Connors’ Comments for Saturday, July 8, 2023

Jul 13, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Warm day … Changeable wind, starting as a mild stretch tailwind … STOP STARING didn’t want to let anybody go on the first turn, did yield to the brusher in front of the stands to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and got the lead midstretch, may’ve won a little more easily than the margin suggests. JACKIE MOON started on a long uncovered mission before the second turn, relentlessly gained and very game to continue on to the finish. DONTLIKEITLEAVE had great cover second-over, went three-wide, not too far off at the wire. TOPVILLE SOMROCKET tucked early, then quarter-moved and rolled on at a good clip, couldn’t make the lead last. TRUTHBTOLDBLUECHIP challenged hard early then backed off into the early pocket, then third-in, deep Pike, fair. JK OBJECTION was out with cover early, tucked fourth 3/16, shuffled back, so-so. YS DO IT RIGHT was in a good flow but not close to the lead, too much ground to make up. QUICK SNAP sat in, not clear in the stretch.

SECOND RACE – BOARDWALK BET yielded for the pocket, moved out late turn when clear and just paced away from these. SPRINGSTEEN came through at the start to take over before the 1/8, set the pace, got backstretch pressure, no match for the winner but held on to the distant second. MODERN ROCK was second-over, wide, OK. THIRD EDITION gapped for most of the first half then tightened, Pocono Pike, not enough. SHVAIKO was uncovered into the backstretch, went up in 27 to challenge, backed off far turn. SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL didn’t enter the main action from third-over. GRATIAN HANOVER gapped at the 5/8, didn’t factor, then not clear nearing the wire.

THIRD RACE – NO DRAMA PLEASE was looped and with cover to the 3/16, went on to the top 5/16, was in control to the wire. BY A HOFF HANOVER was first on top, yielded, came again raw 5/8 and challenged, lost ground in the lane but preserved second over PENCILS DOWN. The latter was part of the first turn two-wide tier, tucked fifth past the ¼, underway again early backstretch, got cover 5/8, gapped it, then did a little better late. CHUCKY DE VIE was wide early to 3/16 command, yielded to the winner 5/16 for the two-hole, no kick in the last 3/16. SECRET OR NOT tightened in on cover third-over, then was no late factor. ARCH CREDIT sat in, couldn’t keep up ¾. ZLATAN was far back throughout, as was LOUS LANCELOT.

FOURTH RACE – Now the wind is calm … GLOBALDOMINATION N went right down the road, rated quarter two, then was never threatened. AMERICA’S GUEST moved third-over nearing the half, three-wide 11/16 the duration, steadily for a good second. BLOW A CLOUD N went into the pocket towards the first turn, couldn’t keep up late. AWESOMENESS started uncovered just before the 3/8 but never reached the winner, held OK. REMEMBER THE BEACH was wide leaving, got in third 3/16, inside, to the Pocono Pike, not enough of a response. COWBOY COOL was out early to be second-over, blindswitched 11/16, didn’t factor. ER VEGAS stayed in, didn’t have too much late.

FIFTH RACE – AMERICAN CLASSIC moved out behind the parked horse at the half then soon was three-wide to get to first-over 5/8, able to drop into the pocket before the ¾, outside stretch and went by CAVIART ROCKLAND. The latter left strongly looping horses, set the pace, couldn’t stall the winner but was far ahead of the rest. LOUIE THE HORSE N was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, in fifth 3/16, stayed in, outside late turn after the top two were gone, next in line. CALYPSO ROCK N gapped early, stayed in, not prominent. MAJOR SHOW went wide to get around fading cover but didn’t enter the main picture. BIG BOSS HILL was always far back. BUTTER UP yielded for the pocket, came up empty 11/16. NO LAUGHINGSTOCK was looped, between horses, found no hole so continued two-wide, looped 5/8 and faded.

SIXTH RACE – KINDA LUCKY LINDY showed some speed, went uncovered early in the backstretch and one-geared inching forward, enough to go clear at the end. AP HALL OF TRIX let and secured the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and OK for the deuce. MACMORRIS HANOVER was very wide early but worked his way to the lead and the inside past the 1/8, rated quarter two, then faced increasing pressure from the winner, couldn’t make the lead stand up. ARCHIBALD moved outside early but picked up an excess of cover, three-wide far turn and closed well. DANDY was second-over but gapped. ONE AFTER NINE did not have good cover third-over, went inside his cover in the lane but didn’t gain. SORTIE was near the back throughout. WEATHER VANES was gapping inside far turn when going offstride.

SEVENTH RACE – GONNAHAVEONEMORE came through at the start, yielded, quarter-moved, shook off the first-over and kept the Pocono Piker at bay. PLAY THE FIELD was three-deep to turn one then went on to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, tried to catch the winner up the inside and raced well but had to settle for second. ODDS ON DELRAY tucked past the 1/8, got cover when he moved before the half, three-wide past the ¾ to two-wide later on the turn, third-best. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL gapped from midbackstretch. GOOD DEAL made up a good deal of ground after being behind bad midrace gapper A FEARSOME HANOVER; HOT DEUCE did not make up much ground. SIMPLE KINDA PLAN left between horses to take the early pocket, moved uncovered near the half but was tiring by the ¾.

EIGHTH RACE – Mild stretch headwind … SPEED AWAY stayed close to the pace then went uncovered 5/8, grinded, found a little bit more in deep stretch and triumphed. DIEHARD SEELSTER was on top early, pushed the winner a little past the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, good. COLLEGE TUITION made two speed moves to set a pretty quick pace, still had the lead past midstretch but couldn’t hold it. BULLY BOY HILL made up ground left by a backstretch breaker and did a good job to keep narrowing in; AGGIORNAMENTO did not make up near as much ground. FRANK THE ELDER broke just at the start. SHADOWFAX started to gap a little off the second turn and then broke.

NINTH RACE – HUNTANOVER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide for command 5/16, kept going at a good clip, held off LAST MACH. The latter stayed close until moving out raw 5/8, inched up closer and closer, never gave up. CIGAR SMOKING TONY beat the field away, yielded to the winner 5/16, had his chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t produce enough. CURBSIDE PICKUP was outside early backstretch and picked up cover, went three-wide ¾, only gained a little then went back to the path behind the place horse, evenly. FENDI HANOVER gapped inside down the back, evenly. DIAMOND HEAD had little from third-over. THE LAST TWO were never factors.

TENTH RACE – BETTORS DONTTELL came uncovered at the half and speed-grinded, looked to bear in a trifle early stretch but straightened away, then showed rare courage to keep going on for the victory. TRACEUR HANOVER made the top into the first curve, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, got a short lead for a couple of steps nearing deep stretch, raced well. RIP WHEELER was three-wide to turn one then two-wide to 3/16 command, tried hard and held on well but didn’t have enough to win. BACKSTREET SHADOW had a great trip second-over, three-wide late turn, was not at his best today. FEARFUL INTENT was away a little slow, gapped down the back, got the last check and wasn’t beaten by a great deal. ILIKEMEBETTOR A was in a very tough spot from third-over.

ELEVENTH RACE – STONE HANOVER started quickly, yielded for the pocket, gapped in the 26.1 third quarter then gradually drew tighter, to the Pocono Pike and snapped right on by. UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N was three-wide before the first turn and went up to take over just past the 1/8, tried to get away with a 26.1 third quarter, was caught up the inside but went on stubbornly even once passed. BUILDING BOOST was between horses to third at the 1/8, gapped frontstretch then closer and underway at the half, abreast of the winner behind the rampaging pacesetter down the back, flattened slightly but still a big race. REIGNING DEO made up a lot of ground. DIRT ON MY BOOTS gapped early backstretch then got closer, outside late turn, evenly. PARK OFFICIAL was far back, evenly late. DRUNKONAPLANE left a giant gap down the back. IDEAL BEACH trailed.

TWELFTH RACE – DONATO PATRIOT K was behind the early pace but then closer and underway raw into the backstretch, grinded steadily and along as the pace slowed. ROBBIE PEV spotted third then quarter-moved, kept up a quick pace, good in being second-best. DIVINE SPIRIT went right to the early lead, forced a tuck, then yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough late. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES went second-over, gapped in the fast ¾ then closer on the turn, didn’t tip wide, flattened some. PAPI HANOVER left wide, tucked, stayed in, not too much punch in the lane. THE NEXT TWO didn’t have much chance after being far back since the start. BEER CHEESE gapped inside 11/16.

THIRTEENTH RACE—PEACE OUT POSSE sat the pocket in a lineup, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch and inched away thereafter in a fast back half. KASHED UP A came through at the start and headed a lineup, slowed quarter two then was urged to pick it up, came home in 55 -27.2 but still was caught, good try nonetheless. CAPTAIN FANCY pulled uncovered at the 5/8, inched up, flattened a little midstretch. THE WALL trailed IDIOSYNCRATIC off the top three, just got by that rival late while no factor.

FOURTEENTH RACE – GENTLE GIANT bypassed the pocket 3/16 and went to the top, had a clear lead from the 5/16, all alone in fast fractions to the end of a very fast mile. FOUR MORE YEARS pulled on the second turn, raced outside the very loose pocket horse past the 5/8, stayed trying for second. OUTWIT OUTRUN left well, yielded ¼ looking a little hard to handle, soon started leaving a gap that only got bigger, fought for second but was caught. BLOODHOUND came on with a little bit of belated pace. KB MAC got “position,” was gapping the gapping pocket horse from the ½. MUDVILLE was never close. DANCE PARTNER broke at the start, caught the field and moved two-wide to the half but then fell far back. TUGGIN ON MY HEART broke coming out of the turn before the start and again after the ¼, couldn’t recover.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Jul 10, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Low to mid 80s … Wind sometimes calm, and shifting … NASEY was under control early, tucked fourth 3/16, came uncovered going to the half, had an advantage but couldn’t clear late backstretch, kept going and took over for good midstretch. DART GUY left between horses and wound up with a good pocket trip, angled outside early stretch, was making up some ground very late. LADY’S IMAGE was three-wide to the 1/8 and onward to the front 3/16, got pressure from the winner most of the last half, not quite enough and just nipped for second at the very end. NICE STUFF left and yielded, couldn’t keep up entering the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and OK late. THE NEXT TWO were never factors. BLOGMASTER went second-over but gapped good cover.

SECOND RACE – DUVAL STREET bided time early outside then went into higher gear just past the 1/8 to the lead 5/16, went a fast backstretch to keep a challenger at bay, continued on speedily for a sharp win. BAY CITY got command at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 and sat the pocket trip, Pocono Pike, good but settling for second. LOUSAIN BOLT started uncovered just past the 1/2, went 26.4 to challenge in the third quarter, held on pretty well. ZEUS HANOVER left some, stayed third-in, evenly along the inside late. FULL SUPPORT was a bit slow starting, went up second-over, didn’t tip wide, so-so. WILLIAM HANOVER gapped down the back. THORN TOAD was last, couldn’t keep up.

THIRD RACE – ON THE HOUSE protected forward position, pulled from third 11/16 and went up to challenge, won easily. KADDARI looped the field, yielded just past the ¼ but retook 3/8, won a photo for second over RUFFLES N LACE. The latter was third-over, three-wide past midturn and closed a long way. A GOOD CHARDONNAY was looped early and between horses, up to gain command just past the ¼, yielded into turn two, pocket, outside stretch but couldn’t gain. EVIL GUY was uncovered on turn two, finally got cover to the 11/16 but then couldn’t stay with it, ducked all the way down into the Pocono Pike early stretch, evenly. ALDEBARAN ACRUX was about four lengths off the gate and a gapping last much of the way, was doing quite a bit better at the wire. GINA’S ON FIRE left, took back and got in at the ¼, not heard from thereafter. SAINT TRIXIE was not a major danger.

FOURTH RACE – HOPPING FASHION pulled from third 3/8 to the lead early into the clubhouse turn, strung the field out down the back, was in control in the slowish mile. HOP TO IT went into the pocket after the breaker, pulled from third past midturn, along for second. KAT ATTACK was on top, yielded into turn two, a trifle loose in the pocket, evenly late. SWEET SECRET pulled to go around a gapper ¾, finished with some trot. WISH LIST sat in, gapped ¾. WUNDERKIND HANOVER looked to be leaving when running just past the start, caught the field but couldn’t get back into the race.

FIFTH RACE – Stretch headwind picked up … SPARROW HANOVER was three-wide to the first bend and in front 3/16, responded well to a giant move from the first-over late backstretch, drew back clear late. RUSTY BEACH went to the top near the 1/8, yielded or the two-hole, gapped as the pace picked up to the ¾ and around the turn, Pocono Pike, OK in second. GRETZKY THE GREAT roared out of fourth 5/8 and paced in 26.1 to throw heat on the winner, gave a little ground after the giant move. SHARED BY ME stayed attacked, evenly. THE BACK THREE gapped out most of the last half.

SIXTH RACE – LINDYS LANDING, wide leaving, too the pocket 3/16, and stayed connected to the stretch, then to the Pocono Pike and went by CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP. The latter left between horses to 1/8 command and forced a tuck, didn’t get much pressure as the outer tier was led by a parked-the-mile horse, couldn’t hold off the pocket rocket. HS REMINGTON was third-over, three-wide midturn and closed strongly. DANCEHALL KING sat in, didn’t clear until midstretch, then slinkied in traffic while gaining. SWEDISH HAT was first on top and relinquished, third-in, inside, not enough. IT’S SNOW WONDER was out behind the parked horse, took the blindswitch far turn, not too much. FAIR KOUNTRY was three-wide near the back early, decided to press on two-wide at the 1/8, was left out in the air, held position until early stretch. SIR PINOCCHIO made a break past the 5/8 while looking to join the outer tier.

SEVENTH RACE – SMOOTH LANDING went inside a breaker early and got the lead coming off the first turn, looked to have shaken off CAPTAIN CHESLEY into the stretch but saw that one come back on, held for the triumph. The latter made a brief break early but quickly righted, moved uncovered into the second turn and gained down the back, lost a little ground straightening away but carried out doggedly while bearing out a little; an inquiry into his possibly violating the breaking rule gave no reason for placing. TOMMY BOY HANOVER left, yielded off turn one for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough. PARTY AT SEVEN backed out to second-over past the 5/8, OK late. ULURU sat in third, may have been in tight quarters deep in the Pocono Pike. NIGHT STAR offered little. MONKS HOOD S gapped cover. HESPOOKSHESCORES was bidding for the early lead when breaking at the 1/8, was taken wide.

EIGHTH RACE – Wind calm for races six and seven, now changing to a stretch tailwind … BENICIO came out of sixth early backstretch and vs. the wind plowed right on uncovered, in a big struggle with LODESTAR and gamely catching that rival on the money. The latter headed down the road, came home in 27.2 but still got caught. GET ANSWERS went to the pocket at the 1/8 and stayed close, Pocono Pike, did well but didn’t get all the right answers. AMBUSHED was a trifle loose in third most of the way around, faded. YOUNONOTHINJON would have had prime cover if he could have stayed with it. ADULT SWIM was looped early and tucked; she and WINDSUN TARA were not major late factors. BLANK CHEEK was last at every call.

NINTH RACE – FLASHY SWAN grabbed control at the ¼, rated quarter two then opened a big lead with a big third quarter, saw foes narrowing in the last ¼ but never really threatening. EVER HOPEFUL G made the front, yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, a bit loose down the back and into the turn, then closer, Pocono Pike, held well. TAILWIND PAT spotted third, moved outside late turn, couldn’t gain. BANGLES N BEADS went evenly inside. KT DOUBLE DEUCE moved outside far turn but couldn’t get closer. LIRA HANOVER started gapping 5/8. SOPHIE HANOVER dropped far back. MERCURY LANE misbehaved at the start.

TENTH RACE – NICALO HANOVER got early positioning, could wait to move uncovered until the 11/16 behind the fast pace, then grinded up and drew away. JUSTLIKEHIM was on top towards turn one, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, a bit loose much of the backstretch, Pocono Pike, along for second. ARGENTO was behind a gapper until the 5/8, moved out and wound up third-over, widest in the lane and closed OK. DA BOOGIE MAN moved second-over 11/16, not a major presence. MUSHANA sat in, went to the far inside, may have been in tight quarters. LEVITATION made the front 3/16 and rolled along, nothing left for the stretch. SIMON GOT LUCKY gapped midrace, then had no clear path late.

ELEVENTH RACE – GUYS IN THE BAND had the lead a few steps in and a big advantage to the ¼, went on at a giant clip for these, ran off and hid. MCNEILL Z TAM moved early in the backstretch from behind a gapper, got cover 5/8, three-wide for the lane and had finishing pace. BEACH VIBES tailed the place horse, never went wide from off his back until nearing the wire. LET’S GET ROCKED left a gap midrace, out in a blindswitch headstretch, edged wider and had some pace with some room late. LYONS KING tucked third, left a big gap most of the way, Pocono Pike, never a contender. I’M SPONGE WORTHY was the only horse staying close to the winner most of the way, then might’ve bottomed out chasing the fast pace. NOLAUGHINGSTOCK was behind a gapper then moved raw 5/8, advanced on a challenge, then advanced no further the last 1/8.

TWELFTH RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM was out to the ¼ for the top, rated quarter two then sped up, shook off the first-over and went clear of this collection. RYCROFT N left, yielded for the pocket, not enough to stay with the winner but held second over oncoming horses. ARTACHE HANOVER moved out to the half and quickly got cover, went up, three-wide midturn, did OK late. BOLTMAN sat in, shuffled to last, weaved for clearance in the stretch and wasn’t bad. ROPE THE MOON wound up third-over, three-wide with cover far turn, too far behind. WHAT’S GOIN ON stayed in, was not prominent. ALWAYS A LOOK tucked third at the 1/8, outside early backstretch and advanced, flattened out midturn.

THIRTEENTH RACE – HELP PAGE was three-deep to turn one to the lead 3/16, was in control throughout. DEVIOUS PROMISES was swiftest away, yielded, stayed close to midstretch, then flattened but still far clear of the rest. QUITE FAST took a tuck, went loose late backstretch, next in line. OLD MAGIC stayed out of trouble. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA gapped most of the way starting early. MISSILE was looped and outside early, broke 3/16, caught the field and moved outside down the back, then fell way back. TUXEDO ATTIRE started uncovered near the half but soon was on the run.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, July 3, 2023

Jul 9, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Mid 80s through the day; no wind to start, but that will change … STEALING was three-wide leaving, in front at the 1/8, had a challenger from just past the half, behind that one much of the backstretch but maintained the inner advantage, stayed game and got the decision late. CHOCO CHARLIE came with a rush just entering the backstretch, looked like he was going to clear to the lead but was just shy of being able to cross over, raced well but had to settle for place. STAR TRACK HANOVER sat the early pocket, backed out down the back when it looked like the first-over was going by, back to the pocket on the turn, next-best. MISS PRINCIPLE had an excess of cover, was finishing well. SO LONG HANOVER gapped second-over. NANCY BAR briefly left then settled back, could have gotten the pocket late backstretch but didn’t reach, Pocono Pike, not much. TUIS SHADOW was never close. TRICKY DICK was gapping by the 3/8 and lost contact the last half.

SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind started … RIOT went to the lead, backed off the half, then greatly benefited with confusion behind him off the second turn and opened a huge lead, gave back most of the advantage in the last quarter but had enough to hold on. PERKINS was bothered, out with cover, uncovered late turn, kept eating into the margin. PANTHEON HANOVER was wide around the trouble, left uncovered way back, got to the pocket on the turn, outpaced for second. REAGAN BLUE CHIP was right behind the breaker and made an “ix,” recovered and had the distant “pocket”, couldn’t hold that position, not a late factor. BLACKLIGHT was also affected by the trouble. STELLAR BLUE CHIP was three-high early, took the pocket 3/16, looked hard to hold sitting in in the slow second quarter, unruly and made a break before the half scattering all but the winner.

THIRD RACE – MR GRANT led from the first step to the last, slowed the half then sprinted in 28 to be in full charge, big 56.3 back half by a 2YO maiden trotter. LITTLE MARK was soon second and stayed relatively close nicely in the fast last half. ALL TOO WELL settled third at the 1/8, outtrotted a bit by the top two but still far clear of the rest. THE NEXT TWO did not have the speed to be competitive here. TWILIGHT MOTION started to gap in the backstretch and broke 5/8. I’M OUT was in(side the pylons) after a 3/16 break.

FOURTH RACE – DOUBLE DIPPIN was three-wide leaving to the top before the 1/8, set wild fractions for this class while on a huge lead, tired in the lane (31 last quarter) and kept to task to hold on to an unassailable advantage. PRAIRIE NUGGET yielded to the 1/8 and gapped from the 3/16, but narrowed in some in the last quarter. TEST MY WILL came on to catch ACTION SHOT for third; the latter left between horses and went in third at the 1/8, gapped the pocket horse from the 5/8. THE NEXT PAIR had little to offer here. PAUC HANOVER broke soon before the start; SOUTHWIND FIREBALL broke w-a-y before the start.

FIFTH RACE – GOING GREEN quarter-moved, unchallenged until going to the ¾, held off the favored closer. SECURITY PROTECTED was strung out like many of the others much of the way, outside 11/16, three-wide late turn, found good strides in the last 1/16 but was too late. MEMORYNIMAGINATION entered the picture behind the place horse far turn, initially wanted to try to split horses in the stretch then ducked further inside and did well late. FIVE SECOND RULE was immediately on top, yielded, briefly backed out to second-over but then to the pocket ¾, tired some. CAN HAVE IT ALL struggled to keep up from the 3/8 to late backstretch, little late. STICKY FINGERS was looped leaving, worked up to the top at the ¼, yielded to the winner, moved out 1/16 but didn’t have too much on the second move. MBF CONQUEST fell further and further back the last half.

SIXTH RACE – SANTA MONICA AS took the pocket early, outside ¾, proved to have the most in the late stages though going wide some. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER took control from the pole, rated the half, got pressure ¾, stayed in the middle of a three-way battle through the stretch. BARCELONA PRINCESS was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked third 3/16, up to the pocket on the turn, looked like she might have had a brief short lead inside midstretch, flattened some. TSM EMILIA T was bothered by a breaker but got back into the race well; GADOT HANOVER was bothered by the same breaker but never recovered. SELENA DEO moved from fourth 11/16 and got cover ¾, was following that cover far turn when she ran. SOUTHWIND DESI was looking to leave when going offstride. AVA MARIE broke going into turn two and went to the infield.

SEVENTH RACE – SIR FRED JONES was uncovered from way back before the 5/8, one-geared it up steadily to challenge, lead midstretch, very impressive. BIRD AND GRENADE kept the pocket tight early, to the Pocono Pike, good for second although not quite enough to withstand the winner. MODELO backed out 11/16 for cover, raced well but not as well as the winner. THIS ONEISONME wouldn’t surrender early, then backed off the half, not enough in the lane. ATLAS ROCK was three-high before turn one, challenged but was parked, took back to the three-hole after a breaker, fell back. HEYTHERBARTENDER was off the gate and never in it. GREENSPAN first broke nearing the ¼. CYCLONE BEN was wide early, spotted, looked a bit unruly in the hole before breaking to the 3/8.

EIGHTH RACE – Stretch headwind has become strong … CROWN MONARCH launched a long uncovered move 5/8 that carried him right to contention and then the lead late on the turn, maintained a safe margin. VAQUERO BLUE CHIP was quarter-mover #1 from the pocket, yielded, outside behind the winner late turn, wasn’t getting to him but was a clear second after using much energy. RIVERIA BEACH was QM#2 to the front 3/8, tired some from midturn. INTERNATIONALCRAZE went to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, couldn’t keep up in the last 1/8. SPACE EXPLORER broke w-a-y before the start, recovered and minded his manners to get a check. GREEN MEADOW sat in, backed out before the ¾ but had little. ALFAROMEO broke an 1/8 before the start, recovered, moved outside on the second turn but sputtered again coming out of that curve.

NINTH RACE – The last ¾ was 1:31.1, so many were close at the wire … DEVITO HANOVER was uncovered down the back to command 11/16, held off the late chargers. TEMPLETON advanced in then moved out in front of a gapper past midbackstretch, narrowed in just a little too late. FULL SCALE moved with cover then was left uncovered 11/16, up to challenge the winner late turn, proceeded on steadily. PRAIRIE FAMOUS gapped early then inherited the pocket to the ¼, was shuffled midturn, then went to the Pocono Pike, not very far away. WINE BAR sat in and was buried inside, came between horses with trot then was shut off nearing the wire. TO MY CREDIT made the lead at the 1/8, couldn’t fight the winner’s move 11/16, didn’t back up too far because of the slow time. ALTITUDE was in front then yielded, broke while close at the ¼, recovered and wide far turn, flattened. STRONG BREW gapped at several points.

TENTH RACE – REFORMATION went to the lead and yielded, third-in, backed out past midturn, swung four-wide and was trotting the most solidly late. HIGHLY MOTIVATED was uncovered 5/8 and kept gaining, got a DH2 tied with CARRERA HANOVER. The latter broke at the start, made up considerable ground in second-over position down the back, wide stretch, good recovery. LONELY LAKEWOOD made the front 3/16 then yielded 3/8 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough. EXECUTIVE GAME gapped down the back, deep Pike, fair. RISE went behind cover early, uncovered 3/16 to the lead 3/8, fell back through the stretch. CALL OF THE WILD broke coming of turn two.

ELEVENTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE took command 3/16, rated Q2 into the wind and didn’t get a severe challenge down the back — had many coming at him in the stretch, though, but gamely refused to surrender the lead. SOUTHWIND DREDGE was second-over behind a one-gear horse, three-wide past midturn, finished well but came up just shy. ARTIFACT HANOVER yielded 3/16 for the pocket, outside headstretch, had aim, just short. DOCTOR BB was forwardly-placed, got to the Pocono Pike, a step shy. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was uncovered into turn two, only could one-gear while not threatening. MISTER DAYTONA N was wide early then backed off, in fourth to the 3/16, not a factor late. SELECT FRIDAY didn’t enter the main picture. TERRITORY was third-over at the half but gapped the flow.

TWELFTH RACE – FORREST got the pocket leaving, loose of the fast-stepping pacesetter until before the ¾, reeled that one in far turn to take the lead, had enough to keep the winning margin as the pace (inevitably) slowed. HOLLAND HALL raced in a strung-out third-in position, behind the winner on the turn, narrowed in on that one late. MATTER OF TRUST went in fourth before the 3/16, gapped severely early backstretch, narrowed in, but could not continue forward progress. CUPID HANOVER was loose on the lead with big fractions stringing out the field, tired in the last 5/16. PRAIRIE VIRTUE never featured. STEEL SCHOONER broke right at the start. UFTON ABBY HANOVER gapped severely 11/16. KEYSTONE SERGEANT made a break in front of the stands the first time.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, July 2, 2023

Jul 7, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … Mid 70s throughout … Rain during the first race, and continuing: “fast +0” race 1, “good +1” race 2, and “sloppy +1” thereafter … PAPI HANOVER had an ideal second-over trip, wide stretch and asserted himself through the lane. JACKED had cover early, uncovered 3/16 to the top 3/8, in a fierce battle with the first-over and wouldn’t let that one cross over, good second. BRIDGE TO VICTORY pushed the pylons, forced a tuck, yielded 3/8, got a good trip behind the last-half duel, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. KEYSTONE APACHE started slowly and gapped in last much of the way, gained past a few late after the race had been decided. CHUCKY DE VIE came first-over just past the half and went 27.3 with the wind, got an advantage but never could cross over, tired. KASEVILLE left, put into the pocket 3/16, struggled from the 5/8.

SECOND RACE — …now to good +1, with the wind calm … DIRT ON MY BOOTS improved position early, vacated third 11/16 and marched right up to challenge, took the measure of CIGAR SMOKING TONY late in the sprint home. The latter was out 3/16 before claiming the lead, left alone up top until nearing the far turn, came home in 54.4 – 27.1 and still was caught. TERRY A HANOVER left, yielded for the two-hole, stayed plugged-in throughout, just a little shy late. TREVOR ONE started slowly and was gapping badly by the 1/8 with foes circling him, moved outside 5/8 but never reached the top three, passed a couple of gappers in CAPTAINS PLACE and HE’S ELECTRIC (who ironically had passed him when he gapped early).

THIRD RACE — …and now sloppy +1 … IGNATIUS HANOVER gapped second-over and was blindswitched late backstretch, did better on the turn, dropped down when the pocketsitter broke and used the Pocono Pike to take the victory. FOXY JOYCE was uncovered before turn two, gradually went up to start challenging the leader 11/16, may never have had the lead but trotted on steadily. DIVINE ZETTE was behind the gapping winner when going three-deep before the 11/16, found her best gear late to narrow in well. TSM LOYALTY T was three-wide to the first turn, took a tuck third 3/16, stayed in, out in a blindswitch past midturn, followed the path of the winner late, may not have been fully clear – hard to tell how much she had left. RAVIOLI came through between horses to assume command early, went a slow half, was challenged from late backstretch, tired. WAL STREET LADY made no moves, then had to sidestep a far turn breaker. TACTICLAND was innermost of three leavers, yielded for the pocket, started to fade at the ¾ then broke midturn.

FOURTH RACE – HUNGER STRIKE floated out and tucked third, moved out 5/8 and advanced, went by easily. FUNKY BUNCH showed sharp speed and rolled on the engine, couldn’t handle the winner but preserved second over ANTE UP HANOVER. The latter left well to secure the pocket, slightly shuffled nearing headstretch, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t get second but far ahead of the rest. SILKEN SWEET was never in the main frame. ADRIATICO HANOVER moved to the 5/8 then accepted cover, couldn’t stay with it. PYRENEES HANOVER also gapped two-wide. LAST GOODBYE went to a run at the ¼.

FIFTH RACE – BRIGHT SIDE UP was three-wide to turn one, in front at the 1/8, slowed the half, then drew away from this field. PADRE gapped inside midpack, to the Pocono Pike and just got the distant second. CELEBRITY SERENA was part of the strung-out bunch behind the winner, inside then outside early stretch, found better steps late and almost made second. BY A HOFF HANOVER left between horses for the pocket, started going loose 5/8. KEEGAN HO did not benefit from his cover, three-wide midturn, did get a payday. CREEMORE followed cover from far back but never featured. RED OVERBACH, looking a bit hard to steer at times, left some, then gapped a little, underway uncovered early in the backstretch but his bid ended at the ¾.

SIXTH RACE – It has stopped raining; the track will remain “sloppy” … REACHTHRUTHESKY AS left well and reached the pocket at the 1/8, gapped in the third quarter duel, then up the inside in the stretch and drew away. KAY SAGE got to the top easily, picked up a determined challenger off turn two and had to deal with her, finally shook that one off but couldn’t stall the pocket rocket. A CRAFTY LADY moved out with urging but gapped cover, better late then had to steer inside the drifting horse for third. THINK OF GALAXIES moved sharply 3/8 to try to get the lead but was kept out (while having a small advantage on occasion), fell back in the lane and drifted wide. SPITTING IMAGE was behind gapping cover, did not factor. CLEAR THE WAY was not prominent from third-in.

SEVENTH RACE – ASWEETBEACHHERE yielded for the pocket, sensed the 3/8 slowdown and moved to the lead, went a soft third quarter as the challenger did not arrive until near the ¾, sprinted home in 27 to control her own destiny. HUNGRY FOR MONEY worked to command just past the 1/8, backed off the tempo then let the winner go by, not quite enough quickstep from the pocket but a good second. SHOWBOAT HANOVER made up a lot of ground raw in a soft third split, then held well in a fast last quarter. AMERICAN STARLIGHT followed cover from last, not much late. SALTZ SHAKER was third-in, didn’t have enough late sprint. PD’S GEM gapped at the half then broke before the 5/8.

EIGHTH RACE – TREVOR’S ACE was three-wide to the first turn, had cover to the ¼ then went up and took the top just past the 5/16, went head-to-head with CURBSIDE PICKUP starting at the 5/8, got away a little bit headstretch but still needed to go on to defeat his stubborn foe. The latter started uncovered 5/16, reached the leader by the 5/8 and got into a big tussle with him, stayed close considering the raw ground he had to cover. EDDARD HANOVER was inside other leavers and didn’t yield easily, finally did 5/16 for the pocket, a little loose in the fast third split, outside in the stretch and got close as the speed slackened a mite late. BEACH TOWN BOY was five-wide early, took back to tuck, then outside behind a sluggish one, ducked inside, raced better than the line would suggest. ROSE RUN WOODROW wasn’t prominent. A STUD NAMED SAM backed out to second-over but couldn’t keep up. KYUQUOT followed the place horse outside early but never reached contention. CALYPSO ROCK N left, finally took the pocket at the ¼, all done at the 11/16.

NINTH RACE – MUFASA AS quarter-moved and was far clear from the half on. REAL MCCOY moved to go around the gapping pocketsitter before the 11/16, tucked back in the two-hole, outside stretch and bore out almost to the outside fence, still a clear second. FIX-IT-UP was right behind the place horse, wound up out three-wide through the turn while a bit steppy, moving best of the rest late. SON OF LIBERTY came out in a blindswitch far turn, photoed for third. PHANTOM RUSTY sat third-in, eased out towards the ¾ to avoid a shuffle, had little late. MY BOY CHRISTIAN gapped at the back. CRITICAL MASS never reached critical mass. CRAZY ABOUT PAT went on to the lead at the 1/8, surrendered it to the winner, started going backwards from the pocket from the ½.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, July 1, 2023

Jul 6, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind on a warm day … URBAN RENEWAL came out 11/16 but gapped cover until midstretch when he was still fifth, then edged wider and had the most pace as the tempo slowed. THE DARK SHADOW was hung just past a 25.3 opener, yielded for the pocket, pulled same before the ¾, battled solidly home after hard involvement. ELWELL had cover until the ¼ then went on to take over 3/8, continued the torrid pace with pressure from the ¾, held the lead until the final steps. PLAY THE FIELD pushed the monstrous opener before yielding, inside, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. BENJI’S BEST was third-over, narrowed in from last. GONNAHAVEONEMORE gapped the early battle most of the way to the half, inside, deep Pike, not enough. … ELWELL was claimed for a track-record-equaling $40,000.

SECOND RACE – GENTLE GIANT was three-wide early then two-wide into the first turn to the lead 3/16, refused to let the parked horse go, shook off the bid of the sweeper, then went on solidly to defeat CAPTAIN ROMANCE. The latter left well, forced one tuck then yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, had his shot but came up just short. STOP STARING was between horses early and took back, sat in until mid-far turn, wide, gained some but not enough. TOPVILLE SOMROCKET was out second-over before the half, three-wide to the 5/8 to two-wide uncovered late backstretch, challenged, gave ground little by little in the lane. JK STANDINGOVATION was last, didn’t enter the picture. GOOD DEAL gapped inside 5/8. MUDVILLE was outleft and had cover to the ¼ then was left out in the air, urged but could not clear the winner, faded after being looped.

THIRD RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER took back to third early, moved around the gapping pocket horse and got close to the leader, outside headstretch and went right on by. AMERICA’S GUEST followed the winner at a distance. AWESOMENESS retucked, outside late turn, some on the end. SOUTHPORT BEACH made two moves, had a big lead before midbackstretch as the pocket horses faded but then had the winner catch up, tiring late. ER VEGAS offered little. CHEYENNE REIJANE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the 26.1 quarter, yielded for the pocket, all done at the half.

FOURTH RACE – AGGIORNAMENTO had great cover second-over, tipped wide early in the lane, up in the last couple steps. BULLY BOY HILL was uncovered not long into the backstretch, grinded away, got a very short lead deep stretch, just missed after a big mile. KINDA LUCKY LINDY moved at the ¼, briefly had cover then took the lead in front of the stands, under duress most of the last half, ahead until very late. GREAT MAGIC was by far the fastest away, saw two go by early, stayed in and was shuffled, found room before midstretch, evenly late. ONE AFTER NINE gapped cover third-over. MACMORRIS HANOVER moved from second 3/16 to the lead to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, started gapping 11/16.

FIFTH RACE — CAVIART LUCA was three-wide to the 1/8, was shut out of a hole and went up before the ¼ to challenge for the lead, couldn’t clear despite urging, fell back nearing the very fast ¾ but then regathered on the turn, drifted wide but continued gamely to catch the tiring ODDS ON DELRAY in a 30.1 last quarter. The latter was parked to a 26 quarter then gave the winner the cold shoulder, seemed to have dispensed him before the ¾ and went clear, but then tired after the speed show. A FEARSOME HANOVER was away slowly and far back in last, along for the distant third. COWBOY COOL also gapped, outside late turn, evenly. ROLLINWITHAMBITION pushed the quick quarter then yielded, got loose past the 5/8. ART SCENE shut a hole 3/16, then was not heard from again.

SIXTH RACE – GRAPPLE HANOVER left hard, refused to yield to one foe forcing him to take back into the pocket, then did yield to the next opponent before turn two, sat the two-hole, just up along the inside as the pace slowed. ARCHIBALD quarter-moved behind cover, briefly three-wide 5/16 and built up enough steam to go by before the second turn, was challenged down the back and through the turn, shook off that opponent then just missed as caught up the inside. SEVENTIER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide, couldn’t go by the leader to the 3/8 but was able to tuck behind him, on the go again 5/8 and attacked raw, held well considering the tough trip. SKYWAY KON MAN was between horses early then tucked fourth, which turned out to be the pocket past the ¼, but gapped allowing a tuck, out second-over but didn’t have much. ALLINDOTIME wasn’t a factor inside; SORTIE wasn’t a factor outside. TRUEMASS VOLO broke coming off the first turn.

SEVENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND OZZI worked to the lead 3/16, rated the half then really had to speed up under a big challenge from PEACE OUT POSSE from just past the 5/8 all the way to the wire. The latter came out of third coming out of the second turn, found full stride and went 26.1 to argue with the winner down the back, very good but second-best now. HEZA KINGSLAYER N, slightly off the gate, started uncovered into turn two and got cover coming out of that bend, gapped in the big third panel but got closer on the turn, ducked to the Pocono Pike, raced well but didn’t have the steps of the top two. KASHED UP A was last, wide and gained late. THE WALL couldn’t keep up along the inside. ACTON HANOVER yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, couldn’t keep up against the warring front two from the 11/16. PARK OFFICIAL moved outside but couldn’t get into it.

EIGHTH RACE – IMAGINARY LINE headed right down the road, had enough speed to keep BUILDING BOOST outside, then could draw away from that one late. The latter moved uncovered not far into the backstretch and speed-grinded in 26.2 the third quarter to challenge, gave a little bit of ground gradually. FRISKIE ALL NITE was three-wide to the first turn, in third at the 1/8, gapped when the pace picked up, a distant third. MODERN ROCK was out behind nonadvancing cover that he had to steer around that one when he broke, so-so late. SANTAFE’S COACH left and went into the two-hole at the 1/8, started to let loose 11/16 and fell back. BULLVILLE STEPHANO was second-over but gapped his cover, then broke far turn.

NINTH RACE – KENZIESKY HANOVER tucked third and gapped a little late first turn, then quarter-moved, didn’t have anybody reach her and won nicely. DONATO PATRIOT K was uncovered early in the backstretch and one-geared up, fought on steadily but never reached the winner. SHADOWFAX gapped second-over, then had better trot towards the end of the mile. DIEHARD SEELSTER was seventh at the “START” point but used track geometry and a burst of speed to be on top nearing the 1/8, yielded to the winner to sit the pocket, went a bit loose nearing the ¾. COLLEGE TUITION left well, took the pocket at the 1/8, sat in, not clear far turn but not tight on the horse directly in front, Pocono Pike, not much response. MARION GONDOLIER was looped before the first turn and took back, did not factor. THE LAST TWO were always at the back.

TENTH RACE – JOESSTAR OF MIA A was in front before the 25.4 opener, got some breather in quarter two then turned on the jets again, came home in 55 to hold off ILIKEMEBETTOR A. The latter was away swiftly and kept up in the pocket, outside to headstretch, gained a little. CODE CRACKER gapped in quarter two then tighter, Pocono Pike, did well. AFLAME HANOVER sat in, was doing OK late then shut off nearing the wire. SONNY WEAVER N moved uncovered but got only to the pocket horse’s wheel, kept at it well. MIRRAGON A was out before the half and got cover which didn’t advance too well, three-wide headstretch, OK from an impossible spot.

ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN FANCY moved 3/16 to the lead 5/16, saw most of these left well behind trailing a gapper and went 26.3 down the back with only SPRINGSTEEN staying close, drew away from that one late. The latter was away quickly, yielded, stayed connected but in doing so was robbed of any rally. BINGE ON YANKEE was locked in in last, used the deep Pocono Pike for the very far back third slot. BETTOR ROLL ON A sat in and was stuck behind a gapper, to the Pike, couldn’t quite take third. BULLVILLE FRANK had sluggish cover, wide, got the last check. WESTERN PERCH gapped a bit the first half and then more and more in the second half. DONT JUDGE A BOOK tried to make up ground uncovered but did not.

TWELFTH RACE – STENDAHL HANOVER left inside three of his six rivals and put them all in behind, sped up with the wind down the back and opened a huge lead, appeared to be coasting late as SHVAIKO got closer. The latter defended the pocket, left a big gap through much of the last half, did narrow the margin a bit late and far ahead of the rest. LAST MACH had nonadvancing cover second-over, wide and the distant third. REGAL ESCAPE was uncovered at the half but never reached the same zip code as the winner. PARMESAN N was three-wide until before the 3/16 then tucked, not a forward factor thereafter. SOMBODYITREASURE was four-wide early, tucked fourth, far back. SPORTY DRAGON lost contact with the others down the back.

THIRTEENTH RACE – DANCE PARTNER left and got the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, then outfooted JK OBJECTION from midstretch home. The latter cleared 3/16 in the 26.1 opener, got a breather, then came under pressure down the back, held decently but settled for second. QUICK SNAP was uncovered early backstretch, urged but didn’t get closer than the leader’s wheel until past midturn, finished steadily. YS DO IT RIGHT moved three-wide from second-over midturn, didn’t quite reach. JACKIE MOON took back early, followed cover two- and three-wide, wider in the lane and did well late. STONEBRIDGE DUEL sat in, evenly without a clear stretch path. TRUTHBTOLDBLUECHIP didn’t get into the main mix. OUTWIT OUTRUN was four-high to the first turn, soon thereafter two-wide and advancing frontward when breaking before the ¼.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Jul 3, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE —  “Fast +0” race one; “sloppy +1” races two to eight; “good +1” after that … ROCKIN MARTY moved from third 3/16 but was left out almost another quarter mile before finally obtaining the lead, the best here in fast time for this class. CAVIART ROCKLAND was on top at the 1/8, made it tough on the winner before yielding, Pocono Pike and wouldn’t go away in the stretch. MR CENSI got the early two-hole, uncovered late backstretch, OK. HEREITIZ moved out off turn two, finally got cover but then gapped it, steadily late. BIG BOSS HILL was behind a tired horse then backed out 11/16 to avoid a shuffle, did get the last check. NIGHT OUT tucked fourth at the 1/8, not much the last 3/8. GUMPTION gapped early at the back, never got close.

SECOND RACE – Rain between races, changing the track over to “sloppy” … MARINER SEELSTER was second early as there was only one leaver, moved before the ¼ to take over, looked to be comfortable throughout. MCNEIL Z TAM was the only strong leaver, yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, clearly second-best. DIAMOND HEAD was uncovered to the second turn, gained down the back but no closer than the winner’s wheel midturn, tired some. BOLTMAN sat in third, so-so; ROCK THREE TIMES also didn’t do much after an inside trip. BEACH VIBES didn’t have great cover third-over, wide stretch and had a bit finishing. SUNKEN TREASURE gapped second-over. ALADDIN HANOVER never factored.

THIRD RACE – BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was wide leaving, tucked in the early pocket, moved uncovered into turn two, went a big third quarter raw to challenge, saw the leader get away a bit into the stretch but was relentless and just up. SHARED BY ME was looped early, in gear 3/16 and pressed on to the top, rated the half then had to pick it up dramatically when the winner challenged hard, briefly clear again early stretch but just failed to hold.  CLEVELAND B MIKI was second-over, gapped, closer on the turn and wide stretch, with late pace. FUN MUNKY stayed in, gapped in the fast third quarter, outside late turn, had to hesitate upper stretch waiting for room between horses, then OK. BARNEY HANOVER forced a tuck, yielded to a brusher for the pocket, went loose to the 5/8. WHERES GREG did not factor. GAYLE’S ARSENAL gapped in the back.

FOURTH RACE – NOTTINGHAM got away fourth, moved 3/8 during the very slow second split to take the lead, looked in control thereafter. ROYAL PRECEDENT was outside 3/16 before taking over, yielded towards turn two, not tight on the leader down the back but closer on the turn, did well for second. SIR PINOCCHIO moved outside late backstretch, went around a gapper and ducked back in, to the Pocono Pike and next. CREEDMORE, a bit off the gate, was second-over, three-wide late turn, evenly. ATTIS ROCK was also slightly off the gate but rushed through, moved uncovered as the winenr cleared, kept coming up on the turn then faded. THE NEXT DUO were never close. MBF CONQUEST took the lead then yielded, inside, loose 5/8, broke far turn and went inside the course.

FIFTH RACE – IM HUNGRY left and tucked third, moved 5/16 and quickly took over the lead, came home in 55.1 – 27.1 to prevail over BAY CITY. The latter took the top before the 3/16 then yielded to the winner for the pocket, moved outside early stretch and did well to gain into the fast last quarter. ZEUS HANOVER left well, yielded, stayed third-in, outside stretch and also with good late foot. ERINWOOD YVES tucked fourth, sat in, good up the inside late. MARRIED MAN was outside, three-wide midturn as cover stalled, couldn’t reach. VARNEY went out raw early in the backstretch but didn’t reach the wheel of the pocket horse before tiring. NOLAUGHINGSTOCK trailed the field.

SIXTH RACE – “Clubhouse turn headwind” starting up … FOOLISH GAMES was looped early, went to the lead 3/8 and got a slow half, had her closest challenger break on the far turn and then the new closest challenger also break, won comfortably. PARTY AT SEVEN left, yielded, stayed in, up into the pocket after a late far turn breaker, Pocono Pike, couldn’t summon enough late. GRAND SLAM HERO stayed onstride. THE GOOD BOOK broke early, recovered and caught the field, didn’t break in the second half and was next. AVA MARIE was out and rolling uncovered past the 3/8, had a brief short lead late backstretch, still challenging when breaking past the ¾. ULURU was wide leaving, three-high to the 1/8, and on to the lead past that spot, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, went to a gallop past midturn and went inside. ALDEBARAN BURST was third-over, was trying to get closer after the second-over broke but she herself ran late backstretch. YO CARTER was out second-over but broke at the half.

SEVENTH RACE – STARS OVER DOVER took over right away, had only one stay close to her while setting a fast pace for this kind until the last 1/8, then drew away. GET THE PICTURE was well back until the ¾, went around a gapper, came on for the distant second. MELODRAMA stayed right behind the fast-going leader until the stretch, then was absolutely empty. BANGLES N BEADS was never a factor. QUEEN OF THORNTON gapped most of the way. LIRA HANOVER was last throughout, broke in the lane.

EIGHTH RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N left between horses to command into turn one, yielded, retook, came under pressure, but was able to stay safely clear. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was three-deep to curve one, on top past the 1/8, yielded 3/8, tried hard along the inside late. LOVE THAT SMILE was second-over, three-wide midturn, along for third over DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE. The latter rode third-in most of the way, OK along the inside late. BULLVILLEKARLA was third-over, three-wide with cover far turn, evenly. TRAFFIC JAM was uncovered shortly after the 3/8, went after the leader, but tired on the far turn. BYE BYE MICHELLE was never close. CHELSEAS TWILIGHT was gapping from early on and lost contact down the back.

NINTH RACE – Track now rated “good +1” … ANNA’S WISH took control of the pace early, went briefly clear at the ¾, had enough to retain the advantage as SWEET HOME narrowed in. The latter was second-over, three-wide mid-far turn, finished strongly. YOUNONOTHINJON gapped inside much of the backstretch then got closer, angled across the track upper stretch and finished with pace on the far outside. ON THE MONEY GB was three-wide to the 1/8 then backed off to tuck third 3/16, uncovered second turn, began to give a little ground from the ¾. WILD BLUE WONDER gapped much of the first half, not a major danger. FOX VALLEY CACHET was not on the radar. ADULT SWIM left between horses, backed off past the 1/8 to get into the two-hole, tired through the last 5/16. CARIS was never prominent.

TENTH RACE – ARGENTO moved quickly out of fifth into the backstretch and challenged raw a long long way, took over midstretch and withstood NICALO HANOVER. The latter was third-in, came out behind the winner far turn, went wide before midstretch and was eating up the real estate late. LADY’S IMAGE left well to secure the pocket, had a shot up the Pocono Pike but didn’t quite have the steps. JUSTLIKEHIM went along on the lead, had heavy pressure from the winner, a bit tired late. ITS A HORSE tucked fourth, then backed out to second-over but couldn’t stay with cover. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT broke early. MUSHANA broke 3/16. NASEY was trying to crash through the gate and went to a run before the start.

ELEVENTH RACE – Now, a stretch headwind … MONKS HOOD S set the pace, rated the half as CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was content to trot two-wide, apparently had shaken that one off headstretch, bore out a little, saw the other come back gamely late but prevailed. The latter was left on the rim throughout, not enough speed to clear but went with great determination to just miss. MISS HALL was just behind a breaker before the ¾, went inside the runner then angled out in front of a gapper, wider and was doing well late. QUEEN CAMILLE was in the outside flow, gapped, found room in tight quarters between horses early stretch and came on at the end. ALTITUDE came out at the half, got closer to his cover, then ducked in on the turn, evenly. LINDYS LANDING kept the pocket closed behind the duel, was in a good spot when making a break late on the turn. DANCEHALL KING was very wide early, took back behind cover, went in fourth 3/16, broke before the ¾.

TWELFTH RACE – TREVOR ONE was carried up perfectly second-over, wide headstretch and to the lead towards midstretch, withstood IM A POWERPLAY A. The latter left strongly, forced a rival to go a 26 quarter to get the lead, sat in the pocket, started angling out past early stretch and got all the way to widest midstretch, very well late. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was uncovered to turn two and attacked, had the lead from early backstretch until midstretch but could not clear and cross over, a very tough mile. DRUNKONAPLANE yielded, stayed in the pocket during the big second half duel, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. KB MAC was strung out to a 26 scorcher before clearing, under attack from the half and would not let the first-over go by, stayed in the fight until midstretch, then gave way a little (understandably). ANOTHERSTATEMENT A gapped third-over. BULLVILLE TERROR was at the rear, never a factor. YANKEE BOOTS tried a three-wide move from fourth-over ¾ but didn’t gain.

THIRTEENTH RACE – WALLET sat third, got closer late backstretch, outside midturn, looked like he was going to go by even before the late incident. HOLY BEING sat the pocket after the outside challenger broke to the 1/4, to the Pocono Pike, close to the leader when he went offstride and may have been in tight quarters, got back together and was second. SILENT NIGHT saw an early rival break and set the pace, was still on the lead midstretch but broke, placed for LOB. FAMOUS DAN went evenly. THE NEXT PAIR were far back. BUDWEISER GIRL was wide early, proceeded up and may have been ready to clear before breaking just before the ¼.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, June 26, 2023

Jul 2, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – High to mid-70s … Rain came in – track rated “fast” 1-8, “good +1” 9, and “sloppy +1” 10-13 … Shifting winds, with a stretch headwind to start … BEER CHEESE yielded 3/16 and sat in the pocket behind a contested front end, to the Pocono Pike and by easily. NICE STUFF made the lead 3/16, kept a rival parked, saved second over MISS MUSCLE. The latter had forward positioning, trapped inside until after early stretch, then could move out and made up some ground. SMART AS HILL was wide then parked with cover to the 3/16, tried hard with urging to clear and was ahead but couldn’t cross over, held ground very well for being out every call. STEALING moved out towards turn two, three-wide 5/8 but only went evenly. KEYSTONE APACHE rode inside, little late. ARCHIBALD had non-flowing cover, little chance from far back.

SECOND RACE – PANTHEON HANOVER went to the pocket at the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, surged very late and proved the best in a three-way photo. TODDLER TANTRUM headed right down the road, got pressure mid-far turn, held on until very late. ARTACHE HANOVER was urged leaving, got away third, outside ¾, one-geared home while bearing out and not far off. REAGAN BLUE CHIP circled the rest for a distant fourth. THE NEXT TWO got around a backstretch gapper but couldn’t get catch up with the top three. RUNHAPPY TEN left a gap from the 3/16, faded way back and was pulled up. EFFRONTE A developed a problem at the 1/8.

THIRD RACE – JOLLY RANCHER put everybody in behind in a good quarter for this class, got a rest to the half, had the first-over get to his wheel ¾ but never let him get any closer. DONATELLO HANOVER got early positioning, uncovered past the 5/8 and reached the leader’s wheel ¾, held well. PAUC HANOVER was three-wide early then tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over, gapped then tighter on the turn, then faded some but clearly third. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was four-wide early and got into the two-hole 3/16, started going loose ¾. ACTION SHOT was slightly off the gate, passed the others. THE NEXT TWO were not contenders. SEMINOLE MOON gapped inside, to the Pocono Pike but made a break midstretch.

FOURTH RACE – BRIDGE TO VICTORY was wide early and out past a 26.3 quarter to get the lead, but rated the half and had no problems the rest of the way. GRIZZLY BARE was the innermost of the quickest leavers, maintained the pocket, stayed close until the far turn, held for second at 80-1. SWIZZLE HANOVER was between horses early, tucked, had a chance for second in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite reach. STEEL SCHOONER avoided the clogged outer tiers, a bit of trot late. BANG BANG BOINGA was second-over, three-wide ¾ but didn’t get close. TEDDY BROSEVELT was uncovered at the half, gained some then fell back sharply in the last stanza. FORREST broke at the ¼ and went to the centerfield.

FIFTH RACE – SOUTHWIND FIREBALL spotted third, uncovered 11/16, found his best gear midstretch and just had the time to catch PRAIRIE FAMOUS. The latter was going down the road, rated the half then had a clear lead from past that point until just past midstretch, then couldn’t hold off the winner’s late move. FAIR KOUNTRY went up to get the pocket, little left late. DEVITO HANOVER broke before the first turn, caught the field, came on late with some trot in recovery. STRONG BREW was inside, had to avoid the breaking HS REMINGTON near headstretch; the latter gapped throughout, then ran late far turn.

SIXTH RACE – LOUSAIN BOLT was on the move from fourth 3/16 to hit the top to the 3/8, sped up down the backstretch to bottom these out and won handily. RUSTY BEACH took the two-hole before the 3/16, stayed in third, then moved out early stretch and gained though not threatening the winner. MOTLEY RAY showed speed, yielded to the winner, stayed relatively close but didn’t have much left for the stretch drive. HUNGRY TO SUCCEED was uncovered on turn two but never reached the wheel of the third-in horse; RICARDOSHILYSHALLY was behind this dull cover, three-wide far turn but did not gain. THE OTHERS offered very little.

SEVENTH RACE – PORTULACA cleared to the lead before the 3/16, slowed the half, remained in control. QUARANTINA made the lead early then relinquished for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, stayed close to the winner to the wire. KINGPIN HANOVER was last when pulling outside nearing the ¼, got cover but it gained little, so three-wide 11/16 to two-wide far turn, kept coming very grittily. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME stayed connected in third, little along the inside late. MISSILE was bearing way out in the lane. QUITE FAST was uncovered early on turn two but couldn’t live up to her name today. UNRESOLVED DEBT broke past the 5/16. GETTING ALLFIREDUP gapped down the back then broke 11/16.

EIGHTH RACE – Rain started this race, and the wind went calm … BARCELONA PRINCESS yielded and stayed third-in, came out after the ¾ and moved sharply to challenge and get the lead into the stretch, withstood a late challenge to either side. RAVIOLI was very wide early, spotted fifth 3/16, was behind the winner far turn and followed that one out, had a clear path but couldn’t catch the winner. FLASHY SWAN reluctantly took the pocket nearing the ¼, crucially shuffled late far turn, couldn’t regain any momentum to get closer and was nosed for second. KT DOUBLE DEUCE forced a lot of tucks, slowed the half then sped up to a clear lead, was reeled in. IT’S SNOW WONDER got a check. EVER HOPEFUL G had unhelpful cover, three-wide far turn, not that much. MY FRIEND KELLY was wide early, tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved out down the back but made little impact. SOPHIE HANOVER broke well before the start, almost caught the field then fell back.

NINTH RACE – “Pelting rain” as the track goes to “good +1” … WENTWORTH HANOVER drifted up three-wide to the 1/8 then got in gear and made the lead by the fast ¼, set the pace and was resilient late. SMOOTH LANDING moved uncovered at the 5/8, ducked inside when the pocketsitter pulled out late turn, continued to gain. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN left for the lead, yielded for the pocket, moved outside late turn, gained a little then held OK but did lose a little ground. POWHATAN moved second-over, gapped. PRAIRIE NUGGET was caught in and shuffled far turn, not much late. NIGHT STAR went to a tuck third past the 1/8, tired ¾. BUDDY EARL was outside but wasn’t close when breaking far turn.

TENTH RACE — …and the track is now “sloppy +1” … Wind shifting, almost a second turn headiwnd … WEATHER VANES didn’t mind the change in weather at 18-1, going to the lead right away, rating the half and then being clear until the stretch, then held off the charge of MANDRILL. The latter sat third until almost the ¾, found her best strides just a touch too late. SOME KINDA CRAZY moved outside far turn, also making up late ground. EVIL GUY went up to the pocket 3/16, a bit loose of the leader much of the way, evenly in the Pocono Pike late. RUFFLES N LACE went an even mile. LADY LIRA came outside but didn’t gain. UNO MAS BLUE CHIP jumped right at the start.

ELEVENTH RACE – Rain stopped … Wind shifted to stretch tailwind … PARK SLOPE was parked to the ¼, set the pace, saw off the first-over and drew clear. MIDWIND SUCCESS was outside from last at the half, followed the cover of the early backstretch sweeper, left uncovered on the turn, stayed game to be just along for second. CHEROKEE JOY went around the parked out horse early backstretch to go first-over into the wind, into the pocket far turn, just photoed for the deuce. SANTA MONICA AS took back to tuck, kept a hole closed, backed out to get into the three-wide tier but never got close. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER was caught behind a wedge far turn and couldn’t recover. TSM EMILIA T went very wide early, shopped for a tuck late first turn but never found one, was looped to the 5/8 and faded. WAL STREET LADY forced the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, went loose past the 5/8, broke while fading. BT BABE ran coming off turn two.

TWELFTH RACE – IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING was three-wide past the 1/8 and then to command past the ¼, went on at a good clip, kept challenger STELLAR BLUE CHIP at bay. The latter was uncovered in the backstretch and advanced with speed to contend, held well for second. LORD OF MISRULE pushed the early action then yielded, backed out to second-over 5/8, gapped, into the “pocket” on the turn, next. SOUTHWIND DREDGE moved out before the half, one-geared with cover steadily. THE NEXT TWO were not factors. MIDNIGHT DAY was shuffled back. FRED’S NIGHT left between horses to the lead at the 1/8, yielded just past the ¼, all done 5/8.

THIRTEENTH RACE – …and back to a mild stretch headwind for the last … GREEK LEGEND was gapping midpack down the back, in a better gear ¾, outside, wide and along in time. MATTER OF TRUST went fast-slow-fast on the lead, caught late. TUXEDO ATTIRE went to the far outside and came a long way in the (slowing) last 1/16, picking up laboring foes for third. CUPID HANOVER went into the pocket at the 1/8, just didn’t have much to give late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT came raw off turn two, gained mildly, then flattened. CRITICAL MASS sat in third and was caught in when the pocketsitter and first-over tired, didn’t appear to have much once clear. PRAIRIE VIRTUE may have wanted to leave some but broke early, caught the field, three-wide ¾ but didn’t gain. MUSCLES D’ORO followed cover but gapped, faded.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, June 25, 2023

Jul 1, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Warm most of the evening; a touch cooler near the end … Stretch tailwind to start … KINDA LUCKY LINDY took back from a wide early position to tuck fourth, uncovered 5/8 and went right by into the far turn, opened up a big lead. TRUEMASS VOLO went up between horses for pocket positioning, backed out ¾ as the winner went by, left uncovered on the turn, good for second. JACKED was out behind the winner but gapped letting a foe out, did not tip wide in the stretch, evenly. CAVIAR’S YANKEE gapped in front of the stands then narrowed in, had an excess of cover, went between horses midstretch with some trot. KEEGAN HO got a forward spot early, gapped a bit, sat in, blocked late far turn, to the Pocono Pike but no gain in recovery. PAPI HANOVER was three-deep to turn one and took the top at the 1/8, set the pace, no response when challenged late backstretch. THE OTHER TWO were always well back.

SECOND RACE – BIRDIE THREE headed down the road, opened a clear lead in quarter two and an even bigger one in quarter three, had foes coming after her to both sides as tiring late but had enough. EAZY HUNTING was second-over far off the leader, uncovered on the final turn and made steady progress in the last quarter but the leader was just too far gone. PAIGE PERFECT moved uncovered 5/8 and got to the pocket just past the ¾, Pocono Pike, just a little shy. HERS HUNGRY was last, sidestepped a breaker early turn then swung wide in the stretch and finished strongly. SUNSHINE CHIP did get a check. HONEYMOON TRAIL left for the pocket, loose in varying degrees from in front of the stands. SANTAFE’S APPETITE went outside but broke early far turn.

THIRD RACE – TWIGGS PUB went through between horses and was on top 3/16, yielded off the first turn then moved to retake 3/8 in a slow half, opened a big lead while coming home in 57 – 28. STEAM PLAY left well, yielded 3/16, sat in, shuffled, Pocono Pike and decisioned CONCEALED for the deuce. The latter was three-wide well past the 1/8, on top into the stretch for the first time, yielded to the retaking winner, gapped almost all of the last half, just missed retaining place. PRICE OF MEMORIES was showing speed when breaking before the first turn, recovered, made another break at the ¼ bothering a foe, recovered again and moved up uncovered, had gotten all the way to second far turn before tiring, would have been in the photo for second except placed for causing interference. ANTE UP HANOVER was behind the breaker at the ¼, moved out and got to second-over, three-wide headstretch, not far off second herself. SILKEN SWEET gapped inside, then swung wide in the lane and had some late foot.

FOURTH RACE – DUCHESS HILL took back early, tagged along until nearing the ¾ then uncovered, kept coming steadily, with her own last quarter in 26.4 – and how often is there an $85.00 Dexter Dunn winner? CANTGETUOUTAMYMIND went to the lead near the 1/8, yielded to a brusher, gapped in the pocket early backstretch then closer late down the back, Pocono Pike, closed well but outpaced. BELTARA moved from third 3/16 and went to the lead, got a breather in quarter two, but then didn’t have the necessary sprint late. LADYTERRA had speed, yielded, third-in the outside headstretch, not all that far off. TALLCHIEF HANOVER gapped leading the second half of the field, then did much better in the last quarter. THE OTHERS were in the trailing spots throughout.

FIFTH RACE – BRONX BARISTA, on a line, didn’t want to go in a hole early, moved up 5/16 to the lead before the 5/8, stayed on a line to the wire but was game to hold off two late challengers. MILLIE’S SPIRIT quarter-moved from the pocket, saw the winner go by early backstretch, outside headstretch, pursued gamely to the line. CHRIS’S CHOICE spotted third, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and loomed midstretch, but flattened out a little in the closing steps. LADY DEVINE left for the early lead, yielded, next well ahead of the others. THE NEXT THREE never entered in the main radar. SHOWBOAT HANOVER spotted fourth, moved out at the half and was making up ground raw when jumping 11/16.

SIXTH RACE – BUTTERFINGERS left and was three-wide to the ¼, briefly got cover then uncovered and on to the lead into turn two, held together for the victory. AMBUSHED was three-wide just past the 1/8 for the lead, finally yielded 3/8, third-in, came on well in the Pocono Pike to just miss. CALLIOPE HANOVER was between horses in a battle that lasted almost to the 3/8, yielded for the pocket, came out headstretch and looked a possible winner but hit the wall deep stretch. ULTIMATE LOULOU was uncovered 5/8, fell back on the turn, checked right at the wire. LULU ROCKS sat in and was blocked, evenly in the lane then ran up on a tiring horse at the wire. BLANK CHEEK never factored. ROMANTIC EVENING was far back, wide off the far turn, never in the main picture. DOLE WHIP was second-over, moved three-wide far turn but clogged that lane.

SEVENTH RACE – CHECK HER OUT caused a lineup, rated the half then was clear the final half, coming home in 57.3 – 28.1. FOXY JOYCE was a bit loose in the two-hole the last half, still raced well. TACTICLAND couldn’t go with the top two from midbackstretch. TSM LOYAL S avoided an early breaker, gained moving uncovered down the back, couldn’t continue the gain in the fast last panel. DIVINE ZETTE didn’t show much. LEAST WEASEL avoided the early misbehaver, then never entered in contention. MISSISSIPPI GALE gapped early then ran at the ¼.

EIGHTH RACE – Wind swirling to a mild stretch headwind (if at all blowing) by this point … ALWAYS B NAUGHTY was reserved just off a fast early pace, came uncovered 5/8 and kept on grinding up toward the lead, took over entering the stretch and drew away. ODDS ON HAIL MARY was kept outside in a stiff quarter, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, backed out early stretch and proved second-best. FRONT PAGE STORY was very wide early, left uncovered at the ¼ and made the lead 3/8, kept up a fast pace, not enough. SQUARE DEAL was stuck in far turn, came up the Pocono Pike to be a distant next. HUNGRY FOR LOVE pushed the quarter and yielded, gapped much of the last ¼. HALLELUJAH HANOVER moved out ¾ but didn’t contend. MOLLOP HANOVER moved outside with cover but couldn’t go with it, then broke 11/16.

NINTH RACE – RACIN HUNGRY established the pocket, moved midturn just as her main foe did, took the lead entering the lane, hard-urged to withstand SOUTHWIND ICENFIRE. The latter left a small gap in third to the ¾ then in a faster gear, stayed two-wide late turn, surging late with good kick but just missed. PROUD MARY was on top at the 1/8 and set the pace, went a fast third quarter without pressure, couldn’t deal with the top two. LODESTAR trailed, swung widest and was moving well late if belatedly. MISS BRICKLEY gapped throughout. TO ALL A GOODNIGHT was weakly uncovered, no factor. HUNGRY FOR KISSES came up empty.

TENTH RACE – “C”-ing is believing … C IS FOR COOKIE took over early, forced a tuck, then yielded 3/8 to an early brusher, pulled from third raw 11/16, advanced and took the lead before midstretch, went on gamely. MY LITTLE CAPTAIN came out at the ¼ in tight quarters with the favorite, made the lead 3/8 then yielded at the half, to the Pocono Pike, second-best; an inquiry into the tight quarters at the ¼ yielded no reason for placing. DAFFLED HANOVER made up a lot of ground after being behind a bad gapper. ZANATTA left, took the pocket, stayed connected and backed out with cover ¾, OK. CULTURED was very wide early, was advancing when a foe pulled at the ¼, followed that one to the 3/8 then pressed on to take the top in a speedy half, paid the price for her early efforts late. THE NEXT TWO were never factors. GINGER TREE COCO, wide early, was wrestled back into a tuck late first turn, had her air shut off and gradually faded, was pulled up.

ELEVENTH RACE – HOW SWEET IS THAT was fastest away, relinquished, stayed in third, got Pocono Pike room as the pocketsitter moved outside, just along. MY HUNGRY GIRL quarter-moved, rated the second split then picked up the pace in the third, almost held on. LATE FOR DINNER left wide, outside 3/16 to take over, yielded for the pocket, outside into the stretch, raced well but pictured out. FALANA HANOVER was second-over, came on strongly once finding her best gear. SWEET PHENOMENA sat in, had stretch clearance but only moderate pace. LEGAL JEOPARDY was uncovered past the 5/8, never threatened but held her ground well. THE OTHER TWO were the last two throughout although not too far off at the wire.

TWELFTH RACE – QUICK E left between horses to 3/16 command, yielded but retook, left the field behind with a big third panel and won easily. PERCY HANOVER gapped at a couple of points, moved uncovered then got cover, closed for second. HUNGRY LIZZO was in the outside flow, some late. FRONDEUR stayed in, shuffled late far turn, found inside clearance but didn’t have a great response. UTOPIA BLUE CHIP pushed the early pace, moved out ¾ and went back inside headstretch, didn’t have much. THE NEXT DUO were never prominent. NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was three-wide past the 1/8, hard-used to get the top before the 3/8 then yielded it, couldn’t keep up the last half.

THIRTEENTH RACE – SORTIE moved past the 5/16 and took the top while getting a second quarter breather, was clear most of the third quarter and unchallenged thereafter. NANCY BAR went to the top, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, held for second over LOUS LANCELOT. The latter was away well, stayed connected third-in, outside ¾, couldn’t quite make the place. MY BOY CHRISTIAN offered little. BY A HOFF HANOVER moved out from far back 5/8, got cover, but posed no threat. FIX-IT-UP left and cleared past the 1/8 but soon made a break and went to the infield.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, June 24, 2023

Jun 29, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Warm day … Stretch headwind … GENTLE GIANT was second-over, blindswitched past the ¾, ducked to the vacant Pocono Pike and finished well, holding off JK STANDINGOVATION. The latter was third-over, blindswitched ¾, then followed the sweeper then had to go wide of him as he flattened, flying on the far outside. OUTWIT OUTRUN was three-wide to the first turn, needed some coaxing to clear past the ¼, set the pace, was outpaced to both sides late. QUICK SNAP sat in and was last, out in a blindswitch headstretch, ducked behind the winner midstretch, OK late. SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL was forwardly-placed early, uncovered 9/16, challenged hard, held OK. DANCE PARTNER moved fourth-over and then almost immediately three-wide ¾, gained well through the turn, but then flattened out and broke late. STONEBRIDGE KARIS left, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, was in good position past the ¾ but then developed a problem and backed way off.

SECOND RACE – IDEAL BEACH was looped, pressed on to take the lead at the 25.4 quarter, opened a big lead in the middle half, saw JIM BLUE get closer on the turn, but then paced away from that one. The latter left, sat third until coming from behind the gapping pocket horse 5/8, retucked in the pocket and gained on the leader, saw his bid flatten out but still clear in second. COMBATANT had dull cover, wide and just third over TERRY A HANOVER. The latter came out behind cover but couldn’t go with it. THE NEXT DUO never made their presence felt. HORSE was fastest away to 1/8 command, pushed the monstrous ¼ before yielding, fell back the last ½.

THIRD RACE – PARK OFFICIAL used being the innermost of three leavers to advantage and wound up in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and up at 10-1 as the longest shot on the board in his first victory since winning ten in a row earlier in the meet. THE WALL was three-wide to the first turn and on the point 3/16, dealt with the first-over, held well. FATHER NUNO came out past the 3/8, didn’t move up right away and was looped down the back, but stayed going one-geared, swung wide in the lane and fought on to the wire. SPRINGSTEEN was second-over, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw 11/16, challenged, held decently. CAPTAIN ROMANCE left between horses, took back, not a late factor. FRISKIE ALL NITE struggled to go with cover. CIGAR SMOKING TONY trailed throughout.

FOURTH RACE – BULLY BOY HILL, benefiting from breakers, came uncovered from last of the main pack before the 5/8, steadily advanced and proved the best. STREET SMARTS was close-up from the rail early and emerged with the pocket as three rivals broke before the ¼, moved to the lead 3/8 and rated the half, not enough for the winner. GREAT MAGIC was first on top, saw leaving rivals break, yielded to the frontstretch brusher, moved out with cover midturn then back inside stretch, fair. CHOCO CHARLIE gapped cover. GRAPPLE HANOVER stayed out of trouble and got a check. SAY YOU DO was three-wide early when breaking past the 1/8; MISS MCKEE, to his outside, wound up in tight quarters nearing the 3/16 and also broke. BLENHEIM was outleft, challenging for the lead two-wide when jumping it off before the ¼.

FIFTH RACE – ELWELL was second-over from last, ducked in third far turn and continued on the Pocono Pike to catch TRASHYTONGUETALKER. The latter was looped, had cover to the 3/16, then went up and got command before the 3/8, tried to lose the field with a big third quarter and three-quarters, but couldn’t maintain the advantage to the wire. DEALT A WINNER was uncovered into turn two, gradually passed horses the latter part of the backstretch, into the pocket on the turn, bore out extremely wide in the lane and didn’t gain. MODERN ROCK sat in and was shuffled way back far turn, had some pace in recovery. ODDS ON DELRAY backed outside after a shuffle but couldn’t offer much late. PLAY THE FIELD was on top to turn one, yielded, stayed in and was shuffled badly when the pocketsitter couldn’t keep up from the half. TUGGIN ON MY HEART went to the front 3/16, yielded in front of the stands, was bottomed out behind the fast pace and fell back more and more.

SIXTH RACE — COLLEGE TUITION was away sharply and got the lead at the 1/8 as the only leaver, set a quick pace, fought off QUEEN OF ALL late. The later used the rail to stay connected in the pocket, Pocono Pike, good but no real excuse. SHADOWFAX picked up cover 11/16, tipped wide midstretch and worked by ILBENEEDINSTITCHES for third. The latter moved uncovered 11/16, gained on the far turn, flattened a little. MARION GONDOLIER went evenly. THE OTHER TWO did not make their presence felt.

SEVENTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST left and fell in behind cover early, uncovered 1/8 and on to the lead 5/16, showed courage in defeating THE DARK SHADOW by a nose. The latter was on top 1/8 and yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, loomed boldly in the Pocono Pike, unlucky to get pictured out. GONNAHAVEONEMORE gapped behind the early contention, tighter and then underway raw to turn two, got as close as the leader’s wheel but no closer, tired but held off URBAN RENEWAL. The latter had pretty good cover but couldn’t do that much off of it. MAKE SOME WAVES gapped third-over. HOT DEUCE pushed the 1/8 and yielded, fell back from the 5/8.

EIGHTH RACE – SPEED AWAY sat third until the 11/16 then went up to challenge the leader and found no resistance, right by into the stretch and drew clear. HAYEK took the pocket in a lineup, stayed close, shuffled headstretch as the winner went by, got going in the Pocono Pike and came on for second. SHARE THE WEALTH started uncovered 5/8 but soon picked up cover, couldn’t quite stay with it. ROBBIE PEV sat in, shuffled then outside early stretch, a bit of trot between horses. DIEHARD SEELSTER didn’t factor from third-over. CRAZYCAT caused a lineup from the rail and set fractions as he pleased, but had nothing left on the far turn. DIVINE SPIRIT gapped out down the back.

NINTH RACE – CAVIART LUCA took back between horses to tuck early, went at the leader shortly past the half and kept up the pressure, proved superior late. FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES was out 3/16 for the lead in a 26 quarter, let a foe go before the 3/8 but retook before the half, soon under attack and had to keep going at a relentless pace, clearly second. AWESOMENESS was second-over, gapped, inside third ¾, held that spot. AMERICA’S GUEST had some dull ones in front of him and went three-wide 11/16, steadily. SELECT FRIDAY was third-over, blindswitched, went inside late, so-so. ER VEGAS was never close. DING DING DINGER yielded 3/16, stayed in, was behind a tired one far turn but wasn’t keep up with that one anyway. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was three-wide to the 1/8, fell in behind cover, left raw 3/16 and went on to the lead before the 3/8, yielded before the half and was soon retreating.

TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL, in peak form, wouldn’t let anybody by early while paying a 25.4 price, got a breather to the half then picked it up, roused on the far turn and kept his dominance to the line. BETTORS DONTTELL left but took back, uncovered just before the half, speed-grinded in 26.4 down the back, stayed good in one-gear mode. CODE CRACKER was second-over, just got third over JOESSTAR OF MIA A. The latter took the pocket 3/16 in the hot initial stanza, was well-placed in the two-hole but just didn’t have enough the last 1/8. AFLAME HANOVER stayed close but wasn’t threatening late. GET LIT was third-over but couldn’t gain.

ELEVENTH RACE – LADYFORD DOLLAR GB left between horses and sat in what was mostly a distant pocket until the 11/16, worked by the leader on the turn, remained in control. SOUTHPORT BEACH got cover 5/8, gained while three-wide on the turn, clearly second in a good mile. BUSBOY HANOVER moved raw 5/8 and one-geared it for third. A FEARSOME HANOVER rode outside the first half, fell way back off turn two, but somehow found his closing kick late. ROLLINWITHAMBITION gapped out from the 5/8. CAPTAIN T HANOVER was three-wide early and then off to the races on the lead, reeled in to the ¾, tired. TERRITORY lost contact after the half.

TWELFTH RACE – FRANK THE ELDER was on top going to curve one, yielded, retook 3/8 and got a second quarter breather, then sped up down the back and gradually lost the opposition, giving ground late but too far ahead. AP HALL OF TRIX gapped in third most of the way, then rallied well up the inside to get as close as he did. POINT REYES also hugged the inside in finishing third. PRIMO VOLO was three-deep to turn one then in front 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, not able to stay with the winner. VELVET STYLE was outside on the turn but couldn’t gain. ZETTE FLAME broke soon after the start.