down the back then closer on the turn, wide and steadily for the deuce. BETTOR’S WESTERN left between horses and settled in third, to the Pocono Pike and OK. CHEYENNE REIJANE left to defend the pocket, urged ¾ but couldn’t keep tight. PERKINS rode on the outside the first half then hit a higher gear, went 27.1 down the back to be the closest challenger, held well after the long journey. BLACKLIGHT never featured; nor did BLOOD BROTHER. MISTER DAYTONA N was outside but didn’t have enough.
NINTH RACE – I CANT REFUSE was three-wide to the 3/16 to the top just before the ¼, got a soft middle half, opened up a big lead midturn and coasted home with a nice 28.3 kick. BABY TAKE A VOW was innermost of three leavers, sat the pocket trip, saw the winner get away from midturn to early stretch, then found her best kick and narrowed back in well. U GURL was second-over early backstretch, three-wide past the ¾ and along for a distant third. RAVIOLI took the inner route until nearing headstretch, angled wide the first half of the stretch, OK late. TSM LOYAL T got underway uncovered off turn two and gained into the moderate third quarter, couldn’t keep gaining when the pace accelerated. MISCHIEVOUS G was between horses until tucking third 3/16, not all that much left late. CHAPTER TRAX gapped early backstretch, tighter and third-over, three-wide with cover on the turn, fell back. MISS HALL trailed, made a stretch break.
TENTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE moved before the ¼ to get the lead and strung out the field with quick fractions, drew away. DAGON HANOVER went to the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the stretch, well ahead of the others. MARION GONDOLIER came off the rail with cover late backstretch, fair late for third. FIREINSIDEMYVEINS left, tucked fourth past the 1/8, outside 11/16, gained a little, then was tiring very late. KASEVILLE took back and sat third, left a gap much of the last ½. GRAPPLE HANOVER was far back. CHOCO CHARLIE gapped much of the way. DROP THE MIC was right up against the gate when breaking before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK raced with cover early then proceeded on to the lead 5/16, received little pressure and won handily. MIKI B MOUSE moved uncovered 5/8, one-geared and was good to be second. MORE PLEASE was out most of the ¼ to get command, yielded, pocket, couldn’t keep going the last 1/8. EAZY HUNTING was second-over, evenly. LADY’S CHOICE K pushed a rival to the ¼ and yielded, inside, not much late. BIRDIE THREE did not factor. IDEAL ALEXA moved early, wound up third-over but gapped past the 5/8. LURKINGINTHESHADOWS was last at every call.
TWELFTH RACE – FINEST MOMENT was outleft and wide early, went to the pocket at the 1/8, then moved at the ¼ to get the lead soon afterward, kept the first-over at then dug in and withstood KOBE B on the line. The latter was second=over before the 5/8, three-wide past midturn, gained but just missed. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP tucked third, gapped in the second quarter then in one-gear mode and came raw down the back, held his ground well. PAUC HANOVER quickly outleft everybody, yielded, stayed close in the two-hole but didn’t have much late. ACTION SHOT was caught in on the far turn, so-so late. PRAIRIE NUGGET was never prominent. DANCEHALL KING moved out but soon broke late backstretch. F SCOTT’S MUSE broke at the half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – UPALLNIGHTBLUECHIP had to be steered around the breaker on turn two, was way back but made up a lot of ground in Q3, outside far turn, got cover then three-wide before the top of the lane, drew away. I’M A BIG SHOT went into the pocket to the first turn, stayed close to the leader, outside midturn, outkicked but steady and second. CLEVELAND B MIKI also had to dodge the breaker, slower to make up ground than the winner but finished well to take third on the line. VORACIOUS got in third at the 1/8 then left a big gap for the next 5/8 of a mile, evenly in the last ¼. PAULS BANDIT was bothered but never recovered much. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME was away quickly, set the pace with only the pocket horse close, gave it up in the last 1/8. ON DAVID was behind a gapper then became a gapper 3/8, broke entering turn two.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN CASH was very wide early, wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to 3/16 command, slowed quarter two then took off down the back, not pressured. VARNEY moved uncovered at the half, stayed at his task steadily though not threatening. ROCK THREE TIMES stayed in until the far turn, was moving well at the line. GOOD DEAL was three-wide early to make the lead at the 1/8, tiring in the stretch. PHANTOM SHADOW was first to go outside, gapped second-over. OHARE HANOVER was behind gappers. LUZIANA offered little. LATEST ATTRACTION left but was taken way back to tuck in his own hole, gapped out 5/8.
May 11, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature around 60 most of the card … Track rated “good,” although the “+1” variant was removed after two races because of quick clockings … LOUKES PERRY was second-over, strongly three-wide 11/16 to challenge two-wide ¾, took the lead late turn, held off the late bid of SHORE OF HIMSELF. The latter left on top, yielded to a looped foe to sit the pocket, crucially stuck behind that one late far turn then backed out behind the winner, almost caught him in a good mile. STONEBRIDGE DUEL was looped to the first turn, pressed on to the lead just past the ¼, couldn’t withstand the winner late far turn, held OK. A FEARSOME HANOVER gapped a little at a couple of points, inside, some rally. MUDVILLE was second-over, couldn’t go with the winner three-wide far turn, fair late. JK OBJECTION was never a factor. Y S MATHIS BRO left some, came uncovered at the half, looped to the ¾ and fell back sharply.
SECOND RACE – CASUAL COOL, under a hold behind the gate, was outleft but retained the pocket, quarter-moved, set a fast pace, had an insistent foe in CAVIART LUCA but just withstood him. The latter moved uncovered early in the backstretch, one-gear speed-grinded, gave game chase to the wire. AFLAME HANOVER was second-over, started three-wide late turn but then dipped down into the Pocono Pike, raced well. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was third-over, blindswitched 11/16 through the turn, best of the rest. SHVAIKO was stuck inside far turn but couldn’t regather when clear in the stretch. ONTO EL DORADO N was fourth-over, three-wide 11/16 but never went forward much. HOMESTRETCH WES never got into it. IM A POWERPLAY A left sharply, yielded for the pocket, began to go loose from the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – HEART MATTERS stayed connected in third, roared out ¾ full of trot, drew away. CHAPHEART was three-wide to the 5/8 to try to clear the parked horse, was kept three-wide when the winner pulled then dropped down behind her midturn, gamely to be second. COLLEGE TUITION forced an action-packed quarter, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. VELVET STYLE was last much of the way, angled wide and finished well. CANTSTOP YANKEE was three-wide to the ¼ then went on to take command 5/16, not enough late. RACER DAN stayed in, didn’t appear to be clear late. ANGELONIA looked at leaving but took back, no factor late. AP HALL OF TRIX was between horses to the ¼, looped and was stuck on the outside midpack, started to fall back 5/8, broke late turn.
FOURTH RACE – MODERN ROCK was parked just off cover while advancing much of the way to the 3/8, then up to take the front nearing turn two, had pressure, impressive winner. COWBOY COOL showed speed, sat in and was brutally shuffled, avoided the clogged outer tiers, found room between horses midstretch and rallied strongly. ODDS ON DELRAY went out between horses to 3/16 command, yielded, made a “hidden” quarter-move then yielded, Pocono Pike, came up a bit shy. DILLINGER was out on a long uncovered grind from the 3/8, wasn’t a threat in the stretch but held his ground well. TERRITORY backed out to third-over, four-wide in the lane and steadily. HIGH IMPRESSION mad the lead nearing the ¼, in, was caught inside while gapping a little ¾, deep Pike, not too much late. MARINER SEELSTER looked at leaving but took way back, then second-over, three-wide midturn, not enough late. CAVIART VAL gapped at the back.
FIFTH RACE – DA DELIGHTFUL left quickly right to the top, yielded to the brusher and sat the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and went right by. KASHED UP A moved from second before the ¼ to the lead, got a slow half, didn’t seem to have much excuse except the winenr was better. THE WALL stayed in, able to angle wide early stretch and finished with a rush. SAN DOMINO A started on the grind to the second turn, never really was close but an improved mile overall. PRINCE OF TIDES spotted early, stayed in third, so-so along the inside late, returned with “b.e.” CHATELROLL was looped early and backed off, was shuffled to last, had some late speed in very tight quarters. RIFLEMAN gapped second-over. TERRY A HANOVER got in the two-wide flow but didn’t advance.
SIXTH RACE – RELENTLESS JULIE didn’t move until following cover 11/16 behind the very fast pace, wide in the stretch and by nicely. HUNGRY FOR KISSES came raw 11/16 and advanced, never ahead but was along for second. GINGER TREE COCO was moved at the ¼, paced her own middle half in 54.1 while establishing a sizable lead, but was tired in the last 1/16. BLANK CHEEK made the top, yielded, shuffled, then free and far the best of the rest, ALWAYS A DANCER got to the top just past the 1/8, yielded, was loose in the pocket the last 3/8. LULU ROCKS couldn’t go enough.
SEVENTH RACE – Drizzling … ARCHERY SEELSTER moved raw at the 5/8 and went up to challenge, had the lead late turn but couldn’t clear, just fended off the inside move of SHARE THE WEALTH. The latter had the early pocket, was quarter-mover #1, to the lead then yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, almost enough. BRIGHT SIDE UP went up sharply off the second turn to be second-over, gapped a little the latter part of the turn, steadily. FRANK THE ELDER was quarter-mover #2, briefly three-wide then onward to 3/8 command, not enough this evening. AGGIORNAMENTO went wide in the lane and had finishing kick. BULLY BOY HILL was fastest away, saw two brush by, inside, not too much late. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS was last when breaking late on the far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – PROUD MARY was three-wide early to the lead, yielded and had a great trip in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and with steady speed just got her nose up first. HELLO YES HI was briefly four-wide, went up and got command 3/16, held up off the right-hand challenger, just missed against the one to her left. ODDS ON HAIL MARY had speed, uncovered to the 5/8 and challenged the leader very hard, very good but just shy at photo time. SWEET PHENOMENA was second-over, couldn’t quite stay with the top three but best of the rest. NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was never in the main picture. ABSOLUTE POWER was third-over, gapped a gapper. HURRIKANE LADY LOU didn’t keep pace in the last stanza.
NINTH RACE – DING DING DINGER was between horses most of a 26.3 opener to get the top, rated quarter two, got pressure only from the pocketsitting CAPTAIN MALICIOUS in the stretch and held together over that one. The latter was innermost of the early battle of three, maintained the pocket, stayed there until headstretch, made up ground but not quite enough. PLAY THE FIELD was three-wide almost to the 3/16 before having to settle third, stayed connected, OK late after the hard initial stanza. KINGSTONS BAD BOY avoided the outer tier, gapped down the back then did somewhat better. MIDNIGHT DAY was uncovered before the ½ but never got close to the lead. THE OTHER TWO didn’t benefit from nonadvancing cover.
TENTH RACE – C IS FOR COOKIE defended the pocket then quarter-moved, set the pace of her choosing, again responded when asked early stretch, safely. DIAMONDSNPEARLS made the front, yielded and stayed close in the two-hole, out headstretch, narrowed in but too late. EXTREME Z TAM was second-over, angled inside past midturn and paced well along the inside late well in advance of the others. DUCHENNE never factored. RACIN HUNGRY was uncovered at the half and went up in 27 but could get no closer than a nose ahead of the pocket horse early far turn before fading. ROMANTIC EVENING never surfaced. ULTIMATE LOULOU couldn’t get around the winner early and accepted third 3/16, gapped early backstretch, got closer, then fell back again.
ELEVENTH RACE – SOUTH BEACH STAR was parked early, bypassed the 3-hole and drove on to the lead, hard-used to get it before the second turn in a 53.3 half, continued very quickly to the ¾, dug in to withstand BAD TOTHE BONE N in the fastest mile of the Pocono season, 1:48.2. The latter tried to put everybody in behind early but had the winner come up to press, yielded past the 3/8, stayed close, outside early stretch and was chewing up the ground late in a big mile of his own. BETTORS DONTTELL tucked early, sat in, next in line. SPORT SECRET went around early backstretch gappers, back inside, some late. MAXIMUS MIKI never featured. KEYSTONE STEAM left a huge gap at the half, never got close, made a short break early far turn. SERIOUSLY HANOVER came out at the ¼, followed cover, was left raw past the 3/8, took the second turn badly, went up to challenge, but then tired significantly.
TWELFTH RACE – ALWAYS B NAUGHTY was between horses early, on top 3/16, shook off the first-over and had things pretty easy. HUNGRY FOR LOVE left to protect the pocket, did as well as she could but clearly second-best. DUCHESS HILL kept a hole closed late first turn, sat in, third. HALLELUJAH HANOVER stayed inside, shuffled to last, no factor. DOLE WHIP was three-wide to the first turn, then backed off and tucked fourth, came again 5/8 and advanced but saw her move stall to mid-far turn. MY HUNGRY GIRL moved out behind backstretch cover but couldn’t get in the mix.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL made the lead just before the 3/16, showed his usual handiness and tenaciousness with no horse getting past his wheel, in control for nine straight wins. BUSBOY HANOVER buzzed away to the top then yielded for the golden journey, to the Pocono Pike, game but outpaced by a toughie. MAKE SOME WAVES was three-wide to the 1/8 circling taking-back foes, tucked fourth, went uncovered on turn two, “inched” (announcer Jim’s word) up, held his ground very gamely after a hard trip. THE DARK SHADOW was third-over, three-wide from midturn, closed well. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was second-over, accepted the blindswitch on the turn as not tight on cover, then in tight quarters late while moving along evenly. URBAN RENEWAL had some speed, sat in, not prominent. INDIGO ART was in a very hard spot. REGAL ESCAPE was fourth-in, had some traffic to maneuver through in the stretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LUCKBEWITHALEX made his own luck, coming first-over on turn two, speed-grinding in 26.3 to take on the pacesetter LOU’S BEACH, then outfooted that one late. The latter gradually got in gear early and made the lead off turn one, rolled along at a fast clip under pressure, held quite well. BOSTON was first on top, yielded to the winner to sit the two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike, just came up a bit shy. SAMHARA N gapped down the back, stayed inside then angled wide early stretch and finished well. JK GOING WEST stayed connected, evenly late. DRAGON CITY was second-over, not tight on cover far turn, evenly. GROOVY MAN gapped his cover from third-over.
May 7, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Starting at 46o and rising five degrees through the card … Stretch headwind … Another tough (but not impossible) day for the front-end or for those two-wide and far back in the backstretch (to win; many got minor placings) … MISS PRINCIPLE made the lead, yielded and sat the pocket, started to edge out near headstretch and could go wide when a rival broke, just along. UFTON ABBY HANOVER came uncovered from well back 5/8, trotted right up to challenge, to the lead early stretch, good race. DEVIOUS PROMISE was forwardly-placed, to the Pocono Pike, fair. GUCCI GIRL left between horses and tucked fourth, sat in and was blocked far turn, looked to be in tight quarters late with some trot. DOUBLE A SAMANTHA was three-wide to the 1/8 and two-wide most of the ¼ for the lead, slowed the half, but had no late answer. SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC was well back, moved wide, then had to duck inside the breaker early stretch. WEATHER VANES was outside and following cover, was in a contending position when breaking approaching the top of the stretch. BAR COINS was very wide early, broke searching for a spot first turn.
SECOND RACE – ADULT SWIM moved with cover 5/8, gapped it until late on the turn, then better and wide, and along late. P L PRINCESS C let, yielded, came out from third 5/8 and challenged, went to the lead in the lane but couldn’t quite last to the line. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE made the lead at the 1/8 and surrendered it for the pocket 3/16, gapped on the turn, then outside behind the top two and third. WILD BLUE WONDER was three-wide early, on top 3/16, came under challenge 11/16, tired through the stretch. ODDS ON RED ZONE sat in, gained a little down the back, outside far turn but with little. THE NEXT TWO lost contact down the back. SELINA HANOVER was inside, faded.
THIRD RACE – ESTEEM set a pretty good pace, drew clear before the ¾, then held together over HESTONATOR. The latter went in third at the 1/8, came back out raw to the 5/8, finished steadily but couldn’t entirely reduce the winner’s margin. P L PHOENIX slotted fourth 3/16, then second-over but gapped cover, fair late. VORACIOUS stayed in, came on some late. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was third-over, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t get close. DEL MAR DOUG left and defended the pocket, but then tired 11/16. FATEFUL DUEL was already gapping by the half, faded further.
FOURTH RACE — LEXUS HANOVER settled in the pocket before the 3/16, moved outside after a foe brushed by past the 5/8, went up to challenge as those two drew away from the field, just up in the last step. EMMA TOWN BUD tucked third at the 1/8, moved early on the backstretch and went 27.4 in clearing to the lead, tried very hard but was just caught on the money. JUSTIFY was far behind sluggish horses until late backstretch, then outside and three-wide headstretch, along for the distant third. PRAIRIE VIRTUE came out to go around a tiring horse after struggling to keep up, two-wide turn, couldn’t hold third. GREEK LEGEND gapped but got a payday. WILLIE B WORTHY went down the rod from the rail, all done 5/8. PAYMAQ broke near the 5/16. QUINCY MARKET went offstride before the first bend.
FIFTH RACE – SINATRA DE VIE was outside down the back off the two leaders, then got in gear towards the 11/16 and advanced raw, took over midstretch. FASHION KEN was away second, moved early backstretch and cleared 11/16, no match for the winner late though retaining second. WALLANDAR was three-wide early, made the lead into the initial curve, fought back against a backstretch challenge but then yielded, stayed close and tried to the end. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN started to gap in the sped-up third quarter. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT never factored. DONATELLO HANOVER was gapping outside when breaking ¾. BATTLESHIP LANDING was looking to tuck into third to the 3/16 when losing his bearings.
SIXTH RACE – TIPSY MONI was far back, moved with cover down the back and three-wide on the turn, circled up to second and then tucked inside for the stretch, went on the very tired leader as an anti-bias winner. MISSILE was looped early, went on to 3/16 command, opened a huge lead down the back and still looked gone nearing headstretch, but got very tired. MUSCLE HALL came out behind the winner and followed that’s one path, stayed wide, third. LOUS LANCELOT was not in the picture. U BAKE THE CAKE briefly had cover then was left uncovered well off the leader, didn’t gain. CURADH had just moved out when the pocket horse broke, quickly retucked but never made up ground. WAVELIKEAQUEEN had the lead right away, yielded, began unplugging in the pocket into the backstretch then broke 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – SAINT LOUIE pulled the pocket on a quarter-move, buried these with a 28 third quarter, tons the best. P CHICO was away third, got tighter late backstretch and moved out, to a clear second by early stretch. FLARES ZIVA was outside behind the place horse on the turn, third with no one close behind him. MISS HALL took back to tuck fifth 3/16, not on the radar again. THE NEXT TWO struggled. A GREAT CHAPTER broke when last on the backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – I’M AMUSED was a bit loose in the pocket from the 1/8 until the ½, moved out 5/8 and went right by, soon opening a huge lead, well-clear the rest of the way. LADY LIRA followed cover, wide stretch and closed well. DEFACEMENT sat third, followed the winner out but could only one-gear, tried to the end. RHIANNON HANOVER stayed in, was blocked on the turn, didn’t enter in the main fight. EVER HOPEFUL G trailed the main pack most of the way. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA quickly made the lead in a fast quarter while opening a big lead, had the field get closer early down the back, yielded late backstretch, fell back. CHEROKEE JOY had just moved two-wide at the half when breaking.
NINTH RACE – MUSHANA sat in, came out in a blindswitch late turn, able to find room between horses midstretch and finished with the most trot. SMART AS HILL was uncovered 5/8, kept his momentum going by moving three-wide ¾ as a horse pulled out, drifted wide late but still got the deuce. HS JUDY JETSON kept close in the pocket, moved outside ¾, took the lead early stretch but couldn’t sustain the advantage. ITS A HORSE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16 in a fast quarter, set a moderate middle half, was challenged on the turn, gave way. SPREE left between horses to tuck third, had the Pocono Pike but couldn’t produce much late. NASEY was leaving but broke at the start, went behind the starting gate to settle down, but couldn’t recover nearly enough.
TENTH RACE – KADDARI left well then quarter-moved before the parked horse came up closer, set the pace, drew clear early stretch and won handily. OVER BOARD was last much of the way, swung four-wide before the stretch and made up a lot of ground to be second. A GOOD CHARDONNAY left well, yielded for the two-hole, outside stretch but couldn’t gain. I CANT REFUSE was looped early and tucked third past the 1/8, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. BABY OIL moved second-over 5/8, three-wide midturn, evenly. QUITE FAST left but was left parked, rode unhurried two-wide to the backstretch, then accelerated, missed third by less than two lengths after a luckless trip. EEE Z WOW sat in, looked to be in tight quarters to the line. QUARANTINA sat in, not a major factor today.
ELEVENTH RACE – ZETTE FLAME was briefly wide, moved into the pocket to the 3/16 after a breaker, waited until early backstretch then moved and went by easily late backstretch, stayed clear. DROP THE MIC gapped down the back then hit a better gear towards the far turn, outside then retucked, far ahead of the rest. ROSALINE set sail early, couldn’t handle the winner’s move but had the virtue of staying flat. ULI BLUE CHIP left a giant gap from the frontstretch, made a break early stretch but regathered and came back for fourth; an inquiry into that break showed no reason for placing. THE BLACK ACE got away second but broke at the 1/8. STREET SMARTS was third when breaking at the half, finally regained stride but then broke early on the far turn and ran home, placed. FOOLISH MONI left a gap early then tightened up, only to lose gait at the half.
TWELFTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE rode along nicely in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and got the decision here. TRUMAN JR HANOVER left to quickly get the lead, slowed Q2 then was asked to accelerate, was challenged until the far turn, saw the right-hand opponent beak but was caught by the left-hand foe. DAZZLNDASH HANOVER went along evenly, not a great response late. SIMON GOT LUCKY waited in third then challenged on the far turn, was definitely in contention when breaking midstretch, regained composure after major damage had been done; an inquiry showed no reason for placing because of the break. CREEMORE was outside down the back but didn’t get close. LUCKY MATTER trailed throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CRUNCH HANOVER kept outside leavers outside much of the ¼, then quarter-moved, went clear 5/8 and was a runaway winner. HEARTBEAT HILL was three-wide to the 3/16 before finally clearing, relinquished for the pocket, went loose 5/8, fought on to win a photo for the distant second. FRISKIE ALL NITE was able to go out in a blindswitch past the 5/8, went up behind cover then ducked in midturn, Pocono Pike, may’ve gotten a nose up for second deep stretch but was decisioned on the line. ALADDIN HANOVER moved out 11/16, flattened out some. VARNEY gained ground outside from last, nudged out three-deep 5/8, gained to the far turn then could progress no more. STENDAHL HANOVER never featured. MOVE THE LINE was between horses 3/16 before securing the early pocket, couldn’t stay close to the gapping pocket horse 11/16. LUCKISONTHEWAY was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked at the ¼, came two-wide to the 5/8 but had very little.
FOURTEENTH RACE – IN A TINY WAY was underway with a rush going to the 3/8, made the lead 5/8, stayed safely clear for The Trot Man. HALL IT OFF moved out down the back and made a big three-wide move to two-wide before the ¾, went on very gamely. SWIZZLE HANOVER left, pushed the early pace then yielded for the pocket, wasn’t keeping tight far turn, then outside and grabbed third on the money. CHARLIE BAR was on to the lead 5/16 after a good quarter, rated the next panel, yielded without a fight 5/8 and gradually fell back bit by bit. DIVINE SPIRIT was locked inside far turn, got to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have too much of a kick. MISS MUSCLE was wide early, then out with cover before getting in midpack at the ¼, not heard from afterwards. JIVE NINETY FIVE followed the winner’s cover although not able to stay with it, left raw, was looped to the ¾, fell back. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES moved third-over from last in the early flow, broke off turn two.
May 7, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature drop from 52 to 45 degrees … Strong stretch headwind; seven races didn’t beat 30 home, and three didn’t beat 31 … “Fast +0” through nine races, and then moisture came through, causing a rerating to “sloppy +1” … STEALING was moved out into turn two, gained very little down the back and through most of the turn, but did reel in a tiring leader to get the victory. ARGENTO gapped down the backstretch, then was pinned in on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and along for second. STEEL SCHOONER was far back behind cover, advanced as the pace slowed; the last part can also be said of ALL CASHED OUT. CHUCKY DE VIE was looped, made the lead just past the 5/16, drew clear early backstretch and was alone until nearing headstretch, tired. TUIS SHADOW circled opposition for the early lead, yielded in front of the stands, gapped out through the second half. FAMOUS DAN was moving behind cover when he ran early backstretch. MASSIVE OPULENCE vacated third 11/16, gained some but then broke looking at tucking in the pocket past midturn.
SECOND RACE – GIRLDAD was three-wide 3/16 then was yanked back into a hole, kept that hole (which turned into the pocket) closed, to the Pocono Pike, held off HEISONTHEHUNT. The latter stayed connected to the battle for command, deep Pike, loomed midstretch but got outstepped late. FIREBALL FREDDY moved behind the parked horse at the half, gapped then closer, three-wide 11/16, made a quick break midturn but quickly was uprighted, OK; an inquiry into the far turn break showed no reason for placing. TRIFECTA HANOVER left strongly from the pole and was under tremendous pressure keeping the lead in fast fractions, tired and bore out. KING KONG KALIBRE followed cover, went four-wide when a rival got rough midturn, not bad. WATCH U R BACK left between horses, was left out in no-man’s-land and took all the air in crisp numbers, held until early stretch. SLICK FELLA had little late.
THIRD RACE – MAD MONI was second-over, gained on the turn then ducked in to the Pocono Pike, just along in a 32 kicker. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was uncovered 5/8, grinded up narrowing the leader’s advantage, couldn’t quite take it all. ACCELERATE took his time early then gradually accelerated up to 3/8 command, opened a big lead, but tired. FINEST MOMENT gained on the outside, briefly blocked mid-far turn, swung outside, narrowed in with the downturn in tempo. DANCEHALL KING got a check. TOMMY BOY HANOVER was on top at the 3/16, yielded 3/8, went loose early in the backstretch. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was not in contention when making a far turn break. SEVEN BEADS left, yielded, started gapping at the half and broke ¾.
FOURTH RACE – SHARKY BEAR moved off the first turn to get the lead before the second turn, went clear 5/8 and was never threatened. FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES was five-wide past the start and three-wide early first turn, then two-wide to third at the 1/8, retucked around the tired pocketsitter going towards the 3/4, held for second. TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN went up with cover, tucked third midturn, evenly. PLAY THE ACE pulled raw on turn two but didn’t gain and was looped, one-geared onward to be not far off second. ER VEGAS was shuffled to last, in a blindswitch ¾, never on the main radar. ROYHILL was very wide early, took a midpack tuck, then was shuffled when the pocketsitter gave way. PANTHEON HANOVER went three-wide from last but didn’t gain. FOUR-STAR FLASH went 26.1 to the quarter forcing a tuck, yielded to the winner, all done at the 11/16.
FIFTH RACE – FLYINGDRUMSTICKS S was three-wide early to the front before the 1/8, yielded, inside and was blocked far turn but then immeasurably aided by breakers, up the inside and along. BUDWEISER GIRL showed speed, yielded, shuffled ¾ but then could get out after many foes ran, outkicked to the inside. RUFFLES N LACE was looped leaving, went on 3/16 to the lead 5/16, yielded ¾ but got a new life as the new leader broke, still tired. GADOT HANOVER stayed flat. BROADWAY SENSATION, off the gate, pulled out down the back but went nowhere. TOTALLY RELENTLESS followed a brusher, had just been left uncovered ¾ when breaking. MANDRILL tucked at the ¼, went uncovered down the back and went by near the ¾, got fumbly past midturn and lost gait. MIDWIND SUCCESS followed the winner, was left uncovered midturn but then ruined her chances with bad behavior.
SIXTH RACE – LODESTAR was three-wide to the first turn to the lead 3/16, slowed the half, had to fight off a persistent challenge from HUNGRY FOR KISSES. The latter got forward positioning, moved uncovered in 27.1, never really got in her face but was a dogged rival at her wheel to the line. B ON THE HUNT stayed close, outside far turn and three-wide in the stretch, good outing. BAMA BREEZE was way back, had a very good last 1/8 into the stretch wind. LAZ-A-FAIRE yielded for the two-hole 3/16, not enough at crunch time. PARTY LOUNGE gapped at the back. LULU ROCKS also gapped out.
SEVENTH RACE – SWANKY HANOVER got the lead at the 1/8, surrendered it just past the 5/16 for the two-hole journey, outside early stretch and summoned enough forward gear to get by PERFECT PASSION late. The latter left well, had cover to the 1/8 then gradually worked up to the lead just past the 5/16, held onto the lead until very late. CUTIECUMBER couldn’t keep with backstretch cover, then swung three-wide as that cover tired, next in line. WAVERLY HANOVER was forwardly-placed, not too much late. U GURL followed the cover of the show horse, so-so. QUIETLY BRILLIANT went uncovered early backstretch and made up a lot of ground, but then stopped gaining early on the turn. QUEEN OF THORNTON never featured. TSM EMILIA T never surfaced.
EIGHTH RACE – KENOBI was uncovered from far back, went 27.4 down the back to get into contention, took the lead in the lane, kept to mild pressure to hold off SCOTTY DEO. The latter spotted third, gapped much of the middle part of the mile, outside stretch, gained (as the pace did slow). GAME BUSTER took the top before the ¼ then yielded to the brusher for the pocket, stayed tight, rallied in the Pocono Pike. DINKY WINKY gapped, beat out the others. KNIGHTS GUARD left, yielded, retook, got pressure from the winner ¾ through the turn, didn’t have much to offer late. YO CARTER didn’t enter the picture. FOX HOLE fell back badly. BUMPY JACK broke midpack 3/16 and was taken to the infield.
NINTH RACE – BENICIO was on top early and avoided the first turn mess, yielded and was well-placed behind a bitter third quarter battle, moved out late turn, took the lead midstretch but did not draw away. MALTA MAGIC had to go wide around the early breaker, went on to the lead 3/8, slowed the half then had to accelerate to meet the backstretch challenger, held very well late. EDEN HANOVER was shoved very wide past the ¼, moved uncovered before the half and challenged very hard in a fast third quarter, but then she tired not much past that point. CUTTING HUMOR was between horses early, had to circle the breaker then went into the pocket, started gapping before the half. TRULY and HUNGRY LIZZO had nowhere to go when a horse made a break past the 1/8 and suffered “ix”s.. ESPERANZA HANOVER left three-wide, was dropping down to two-wide in a bid for the lead when making a nasty break, placed.
TENTH RACE – C IS FOR COOKIE was away second, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, in control the rest of the way in sweeping the series. CARIS moved uncovered 5/8, got cover 11/16, wide, up for second late. AMERICAN CRISPIN took back early, pulled raw from third 11/16, just missed place. SQUARE DEAL grabbed early command in a 27 opener, yielded for the two-hole, was hard to hold in the pocket down the backstretch, faded a bit late. RELENTLESS JULIE came from Parts Unknown to get the last check. EXTREME Z TAM moved three-wide on the turn but couldn’t get into the action. DANCE NUMBER stayed close but had little late. SWEET HOME left a gap early, no factor.
ELEVENTH RACE – TOMBSTONE left, looked like he wanted o go on then took the pocket to the ¼ after that space’s former occupant broke, came out midturn and went right on by, won easily. PRAIRIE NUGGET was a little bit loose in third down the back, gained and was clearly second. UNCLE NINO came through at the start, set the pace and backed off the half, but had no response when challenged midturn. FAIR KOUNTRY at least stayed flat although gapping much of the last ½. TO MY CREDIT made the early pocket but broke 3/16, came back to get a check. HEZA SCOUNDREL broke going to turn one. STRONG BREW jumped early.
TWELFTH RACE – BT BABE left and yielded, moved from third 5/8 and went right by past the ¾, opened up a big lead even though the last quarter was only 31. MERCURY LANE was between horses early and wound up in the pocket, backed out as the winner went by and retucked in the two-hole, just held off BINGO BRAIN for second. The latter made a short run at the start, settled, raced behind cover, three-wide headstretch, was moving well late; an inquiry into the break showed no reason for placing. MELODRAMA never featured. TSM LOYAL T was not in the picture. KT DOUBLE DEUCE moved out but couldn’t keep up. MISCHIEVOUS G gapped at the back. WINNIN WINDS K, a bit rough early, was three-wide most of the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead 3/16, strung the field out until the winner moved up, had no fight left in the last ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – APPLE VALLEY ART had the lead in a matter of steps, in charge throughout. HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON defended the pocket, couldn’t keep up on the far turn, held second. SAFENSOUND HANOVER moved outside on turn two, gapped and ducked back in down the back, evenly. WOODMERE ANDRIOLI came out for the drive but bore way out. ARTACHE HANOVER had dull cover, three-wide before the ¾, lost some ground turning for home, got the final payday. CAVIART SKIPPER had little to offer. PAPIAMENTO was last most of the way. ADRENALINE RUSH tucked in fifth at the 1/8, then moved first-over on turn two, advanced a little then fell back a lot.
FOURTEENTH RACE – KASEVILLE went immediately to the top, rated quarter two, stole clear nearing the ¾, then had enough left to hold off RED OVERBACH. The latter tucked third, was pinned in much of the far turn, got out nearing headstretch, ducked inside the winner and made up ground with every stride. TEDDY BROSEVELT worked out the pocket trip, went loose before the ¾, held for third. TRICKY DICK was wide around the early breaker, gapped down the back, evenly late. MUSCLES JARED was outside until tucking 3/16 in the hole left by the breaker, never got close. SANTA MONICA AS was slightly bothered early, had cover but couldn’t gain. K J DIAMOND was wide around trouble, lost contact with the main group down the back. ASKMELATER HANOVER made a break 3/16.
May 5, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 50s; wet – track in “sloppy” condition, with the variant changed from “+1” to “+2” after the fourth race … Stretch tailwind early, then calming as the hard rain came through … LORD OF MISRULE got a fine trip second-over 9/16, went three-wide nearing headstretch and paced away from these. BAMSKI was urged early, was looped, made the pocket 3/16, shuffled a bit headstretch, came out behind the winner then went to his inside, couldn’t go with him but did come on for second. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING moved first-over 9/16, started to gain on the leader at the ¾ and got a small lead coming into the stretch, only to be caught on both sides. INTRIGUED AGAIN had dull cover, four-wide in the lane and gained well. HASH-TAG SWAG sat in, backed out late turn, followed the winner’s path and didn’t tip wide in the lane, fair. LENWOODS REAL DEAL was out and going before the 3/8, got cover early backstretch but then couldn’t stay with it. JONAH left well and cleared early, set the pace, tiring through the last ¼. KEPT UNDER WRAPS A gapped inside.
SECOND RACE – BEACH VIBES left powerfully and strung out the field much of the way, resisted the inside charge of DONT GET SHOCKED. The latter started well enough to preserve the pocket, gained some along the inside late but not enough. PINK FLOYD HANOVER went out between horses, tucked third to the first turn, maintained that position. CAPTAIN MIKEY moved uncovered 5/8 but never made any serious inroad. ERINWOOD YVES went around a couple of stragglers, had backstretch cover that wasn’t the greatest, not too much late. SOUTHWIND SAMBUCA gapped most of the way. COALFORD BET ALINE stayed behind a slow opponent early and never got into the race. QUARANTINI was gapping out by the ¼ and was far back.
THIRD RACE – Rain resumed … BRAVO TEX N was three-wide before the 1/8 then two-wide to get command 5/16, rated the half, then soon got outside pressure, proved to be the best here. ODDS ON DELRAY stayed close second-over, three-wide late turn, edged GLOBALDOMINATION N for second. The latter moved uncovered going to the half and soon was putting hard pressure on the leader, did so until midturn where he fell back a little, but held his ground nicely. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS left for the top, pushed the winner past the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, looked all-out to stay relatively tight the last half, evenly late. MY WISH CAME TRUE gapped cover third-over, doing a little better late. LAST MACH moved out then went back inside, gapping to the ¾, no factor late.
FOURTH RACE – LIKE A WARRIOR tucked quickly, then backed out past the 5/8, three-wide headstretch, trotted away late. ACTION SHOT left, settled in the pocket before the 3/16, came off the rail early stretch and just got second in the final steps over PAUC HANOVER. The latter used the rail well to control the pace, really slowed the half, then was challenged, didn’t have enough late. LEAST WEASEL moved outside at the half, gapped late backstretch, next. CASHIER was uncovered before turn two, went right up to the leader down the back, but couldn’t sustain the move the last 3/16. FAWN DE SIGN took back early, ran up on a horse at the half and broke bothering a foe, ran much of the rest of the way, placed. HILLASVIVA suffered interference off the second turn and soon went on a break.
FIFTH RACE – Track downgraded to “sloppy +2” … HP XANADU left, yielded, quarter-moved, held off a long bid from FOR CHIPS SAKE. The latter started uncovered 5/8 and reached the leader ¾, battled very hard to the line. BETABCOOL N left and cleared past the 1/8, yielded before the ¼, inside until moving out with cover far turn, but couldn’t go with it. TRAFFIC JAM made a big burst near the 1/8 to the lead before the ¼, yielded to sit the two-hole, was moving into the Pocono Pike when going offstride, galloped home, placed. MACH’S DELI was never in the mix; nor was APRIL AVA.
SIXTH RACE – MIKI DE VIE spotted, then was underway quickly at the ¼ and soon got the lead, went clear ¾, held against the big late burst of PARK STREET BLUES. The latter followed cover, swung wide headstretch and narrowed in rapidly with good speed. YANKEE CLOUT was on top going into the first bend, yielded past the ¼, back out uncovered off turn two, didn’t reach the winner, retucked in the pocket late turn, held for a distant third. UPALLNIGHTBLUECHIP stayed in, blocked late far turn, angled out diagonally and finished with pace. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME was far back, also found better pace nearing the finish. BARNEY HANOVER was second-over past the half, left uncovered just past midturn, not too much late. ROCKWELL left and gradually strung the front past the ¼, quick to yield for the two-hole, started leaving a gap 3/8 that gradually became a little bigger. OH DAVID couldn’t go with these.
SEVENTH RACE – Still raining hard … KEYSTONE SERGEANT was underway raw before the 3/8, one-gear grinded up, took the lead ¾ but couldn’t cross over, trotted on gamely to have “J. Kakaley” beat “M. Kakaley” in a photo. The latter yielded early, thought to try for the lead nearing turn two but retreated back into the pocket, got to the Pocono Pike and just missed making a father-and-son driving deadheat. THE BOSS MAN stayed in, angled out sharply past early stretch and was gaining well as the tempo slowed. PISTOLS ASPIRATION was carried up second-over from last, not far off at the wire. PUDDIN N PIE took back early and tucked fourth, shuffled to last, angled wide but couldn’t make up the necessary ground. CRITICAL MASS was three-wide to the 1/8 to command just past that point, rated the half, kept the winner out on the turn, but then tired. CASH EMPIRE backed out to third-over but had little to offer.
EIGHTH RACE – DING DING DINGER left at full alarm and dashed to the lead, yielded past the ¼ but was quickly on the retake, drew clear of this field. COWBOY COOL was second-over, ducked in midturn and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, responded well but wasn’t beating this winner. MIDNIGHT DAY was looped early, proceeded up to the lead past the ¼ but was quick to yield for the pocket, stayed close until late in the backstretch. TISADREAM N started uncovered 5/8, gained some then stopped gaining. PLAY THE FIELD had too far to come. BLOOD BROTHER couldn’t keep pace in the last ¼.
NINTH RACE – Pouring down rain … A FEARSOME HANOVER was in a good flow third-over, tipped out wide early stretch, still sixth midstretch but passed a bunch as the tempo moderated. SHORE OF HIMSELF got away a distant third, moved 3/8 and was able to quickly retuck in the pocket, waited, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch but was outblasted late. SOUTHWIND DREDGE was second-over, three-wide late turn, finished OK but was passed from behind by the winner. DAVIDS COMING HOME sat in, had room deep in the Pike, evenly late. JK OBJECTION refused to yield in a stiff opener, set the pace, gave way. MARINER SEELSTER fought very hard early, was forced to tuck second 3/16, gave the pocket nearing turn two, back out raw 5/8, not enough power late. THE LAST PAIR were always near the back.
TENTH RACE – SNOWMAN HANOVER was three-high into the first curve, made the top before the 3/16, slowed the half, was challenged by the chalk from the 11/16 all the way home, held very gamely. BESTFRIEND VOLO came raw 9/16, reached the winner 11/16 and gave that one all he could handle in a good race. BATTIN A THOUSAND maintained the pocket, stayed connected, outtrotted on the inside in the lane but way ahead of the rest. MONI BOOK was second-over, gapped and went back inside. I GOT THE TAB was looking to leave but broke early, at least recovered for the last check. CLYDEWEISER was taking back when miscuing at the 1/8, couldn’t get back into it. KALEUN gapped early, got closer, then backed off again. WENTWORTH HANOVER gapped a gapper early, third-over, broke late turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – BEAUTIFUL AMERICA went into the pocket just past the 1/8 and sat the two-hole trip, a bit loose down the back then better on the turn, outside into the stretch and caught MORE PLEASE right on the money. The latter sat sail from the rail, went clear to the ¾ and still seemed in command until just past midstretch, then wearied. BIRDIE THREE stayed in, photoed LADY’S CHOICE K for third. The latter was three-wide early, tucked third by the 1/8, not much late. IDEAL ALEXA broke at the half. MY SWEET KATE suffered an “ex” at the ¼. MIKI B MOUSE came out off turn two and gradually made up backstretch ground, then her bid stalled and she went offstride midturn.
TWELFTH RACE – BRECKENRIDGE moved uncovered from third early in turn two, speed-grinded in 27.4 to clear ¾ and then draw off, very impressive victory in a bad night. DAGON HANOVER yielded for the pocket, was stuck behind the passed pacesetter ¾ through the turn, finally clear in the Pocono Pike and had good trot for second. SWEET HEART AS swung to the extreme outside and finished nicely. GRAPPLE HANOVER was in front early, slowed the half, had no answer for the winner ¾, so-so late. GET TO THE POINTE was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide, did get a check. PADRE gapped inside. RACER DAN was second-over but was soon gapping. MONEY MATTERS was at the back, had swung three-wide but made a break just into the far turn.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N led from the first step to the last, kept to urging in the stretch to hold off BLAKEMORE. The latter was second-over, three-wide past midturn, closed well but couldn’t get there. MISTER DAYTONA N left for the pocket, stayed close until the stretch, then gave some ground. BETTOR’S WESTERN spotted third past the 1/8, uncovered at the half, didn’t really threaten before backing off a bit. PERKINS stayed in, gapped down the back then got tighter, did not have a clear path between horses late. BLACKLIGHT never reached contention. STELLAR BB was third-over, wide, not that much. UNICO LEGEND N didn’t factor here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SAULSBROOK HERO started on the grind before the 5/8, gradually advanced, got a clear lead past early stretch, then turned back SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN. The latter backed out behind the winner ¾, gave good chase in the stretch. WEONA SIZZLER A moved outside late turn and was next in line. CAPTAIN CASH went right to the lead, put up a quick quarter and half, but was found wanting in the last 3/16. ROCK THREE TIMES had the pocket, locked in on the far turn, but then had little once clear. PHANTOM SHADOW was always far back. SOHO WALLSTREET A was outside, fell way back.
May 4, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature in mid-50s … After rain before the card, track rated “good +1” through five races, then switched to “fast +0” for the balance of the card … Swirling winds – could be one way one race, then calm, then the other way in another race … Horses racing on the lead generally did not do well; some that did win were giving ground in the stretch … TUGGIN ON MY HEART left well to 1/8 command, set the pace, was challenged from the 5/8 by CAVIART LUCA, held that one off. The latter kept good early position, moved out into the backstretch and was battling with the winner from midbackstretch, very gritty effort. MIGHTY SANTANA N was wide early, took back to fourth, then was second-over, closed well. CIGAR SMOKING TONY made the front early then yielded to sit in the two-hole, had a clear stretch path but not enough response. BULLVILLE FRANK was buried inside well off the breakaway four, clear stretch and did pretty well in recovery. MR CENSI was behind the gapping cover of GENERAL MONTANA N. MACH WEST stayed in, gapped out at the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – BLENHEIM was on top right away, forced a tuck, and raced on an open lead from the 5/16 throughout, stayed uncatchable although tiring a little. P L NOTSONICE took back into the pocket 3/16 and was loose of the leader most of the way, went on steadily for second. DEE’S RED DELICOUS gapped past the quarter, moved from third 11/16, fair late. MARION GONDOLIER came out 5/8, got cover 11/16 but gapped, a little toward the line. CHOCO CHARLIE did not stay tight at some points. ONE AFTER NINE never got in the picture after moving outside; neither did THE OTHER TWO, who stayed inside.
THIRD RACE – WON LAST FEELING worked his way into a tuck, then quarter-moved, needing the length of the frontstretch to clear before a fast half, opened a clear lead at the ¾, but like many others on the lead tired and was kept to mild rousing to stay safe. DILLINGER was in tight quarters near the 3/8 under a hold, stayed in then backed out midturn, finished steadily. HIGH IMPRESSION had the early pocket, pulled raw from third 11/16 but couldn’t get close to the winner. LATEST ERA moved out down the backstretch but didn’t gain and ducked back in, moved out and wide headstretch and gained some. THE NEXT THREE never could join the main action. ROCKIN THE BLAZE went in front 3/16 in a fast quarter, pushed the winner then yielded, nothing left to the ¾ after his early exertions.
FOURTH RACE – BRILLIANT BEAUTY left between horses and made the top at the fast ¼, yielded past the 3/8 to sit in the two-hole, Pocono Pike and proved the best of a cavalry charge home. NEWSY N worked her way behind cover early, left raw before the second turn, kept digging in with remarkable courage considering the trip and just missed. DANCE CLUB was three-wide to the 3/16, briefly behind cover then uncovered and got to the top near the 3/8, came under pressure, held well. LETS RYDE GIRL had the front right away, pushed the action to the ¼, yielded, third-in, spent the first half of the stretch angling from the rail to four-wide, finished well (although the pace was slowing). THINK OF GALAXIES was underway from last early and got to second-over, was carried up, three-wide 3/4, OK but not enough. GEORGIE MARTIN N backed out to third-over, evenly late. BLAZING RAMONA didn’t keep up. BULLVILLEKARLA was shuffled to an impossible position.
FIFTH RACE – RICH AND MISERABLE was outleft, decided to bypass a tuck and made the lead before the 5/16, strung the field out midrace, then had a challenger on either side and was extended to prevail. MISS MCKEE looped everybody early, yielded for the two-hole, outside headstretch, narrowed in in a good mile. KINDA LUCKY LINDY accepted the early pocket, stayed third-in, to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter moved out, gained midstretch then flattened slightly nearing the line. MACMORRIS HANOVER stayed in, didn’t threaten. ROBBIE PEV moved outside towards the ¾ but did not gain. SORTIE was outside late backstretch, got unhelpful cover, didn’t factor.
SIXTH RACE – Track now rerated to “fast” … AMERICAN CLASSIC left between horses and settled third to the 1/8, went up raw at the half and battled the leader from just past the 5/8, showed courage in wearing that one down deep stretch. LAYTON HANOVER was three-deep most of the 1/8, in front just past the 3/16, set the tempo, outbattled in the latter stages. LUCKBEWITHALEX moved uncovered into turn two and had fine cover, three-wide late turn, photoed for the deuce. DRAGON CITY was buried inside, had some rally in the Pocono Pike. LOU’S BEACH also was stuck inside, outside far turn, evenly late. RIP WHEELER pushed away hard from the rail, relinquished to sit the pocket, fell back on the far turn then went evenly thereafter. BUCHANNON HANOVER gapped at the back. CODE CRACKER was third-over, didn’t show much.
SEVENTH RACE – HUNTERS HERO was on top 3/16, yielded a like distance later for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, proved to have the most in a four-horse battle. SIMPLY FAST had good cover second-over, tipped wide, steadily to be just a bit shy. MAYWEATHER HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked, out again raw 5/8, challenged hard, a little bit weary in the last 1/16. POSEIDON DEO was wide early, fell behind cover, lost cover 3/16 and went to the top 3/8, had pressure, couldn’t hold the lead to the line. BULLVILLE STEPHANO got around stragglers in a good effort to get the last check. THE NEXT PAIR gapped inside. HURRIKANE HUNTER was outside towards turn two but showed no forward gear and finally ducked back inside.
EIGHTH RACE – FRANK THE ELDER was outleft and tucked fourth, uncovered before the half and went 27.4 down the back to clear ¾, one of the few leaders to extend his margin to the wire. BRIGHT SIDE UP had the winner’s cover, couldn’t keep up just past the ¾, to the pocket past midturn, clear second. BULLY BOY HILL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the 27.2 quarter to grab the lead, yielded to the retaker, backed out 11/16 as the two-wide tier was the lively one, good mile. AP HALL OF TRIX had speed, stayed in, gapped much of the last half, then fair in the Pocono Pike late. HEART MATTERS was outside but gapped, didn’t reach. SAID N DONE AS had an excess of cover, widest stretch, little chance. ANGELONIA made two speed moves, backed off the half, but still had no answer for the winner ¾. BY A HOFF HANOVER lost contact down the back.
NINTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was among a wall of leavers and took back, got out into the two-wide flow and was second-over, ducked inside to the pocket mid-far turn, Pocono Pike, powered off from his rivals for his eighth straight win. ELWELL was double-looped and tucked fourth, moved quickly 3/8 to the lead just before the ½, clear much of the backstretch then had horses coming to him, won a three-way photo for the deuce. THE DARK SHADOW was three-wide leaving to the lead 3/16 in a fast ¼, yielded, backed out as the pocketsitter gave way past the 5/8, in the flow then wide, finished well. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was left uncovered at the ½, fought with the leader, looked turned away late turn but battled on. URBAN RENEWAL left, was forwardly-placed, gapped down the back, did get the final payday. THE NEXT TWO were always well out of it. SOMBODYITREASURE was four-wide leaving and three-wide to the 1/8, went on to the lead in 26.3, yielded at the half, started to go loose near the 5/8.
TENTH RACE – I WAS TRICKED made the top past the 3/16 in a snappy opener, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, came out headstretch and proved the best of these in a fast time. NOPEWASNTME was second-over, three-wide when cover stopped, ducked behind the pulling winner headstretch, went to his inside in the stretch and gained steadily. JOEMIKIYOURSOFINE took the inner path, did well in the Pocono Pike. ALL CLASS was briefly wide then went behind cover, lost it past the 3/16 and went up to the lead 3/8, put up very fast fractions on a day not favoring speed, paid the price late. GHOST SHARK left well and pushed most of the fast ¼, yielded, inside, not too much late. CONGRESSIONAL was always far back. IDIOSYNCRATIC was third-over, three-wide with cover but not much late punch. PANETTONE HANOVER was first-over at the half, went 27.2 down the back to challenge, but hit the wall on the far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – KILOWATT KID N was locked in from the 3/8 until almost headstretch, quickly angled four-wide in the lane and picked up the opposition. TJ’S INDY PACER was between horses early, tucked, came first-up towards the second turn, grinded to the lead towards mid-far turn, held very well. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was three-wide to the 3/16 in a 26.2 opener then made the front off the first turn, yielded to the retaker, backed outside ¾, left uncovered midturn, fought on to the line. TERRY A HANOVER also was caught in, moved outside midturn then three-wide, OK but outkicked. DASH OF DANGER was not a factor. HARD ROCK HULK got a slow start, couldn’t make up enough ground three-wide. SHVAIKO could find no early hole and dangled outside midpack, faded 5/8. HORSE set the pace with two moves, yielded past the ¾ and fell back.
TWELFTH RACE – SERIOUSLY HANOVER seriously wanted the lead and was willing to be parked past a 26.4 opener to get it, never had pressure until SPORT SECRET came at him to midstretch but was confidently handled. The latter pushed very hard past the ¼ then finally yielded for the pocket, outside early stretch and did very well but was second. BETTORS DONTTELL moved uncovered before the 5/8, one-geared not fast enough to get near the top two but enough to beat the others. REBELLIOUS sat inside, never featured. BILL HALEY N left behind cover, tucked third before the 3/16, no factor thereafter. PHOENIX OF FLUZZY never made any moves. THE LAST TWO were ineffective outside.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HUNTANOVER protected early position, stayed in, went up into the pocket to the ¾, got access to the Pocono Pike and went by easily. COMET CRUSADER N left and yielded, retook the lead, slowed quarter two then stepped it up as pressure came calling, second-best. YS DO IT RIGHT was outside most of the ¼ to make the top, yielded to the retaker, moved out with cover nearing the ¾, wide, not enough. GROOVY MAN was jammed up inside at the half and made a break affecting rivals, recovered a good deal of ground, but was placed eighth for causing interference. SAMHARA N moved out on the second turn just missing the trouble, three-wide early in the backstretch to get to first-over 5/8, battled but couldn’t go by, tired. C-BET HANOVER and TWIN B JAMMER (who tucked late on the first turn) were both pushed wide to avoid the trouble at the half. Y S MATHIS BRO was outside with cover early, briefly three-wide near the ¼ as a rival took back to tuck, then left outside midpack, looped before the 5/8 and faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BAD TO THE BONE N fled the gate quickly and took over in a 26 opener, got a breather then picked the pace up, came his last half in 55 in a dominating performance. KASHED UP A took the lead into turn one, relinquished for the pocket and stayed tight, clearly second-best. DA DELIGHTFUL was far back, caught in far turn, up the Pocono Pike with some vigor to be third. RIFLEMAN couldn’t get into the main contest. INDIGO ART gapped at a couple of points. CHATELROLL got a good early spot, came out at the half and went 26.4 down the back to challenge, but couldn’t sustain the move in the lane. SAN DOMINO A pulled out before the half, gapped and drifted wide.
