Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Jun 26, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – High 70s today … Light stretch tailwind early when it was there; then reversing midcard to a stretch headwind … DECOY left between horses, was in front 3/16, rated the half then sharpened the speed, briefly even with SANTAFE’S COACH but came back to outfoot that one to the wire. The latter left, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, came out late turn before a sweeper dropped down, may have had a nose up early stretch but was outpaced to his inside. ROCKIN MARTY A sat in, OK late, possibly without a full clear lane. TREVOR ONE moved second-over, three-wide midturn when his cover stopped advancing, closed well. MAJOR SHOW was three-wide to the first bend, tucked third 3/16, out raw 5/8, backed off on the turn but then was resurgent late. THE LAST THREE didn’t figure in the main action of this race.

SECOND RACE – VALENTINE EXPRESS was forwardly-placed, came with a head of steam early backstretch and sailed by 11/16, got pressure around the far turn, but drew clear. SHADOWFAX was five-wide halfway to the first turn then backed off, tucked fifth 3/16, dawdled down the back then gradually got better the last 5/16. DART GUY made the front and yielded for the pocket, backed out late backstretch to avoid a shuffle, to the pocket mid-far turn, just missed second. ARGENTO got in the outer flow, initially wanted to come between horses in the lane but found that path blocked, so to the path behind the place horse and narrowed in. JUSTLIKEHIM had good cover, left raw 11/16 and challenged around the last bend, tired. SIMON GOT LUCKY never got close. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR was briefly four-wide, down to two-wide and then the lead 3/16 in a quick opener, set the pace, faded after being passed late backstretch.

THIRD RACE – MOTLEY RAY was looped and with cover, settled third past the 1/8, underway before the 5/8 and quickly paced to the lead, opened a big margin and was coasting late. FUN MUNKY was three-wide to the initial curve to the top, slowed quarter two, picked up the pace but still could do nothing with the winner, showed courage in cutting back into the margin late. CLEVELAND B MIKI yielded for the pocket, gapped late backstretch, just third over BULLVILLESPANDEMIC. The latter moved outside 11/16, in the photo for third. THE NEXT TWO retucked around a gapper but never contended. LAZ TO FIRST struggled from the half. WHERES GREG was always near the back.

FOURTH RACE – R MELINA was three-wide to the 1/8, outside 5/16 for the top, yielded the lead to the favorite early backstretch, but came back in the last 1/8 and trotting a nice last panel to draw away. DIAMANTE HANOVER moved uncovered before the 3/8, was outside the second turn then cleared to command, tired in the stretch and just held third. KEYSTONE SIERRA used the rail well to be forwardly-placed, gapped a bit inside on the far turn but then found a good finishing gear. RUTHIAN was out behind the favorite, left raw down the back, never got close, next. WUNDERKIND HANOVER was outside but couldn’t get in the fight. CHAPALONIA was between horses early and tucked third, gapped out to the ¾. THE OTHER DUO were near the rear throughout here.

FIFTH RACE – BINGE ON YANKEE had the speed to force a lineup, slowed the half, then came home in 54.4- 27.1 to hold off the uncovered foe and then the potential pocket rocket ERINWOOD YVES. The latter sat in the two-hole, used the Pocono Pike and closed well to just miss. FULL SUPPORT was second-over, three-wide late turn, just along for third over HURRIKANE JOHNYBOY. The latter was uncovered at the half, made the winner work a long hard way, held well though losing ground in the last 3/16. HURRIKANE CHUCKY sat in, OK in the quick back half. ZEUS HANOVER couldn’t reach contention. NOPEWASNTME had an excess of cover, four-wide in the lane, very tough spot.

SIXTH RACE – Stretch headwind starting, and would intensify … FOOLISH GAMES got in third at the 1/8, stayed fairly well connected, to the deep Pocono Pike and found a burst very late to carry her to victory. FLASHY SWAN yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and easily went by the leader early stretch, couldn’t withstand the inside onslaught of the winner very late. GET THE PICTURE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead 3/16, rated the half then sped up down the backstretch, little response in the last 1/16, MISS HALL came out 11/16 and made a good uncovered bid that carried her up, flattened a little. QUEEN CAMILLE gapped inside 5/8, was doing a little better as the pace slowed down. BINGO BRAIN was stuck inside, couldn’t get into the battle. MELODRAMA was outside but never close. BANGLES N BEADS never factored.

SEVENTH RACE – GET ANSWERS was three-high to turn one, refused a 3-tuck and pressed on to command, rolled on, shook off the far turn challenger then withstood the wide closers. SWEET HOME lagged early, then joined an advancing flow third-over, four-wide headstretch, very strong through the stretch. YOUNONOTHINJON was carried up by good cover, three-wide to headstretch, had pace but outclosed by the one on his back. CARIS took control early, yielded to the winner, couldn’t quite summon enough late. BLANK CHEEK took back early, stayed in, OK in tight quarters late. BENICIO made a big power move started at the 9/16, challenged all the way around the turn and into the stretch, then tired. JAGGED LITTLE PILL didn’t keep up.

EIGHTH RACE – NIGHT STAR was three-wide early and in front 3/16, slowed the second quarter, proved adequate to those coming on late. SWAN JOVI stayed in third, found clearance midstretch and one-geared home steadily. PRAIRIE FAMOUS yielded past mid-first turn for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. DANCEHALL KING sat in, angled wide early stretch and had a burst at the end. MONKS HOOD S was uncovered at the 3/8 and had to keep going uncovered, held well until late turn. HS REMINGTON sat in, gained some ground as the pace slowed late. ALTITUDE gapped second-over. HILLASVIVA broke soon after the start.

NINTH RACE – LET’S MISBEHAVE was three-wide leaving, got to the top at the ¼, continued on very strongly to the wire. UTOPIA BLUE CHIP pushed hard early then relinquished for the pocket, lost ground in the stretch. ALWAYS B CITY was uncovered 5/8 and advanced a long way, held OK; an inquiry into this one possibly causing early interference yielded no placing. ALL YOU CAN EAT sat in, next. EVERHART HANOVER gapped at several points. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE backed out to follow cover 11/16 but had little. THE LAST PAIR were well back throughout.

TENTH RACE – BELIEVE U ME sat third-in, moved out a notch early stretch then found clearance as the pocket horse went to the Pocono Pike and the pacesetter drifted out a little, knifed through sharply very late and won. HOLY BEING made two speed moves, slowed the half, then set the rest of the pace, not enough to withstand the winner. STRONGERWITHLINDY started uncovered into turn two and gradually worked up, held well late. DEVIOUS PROMISES made the lead at the ¼ then yielded to a retaker to sit the pocket, to the Pike but not enough. BUDWEISER GIRL posted midpack, then was second-over, three-wide late turn, finished OK. U BAKE THE CAKE was inside, started to edge out nearing headstretch but then went back in, not all that much. ULI BLUE CHIP broke taking back towards turn one. ALDEBARAN ACRUX made a break before the 3/8.

ELEVENTH RACE – SPARROW HANOVER left, couldn’t get by an insistent one late first turn so tucked briefly in the 26.1 opener, then went up again and took over 3/8, continued on strongly and won all alone in a very fast time for “nw2.” RUSTY BEACH gapped during the first quarter fight, then tighter third-in, got clear of the breaker far turn, Pocono Pike and up for second. PARK STREET BLUES was last of the main pack mid-far turn, four-wide in the lane and closed well though far behind. SHARED BY ME went uncovered soon into the backstretch and challenged, got to tuck in the pocket midturn after a breaker, tired. FOUT spotted fourth, backed out behind cover, left uncovered midturn, not too much. HESTONATOR was outside, three-wide late far turn, not enough. COBRA KAI JOHNNY never got close. CAPTAIN UP refused to yield in the 26.1 first quarter, did yield 3/8 for the pocket, still close when making a break midturn.

TWELFTH RACE – UPSTAGED spotted third, moved early backstretch and went by past the ¾, drew away. THE GOOD BOOK came from far back to reach cover to the ¾, three-wide midturn, clearly second-best. GRAND SLAM HERO backed out behind the place horse and was along for third. PARTY AT SEVEN was outside past the 1/8 for the top, set the pace, had no answer for the winner, broke while tiring in the stretch, went inside the pylons and galloped home, placed. BAR KEEP DE VIE couldn’t stay with the winner’s cover, left raw ¾, faded. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT yielded for the pocket, had little to offer the last 5/16. SEMINOLE MOON lost contact the last half.

THIRTEENTH RACE – STOP STARING went to the lead 3/16, had to step up the tempo down the back to ward off the first-over, then had that one joined up the rail in the lane but dug in to withstand both. STENDAHL HANOVER was looped by the winner, took back to fourth 3/16, was uncovered off the second bend and went up in 26.4 to apply pressure to the winner from just past the 5/8 onward, held remarkably gamely. MCNEIL Z TAM was quickly to the top then yielded for a two-hole ride and stayed close, Pocono Pike, not far off. BOLTMAN got improved position early, far-back best of the rest. ALADDIN HANOVER showed little. SUNKEN TREASURE gapped early, then gapped second-over. THE REMAINING PAIR was disconnected the second half.

FOURTEENTH RACE – MISS MUSCLE took the pocket early, had the winner get away down the back then narrowed in by the ¾, to the Pocono Pike, quickly to the lead but never drew away from the pacesetter. ARCHIBALD headed down the road, rated the half then sprinted down the back to open up, reeled in but stayed game. STONE MASON was not away well, three-wide at the ¾ the rest of the way and passed a lot of horses. SNOWMAN HANOVER, rough at points, tucked third, gapped the last half. JESSIES OUTLAWED didn’t offer much. GIVEM THE GOO shopped for a tuck early but didn’t find one, had to press on uncovered, never really challenged for the lead, faded. MISS PRINCIPLE gapped cover. LOOK IN MY EYES was never a consideration.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, June 19, 2023

Jun 25, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – A warm day … WEATHER VANES went second-over, burst three-wide 5/8 and circled up to challenge, went by at the ¾ and opened up a big margin. SAINT TRIXIE yielded for the pocket, was stuck inside and had to wait for the Pocono Pike as the winner got away, rallied for second. LIKE A WARRIOR was looped and got in third at the ¼, also shuffled back, also gained inside belatedly. LONESTAR FASHION avoided the clogged outer tiers. KALEUN was behind cover and stayed there until headstretch, not much response late. QUITE FAST went out to command, rated the half, had little response against the winner in the last ¼. BAR COINS went first-over, was looped late in the backstretch, no gain late. LOUS LANCELOT went three-wide early and was trying to clear to the lead but broke at the 1/8.

SECOND RACE – PANTHEON HANOVER moved uncovered off the second turn, worked up to the leader and went by that one on the far turn, withstood ARTACHE HANOVER. The latter was right on the leader’s back all the way around, lost a little ground straightening away, then came back on. BLAKEMORE was buried in last, advanced in blindswitches, then found room inside the place horse midstretch and closed with pace. RUNHAPPY TEN left and yielded, sat in, out in a blindswitch far turn to avoid a shuffle, three-wide, decent. TODDLER TANTRUM was three-wide early, got the lead then soon yielded it in a fast quarter, stuck behind a tired pacesetter on the turn but didn’t show much once free. WHAT’S GOIN ON gapped third-over. EFFRONTE A was four-wide headed to the first turn, three- then two-wide in getting the lead past the 1/8 in the sharp opener, set the pace, had little to offer when the winner came calling.

THIRD RACE – ULURU headed right to the top, got no challenges until very late, then held together to withstand RAVIOLI. The latter spotted third and stayed there into the stretch, then outside, quickly found a better gear, narrowed in but ran out of racetrack. KT DOUBLE DEUCE was wide early, made the pocket at the 1/8, tired some but still clearly third. BARCELONA PRINCESS moved outside 11/16 but gained little, ducked back inside. QUEEN OF THORNTON was outside 5/8 then soon got cover, couldn’t stay with it on the turn, but stayed flat and got a check. NINA HANOVER raced inside, broke far turn. DIVINE ZETTE jumped headed to the first curve; TSM LOYAL T jumped a bit before that.

FOURTH RACE – MASSIVE OPULENCE got an early spot, moved raw 5/8 to go to the lead ¾, drew away. SWIZZLE HANOVER yielded for the pocket, caught in on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and came on steadily. STEEL SCHOONER had to circle a breaker first turn, moved with cover but gapped, left uncovered far turn, one-geared the rest of the way as OK. BY A HOFF HANOVER went right out to command, couldn’t answer the challenge of the first-up, fell back some. SORTIE was outleft and three-wide early, made a break, caught the back of the field, was behind gapping cover, decent recovery. PRAIRIE VIRTUE avoided a first turn breaker but then faded in the last ¼. TUXEDO ATTIRE was away slowly, ran mid-first turn and was taken to the centerfield.

FIFTH RACE – Mild stretch headwind starting; would fluctuate in and out … BUDDY EARL was third-over, three-wide late backstretch and circled up, drew away from these foes. DONATELLO HANOVER won an early multi-horse skirmish, got a soft middle half, clearly second. JOLLY RANCHER was uncovered on turn two but got cover coming off that bend, blindswitched late backstretch then backed out behind the sweeper, a distant next in line.  FOX HOLE maintained the pocket in the early dustup, nothing left for the stretch. ACTION SHOT was five-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, worked into the 3-hole past the quarter, enough for the final payday. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN stayed in and went to the Pocono Pike but could not gain. YO CARTER was gapping by the half. DECHAMBO was caught in, angling wide near headstretch in close quarters when making a break.

SIXTH RACE – SHARKY BEAR was away third, moving 3/16 to the lead just past the 5/16, opened a clear lead early backstretch while continuing on in quick numbers, unchallenged here. LORD OF MISRULE made the lead into turn one, yielded, third-in, had a clear inside as the pocketsitter bore way wide and had late pace. MIDNIGHT DAY also sat in, also finished with some late foot with a clear path. RIOT was three-deep to turn one and on top 3/16, yielded to the winner for the two-hole, moved out headstretch but drifted very wide through the lane. PERKINS was uncovered into turn two, gained down the backstretch then saw his gaining halt far turn. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS had gaining cover, didn’t do much off of it. THE LAST TWO were never factors.

SEVENTH RACE – TOMMY BOY HANOVER left, took back for the pocket nearing a quick quarter, sat in then moved out, briefly with cover then raw 11/16 as the lead changed hands, challenged the new leader and just got by late. DEVITO HANOVER was out raw at the half and went a big third panel to clear to the lead 11/16, under attack much of the rest of the way, held very gamely. LEAST WEASEL took a tuck at the 1/8, gapped a bit down the back, then got in gear near the ¾ and moved out although not getting close to cover on the turn, continued to narrow in. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP went around a struggler and retucked, errorless and next. UNCLE NINO insisted on the early lead, backed the second stanza way off, still could not resist the brusher to the ¾, tired. FAWN DE SIGN lost contact the last half. F SCOTT’S MUSE moved out second-over but couldn’t go with cover, then broke nearing late backstretch.

EIGHTH RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-wide early, worked to command 3/16, got a breather in quarter two while keeping an outgunned rival parked, went clear 5/8 and extended the margin. PADRE stayed in, gapped down the back as the leader went a solid third split, outside on the turn and along for second; JACKED followed the place horse , wide headstretch and up for third. MISTER BOINGA left well, sat the pocket behind the early contest, began to unplug 5/8. THE NEXT TWO were always far back. EXCHEQUER was out behind the parked horse at the half, went three-wide 5/8 to get to two-wide uncovered but couldn’t gain. TUIS SHADOW had cover early then made a bid for the lead, but lacked the needed speed, fading from before the 5/8.

NINTH RACE – ONE HUNDRED POOF slotted fifth, out third-over, gapped past the 5/8 but then in gear ¾, three-wide headstretch and drew away in a good time for this class. WENTWORTH HANOVER spotted early, came uncovered at the ½ and fought with the leader head-to-head from the 5/8, may have had the lead for a step or two early stretch, outtrotted but game to be second. KOBE B was up tight second-over, ducked in midturn and went to the Pocono Pike, steadily. ENZO AQUELLO was not away swiftly, gapped, then moved outside midturn and was doing better late. OPTRIX gapped early, stayed in, some at the very end. DINKY WINKY moved outside but never entered the picture. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN went right up to the lead and set a fast pace with pressure from the 5/8, nothing left in the lane. KNIGHTS GUARD, wide early, went into the two-hole past the 1/8, started to fade from the pocket 5/8.

TENTH RACE – EMIRA MIL IT was away in the pocket, then sat third to headstretch when moving out, didn’t look like she was going to make it early stretch but had a giant last 1/16 to be just along – one to keep an eye on. TACTICAL MOUNDS moved from third at the ¼ and went her own middle half in 55.2 stringing out the field, went a giant mile but was just caught. KADDARI took command into turn one, yielded to the brusher, a bit loose down the back then a bit closer, clearly third-best. RUFFLES N LACE was next. KINGPIN HANOVER left a big gap in fourth the last half. SILENT NIGHT left but backed off and got in fifth at the ¼, outside again but couldn’t make up ground. INSIDE EXPRESS never featured. LOWRY lost contact the last half.

ELEVENTH RACE – SELENA DEO avoided trouble, came uncovered past the 5/8 and grinded up, easily stepped by MIRASOL S late. The latter was outside until making the top 3/8, moved right along, couldn’t stall the winner. WAL STREET LADY took command past the 1/8, pushed a foe to near the 3/8 and yielded, to the Pocono Pike, not enough. TSM EMILIA T stayed connected but did not gain late. DIGNITY HANOVER and GADOT HANOVER were the two behind a first turn breaker, off the main group the second half. SANTA MONICA AS broke past the start, was far back at the ¼ when bothered by the other breaker, I CANT REFUSE, who jumped tucking past the 1/8.

TWELFTH RACE – BRECKENRIDGE was part of a bunch contesting the early lead, yielded at the ¼ and sat the pocket behind a duel, to the Pocono Pike and had the most trot late. NICE STUFF stayed inside, got to the deep Pike and just edged KINDA LUCKY LINDY for second.  The latter was wide in the early scramble, then two-wide to ¼ command, kept a rival outside during a hot pace, almost held onto second. BULLY BOY HILL was very wide early, dropped down to follow cover at the 1/8, lost it at the ¼, moved up past the half to really go at it with the pacesetter, held on very bravely. STAR TRACK HANOVER left and yielded, backed out far turn, couldn’t summon enough. DAGON HANOVER was widest in the lane, had a little at the end. KASEVILLE was never prominent.

THIRTEENTH RACE – GLOBALDOMINATION N got away in the pocket then quarter-moved, shook off a challenger on the turn, looked safe against the late move of IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING. The latter moved to the lead past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, came up in the Pocono Pike, good but not enough. BLACKLIST made a solid gain along the inside down the back, couldn’t go with the top two late but a clear third.  GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE backed outside towards the far turn, so-so. STELLAR BLUE CHIP came up uncovered 5/8, challenged hard on the turn but couldn’t sustain his move. APPLE VALLEY ART fell behind the cover of MISTER DAYTONA N early, tried to go around that parked-the-mile horse but couldn’t. FRED’S NIGHT was last at every call.

FOURTEENTH RACE – FAMOUS DAN pressed on to take over 5/16, rated the half, held off late contenders. KEYSTONE SERGEANT came uncovered at the half and gained a lot of ground in the third quarter, kept up his challenge to the line in a good mile. MATTER OF TRUST went out to the early lead, kept the winner out past the ¼, well-placed throughout, didn’t have the punch late. MANWILLING had early speed, moved outside 3/4, finished steadily. PHANTOM RUSTY stayed connected until the stretch. GREEK LEGEND and GHIBLI who was wide early but took back) never made their presence felt. MUSCLES D’ORO broke midpack at the half.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, June 18, 2023

Jun 25, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – As usual on Sunday evening cards at Pocono, the temperature dropped from the mid-70s to the mid-60s … BULLVILLE FRANK moved in a lively outer flow, urged to keep up 11/16 and drew closer to cover, then got to the pocket mid-far turn, Pocono Pike and up nearing the wire. TERRY A HANOVER was two-wide to the lead at the ¼, where two horses went past him, moved again just past the half and went by to the 11/16, kept up the hot numbers with a rival coming at him, just failed to last in a big outing. SHVAIKO was second-over then left uncovered late backstretch, challenged the rest of the way home. DRUNKONAPLANE was innermost of a fierce four-way early battle, sat in and was shuffled back, cleared in tight quarters between horses midstretch and made a good recovery. NIGHT OUT was in the outer flow but gapped. EDDARD HANOVER had excess cover. SOMBODYITREASURE was three-wide to a fast ¼ to get the lead, yielded in front of the stands, stuck behind a tiring pacesetter from late backstretch but had little once clear. MARINER SEELSTER was left out four-wide fully to the ¼, then worked by to the lead, but had no resistance to the first-over and understandably faded far back.

SECOND RACE – PAPI HANOVER came on the raw grind at the half, battled on and wore down BRIDGE TO VICTORY late. The latter took the top 3/16, yielded in front of the stands but was quick to retake, had pressure from the winner from the 5/8, held well. NANCY BAR was wide leaving, fell in behind cover, lost it 3/16 and went on to the lead before the 3/8, yielded to the retaker, not tight on the leader far turn, lost a little ground in the stretch but held third over KEEGAN HO. The latter was first to show, yielded, stayed in third, couldn’t get free until midstretch, closed well. CHUCKY DE VIE had great cover but gapped out on the turn. CREEMORE never made the main scene from third-over. TEDDY BROSEVELT never featured. SPREE was too far back, couldn’t gain wide late.

THIRD RACE – SOME KINDA ANGEL moved from third 3/16 to the lead before the 3/8, set the pace, pressed on the turn but then drew away in a big outing. TRAFFIC JAM made a big uncovered move to battle the leader through the final turn, couldn’t sustain the charge but won second in a three-horse photo. GEORGIE MARTIN N gapped second-over, found better pace inside a drifting horse very late. BULLVILLEKARLA left and took the early pocket, stayed in, not quite enough late. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was first on the lead, yielded to the early mover and stayed close, outside late turn and loomed, but then drifted wide through the stretch. BE BEST couldn’t rally enough; nor could SURE R LOOKING GOOD. BELLATRICKS stayed in, not enough in the last ¼.

FOURTH RACE – LIE IN WAIT lived up to her name until moving out ¾, just took the measure of PIANO BAR in the last steps. The latter made two speed moves and had a fairly soft middle half, just failed to resist the oncharging winner. GINA’S ON FIRE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead off the first curve, yielded to the retaker, outtrotted late but a clear third. FLARES ZIVA stayed close until the stretch, remained flat. AVA MARIE started to gap near the 3/8, broke early backstretch. JAMESON N LIME broke at the start; SMOOTH AS SILK broke going to the first turn.

FIFTH RACE – SALDANA HANOVER was loose in the pocket much of the way, was a little wide on turn two, kicked into gear in early stretch and had a big last 1/16 to catch BIRDIE THREE. The latter set the pace on an open lead, just didn’t quite have the late steps to resist the favorite while far ahead of the rest. HONEYMOON TRAIL sat third, lost contact with the top two but did just take third over HERS HUNGRY. The latter was second-over, paused briefly as her cover broke, gained a bit. MIKI B MOUSE was uncovered 5/8, made a break 11/16, recovered and was wide in the stretch to get the last check. MORE PLEASE was outside then went back in, not much. SUNSHINE CHIP never factored.

SIXTH RACE – LADY LIRA headed down the road, elected to park a challenger and still could get a second-quarter breather, got new pressure approaching the far turn but then outtrotted this crew late. CHEROKEE JOY moved behind the parked horse off turn two and soon was three-deep, got to two-over past the 11/16, not enough for the winner but kept digging and got second. WIND CHIME was three-wide to the 1/8, ducked behind cover and slid into what would become the pocket, so-so in the Pocono Pike. OVER BOARD followed the backstretch sweeper, three-wide late far turn, not enough. SHOW ME DA MONI was wide early and took far back to tuck, four-wide headstretch and raced better than the line may look. FORTUNE FORECAST left but had the bad fortune not to be able to clear, eventually faded.  QUARANTINA ran up on a foe at the back 5/16 and ran. OLD MAGIC was trying her best to keep up when going offstride midturn.

SEVENTH RACE – HEAVEN HANOVER briefly had cover then was left raw 9/16, grinded at new leader ANGELPEDIA and worked past that one at midstretch, drew clear. The latter left, yielded to a parked challenger 3/8 but regained the lead past the ½, under pressure from the winner, second-best tonight. HEART ON FIRE was three-wide past the 1/8, gradually advanced until taking over 3/8, yielded into the backstretch, a clear third. CANDO VOLO had good cover but didn’t stay with it. PEMBROKE MONI was not heard from. WILD JIGGY S was third-over, a touch of trot at the very end. PORTULACA never was in the picture. SHEER FAITH jumped approaching the start.

EIGHTH RACE – KB MAC was outleft and took the early pocket, was quarter-mover and then kept QM#2 outside a long long way in a quick pace, with the 1-10 favorite proving to have too much in reserve from midstretch. LAST MACH tucked third before the 3/16, on the move again but saw the winner come out, then was left raw 3/8 and was in the face of the winner from that point until before midstretch, amazingly brave to hold for second after that trip. CALYPSO ROCK N had the most early foot, yielded to the winner and stayed tight in the pocket until the stretch, not quite enough for place. CENTURY IGLESIAS stayed semiconnected to the top ones early, outside 11/16 but gapped. OHARE HANOVER got around stragglers for the last check. ROCK THREE TIMES was not a factor. LUZIANA fell far back. LUC ROCKS gapped badly from before the 3/8 onward.

NINTH RACE – SOUTHWIND TYRION pushed his main rival to the 3/16 before yielding, content to sit the pocket until headstretch, then moved out and came home with a wicked blast to overhaul HILLEXOTIC while posting the fastest trotting mile of the season at Pocono, 1:51. The latter as noted worked to the lead early, got even fractions, outsprinted at the end. ON HIGHER GROUND came on late to pass JUJUBEE for third. The latter stayed connected with the top two, then weakened a little late (if coming home in 27.4 is “weakening”). HAVEK went around a laboring RICH AND MISERABLE for the last check.

TENTH RACE – BOND went by at the 1/8, got no pressure and slowed the half bigtime, speeded up 5/8, held off her main foe and won in 1:51.4, a fifth off her divisional track record, with the earplugs still in. RAILEE SOMETHING was away swiftly and yielded for the pocket, edged out headstretch then decided to try the winner along the inside in the lane, again very good though in defeat. BELLA MACCHIATO stayed connected until late backstretch, well ahead of the rest. FASHION ANNIE settled in fourth at the 1/8, lost stretch ground. UNO MAS BLUE CHIP was gapping 11/16. THE NEXT PAIR were not on the main radar. PERFECT PASSION pulled outside from way back early backstretch, never made the front half of the field, faded ¾, broke stretch.

ELEVENTH RACE – TWO PROUD spotted, was on the move from third at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, drew clear save the pocket horse in a quick third quarter, then pulled away from her only rival in the stretch. THINK OF GALAXIES was out past a 26.2 opener, yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the leader to nearing headstretch, far ahead of the others. FRANTASY HANOVER came out late backstretch and circled AMERICAN DELIGHT N for third. The latter left hard and pushed the fast opener, yielded, couldn’t stay with the top two from off the second turn. STELLENBOSCH couldn’t keep up but at least avoided trouble and got a check. SPITTING IMAGE became entangled with a foe (apparently locking wheels) just past the start, no factor, placed. RIGHTFULLY MINE was bothered early and was way behind, outside down the back and gained a little, then suffered further indignity when shoved wide by a breaker far turn. TSM WESTERN SOUL got into the five-hole, eased out towards midturn but made a break.

TWELFTH RACE – LILLEHAMMER HALL came out 5/8 and steadily advanced grinding, went to the lead then was able to hold off ROSITA. The latter was third-over, four-wide headstretch and flying in the last 1/16. FOOLISH MONI was third-in, had room in the Pocono Pike and gained. BABY TAKE A VOW was between horses early and looped, worked up to command 5/16, tired in the stretch. WISTERIA HANOVER was second-over, three-wide headstretch, evenly. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER took all the way back to last, then responded late in tight quarters to make up some ground. JET ZETTE never featured. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, had nothing left to offer in the stretch.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, June 17, 2023

Jun 22, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Nice day temperature-wise; shifting winds early … LADYFORD DOLLAR GB was three-wide early, tucked third 3/16, moved behind cover at the half, three-wide just past the 5/8 and got to two-wide ¾, couldn’t clear though having the lead much of the turn, held off SOUTHPORT BEACH. The latter left and yielded for the two-hole, behind a duel, backed out behind the winner far turn, wide in the lane, just couldn’t reach. DUCKIES DYNASTY stayed in, got room in the Pocono Pike, next-best. VOYAGER went away quickly for command, was pressured from the lower turn, got a new challenge ¾ and kept that one out on the turn into the stretch, then tired a little. WON LAST FEELING was far back inside, steered through a stretch opening with some pace. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was third-over behind the winner but couldn’t stay with that one the last 5/16. COWBOY COOL didn’t offer much. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL briefly tucked behind the three fast early movers, then came at the ¼ but couldn’t summon enough speed and was left out in the air, faded.

SECOND RACE – AFLAME HANOVER moved raw before the 5/8 and made a decisive 26.4 brush to go right by ¾, won for fun. THE WALL was behind the winner but couldn’t stay with him, raw ¾, edged FATHER NUNO for the distant second. The latter gapped gaping cover, a bit late. SPRINGSTEEN advanced inside down the backstretch but then had traffic issues far turn, outside in a blindswitch then found belated room between horses. BUDDY HILL gapped in last until the far turn, then out widest and with belated pace. FRISKIE ALL NITE was always far back, also had late traffic problems. CIGAR SMOKING TONY left well to the lead 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, terribly shuffled through the turn, but then had little response when shown the Pocono Pike. CONTROL HEAVEN set a very quick pace with two moves, all done far turn creating traffic woes.

THIRD RACE – P L NOTSONICE left hard to take control, kept her main rival parked, drew clear late. ROBBIE PEV sat third-in, to the Pocono Pike and just along for second over DIVINE SPIRIT. The latter left well and then yielded for the two-hole, a bit loose from the 5/8 and then looser in the lane, just failed to preserve the deuce. DONATO PATRIOT K was briefly three-wide then left parked raw, one-geared challenging, held OK. SHARE THE WEALTH backed out to third-over, finished with trot. ARMSTEAD COLE moved behind the parked horse but gapped, wide late turn, didn’t gain.

FOURTH RACE – GONNAHAVEONEMORE left purposefully, did let a rival go 5/16 but was right back on the retake, parked whatever challengers he had then drew away in the last panel. ROLLINWITHAMBITION left but settled back in the pocket 1/8, third-in, blocked far turn, Pocono Pike, just second over FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES. The latter was three-wide almost to the 3/16, then in gear to take over 5/16, yielded back to the winner, couldn’t go with that one the last panel and was caught for second late. DING DING DINGER followed cover two-, three-, and then again two-wide, wider again before headstretch, fair. CAPTAIN T HANOVER went out behind the parked horse, three-wide just past the 5/8 to uncovered 11/16 and briefly challenged before falling back. SOUTHWIND DREDGE never factored. DAAMERICANSKY eschewed an inner spot first turn and went on, not enough speed to threaten, fell back past the 5/8.

FIFTH RACE – Stretch headwind now … DIEHARD SEELSTER was right on top, then yielded to a leader who had to absorb several challenges, to the Pocono Pike and enough. SOUTHWIND ARTURO was third-in, to the deep Pike and finished well. FRANK THE ELDER rushed up in 27 down the back to give grief to the leader from the 5/8 on, held grittily and nipped that one for third. TNT BLUE CHIP went to the front, got very little rest facing challengers, gave way. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES joined a good outer flow, wide and closed nicely. BRIGHT SIDE UP never reached contention. PRIMO VOLO was inside, didn’t have too much in the last 1/16. SPEED AWAY gapped the two early speedsters then in gear before the ¼ and went on to challenge, was contending for the lead when breaking 3/8.

SIXTH RACE – CODE CRACKER tucked third before the 1/8, quarter-moved to take the lead and went on to set very fast fractions, opened a clear lead early stretch, enough to withstand the grind of BUILDING BOOST. The latter was in a high one-gear throughout, advanced second-over down the back, three-wide midturn, kept coming gamely but came up shy. ROCKIN ON VENUS came through nicely at the start for the top, yielded to the winner for the pocket, fair late. MONTANA CHIEF A left and had the early pocket, sat in, moved outside a path early stretch, fair. MR DS ROCK sat in, backed out to third-over before the ¾, blindswitched then ducked inside midturn, couldn’t gain. BUCHANNON HANOVER gapped at the back, then in gear and three-wide ¾ but couldn’t get nearer. CAPTAIN ROMANCE came with a rush down the backstretch to challenge but tired ¾.

SEVENTH RACE – THE DARK SHADOW was first away, yielded then moved before the parked horse came up, again took over and again yielded, came out for a third move in the stretch and despite bearing way out proved to have the most. BENJI’S BEST was four-wide to the first turn, advanced, got cover from the winner to the ¼ then passed that one 3/8 in a fast half, set the pace, knew he was beaten midstretch, well ahead of the others. TUGGIN ON MY HEART made the front 3/16, saw two go by in quick succession, sat third-in, not too much left late. ODDS ON DELRAY moved up second-over, was blindswitched, ducked in, almost made third. MAKE SOME WAVES was third-over from last, tried to make some waves going three-wide ¾ but didn’t have the kick. HOT DEUCE charged up with the wind down the back but quickly folded. ART SCENE showed very little.

EIGHTH RACE – KENZIESKY HANOVER led from the first step to the last as an overpowering presence here. MISS MCKEE had the pocket as there were no other leavers, maintained that spot. QUEEN OF ALL sat third, held third over DEE’S RED DELICIOUS, who sat right behind her but couldn’t get past her. GREAT MAGIC had little inside. ONE AFTER NINE moved early backstretch, steadily advanced but didn’t threaten before tiring midturn. SAY YOU DO gapped at the back. SEVENTIER gapped second-over, broke headstretch.

NINTH RACE — JK OBJECTION made the lead 3/16, got the fractions to his liking, and was going to be tough to catch in the 55.3 last half. BUSBOY HANOVER moved off the rail at the ¾, and closed enough to be the distant second. A FEARSOME HANOVER got away slowly and had his fate sealed when the winner got soft fractions, outside before the 11/16, cover on the turn but gapped it slightly, finished well as usual. ER VEGAS sat third in, angled out the upper half of the stretch, evenly. BLOW A CLOUD N never got into the race from near the back. TERRITORY made the lead and yielded for the pocket, looked to be in good position but came up empty in the last ¼.

TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL, much-improved lately, was three-wide early then onward to 3/16 command, rolled on with pressure coming at the 11/16, had a trio at his throat in the stretch but held very gamely. MAXIMUS MIKI moved second-over, gapped later in the backstretch then tightened in, three-wide off the turn losing some ground, relentlessly with a fast one-gear late to just miss. ULTIMAROCA made the lead to turn one and yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, good race although coming up shy. JOESSTAR OF MIA A moved uncovered early backstretch, reached the winner 11/16 and battled with that one, held his ground staunchly late. THE OTHER TWO didn’t factor from the back of the pack.

ELEVENTH RACE – URBAN RENEWAL went from sixth-in to third-in past the half as the three horses directly ahead of him moved outside, saw all the outer tiers stall on the turn and was able to move out early stretch, finished with a good rush to be along in time. ELWELL left sharply and was soon on top, set the pace, briefly drew clear but just couldn’t make his lead last to the wire. PLAY THE FIELD soon was in the pocket, not tight late turn, but resurgent in the Pocono Pike and wasn’t far off at the wire. MODERN ROCK was fourth-over and had the two-, three-, and four-wide tiers stall on him late turn, five-wide headstretch and closed very well. FULSOME stayed inside and got the last check after groundsaving. PARK OFFICIAL was third-over, four-wide late turn but couldn’t gain. I’M BENICIO A was second-over, three-wide not much past the ¾, punchless today. P L LEEROY was looped leaving and dove in third, started the outer charge at the half, got to the leader’s wheel but no closer before tiring.

TWELFTH RACE – OUTWIT OUTRUN left but was second-fastest away, briefly took the pocket then went on to take over 5/16, not under much pressure and held off the inside closers. GENTLE GIANT went up behind the top two to tuck, sat in, to the deep Pocono Pike and decisioned STONEBRIDGE KARIS for second. The latter left with high speed and was soon in front, content to yield for the pocket, tried hard inside late but not quite enough. TOPVILLE SOMROCKET did not have great cover, three-wide midturn, best of the rest. ALWAYS BETTER never featured. LOUKES PERRY was uncovered 5/8 but was beginning to flatten out from his advance ¾. GOOD DEAL lost contact with the field.

THIRTEENTH RACE – COLLEGE TUITION was three-deep early to command at the 1/8, got the pace his own way, tired a little but still well clear of this field. STREET SMARTS was fourth then third, outside midturn and made some progress late. CANTSTOP YANKEE quarter-moved from third, took the pocket to the 3/8 after a breaker, not too much punch late. HEART MATTERS gapped, never close. ZETTE FLAME had the early pocket, broke 5/16 and went to the inside to minimize any trouble, recovered and caught up to get the last check. SAID N DONE AS was gaping early. HAND DOVER DAN was far back, better on the far turn and looked to have a chance for minor minor honors but broke headstretch.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, June 13,2023

Jun 19, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … ON THE MONEY GB used two speed moves to control the pace, had late-clearing challengers nearing the wire but held them off. YOUNONOTHINJON backed out to follow cover ¾, stayed right on that cover until midstretch then tipped wide, didn’t miss by much. EXTREME Z TAM was a gapping last down the back, came all the way up the far inside with steady late pace. BENICIO stayed in, in very tight quarters through the stretch. CARIS went uncovered at the half, paced in 26.3 with the wind in the third quarter and kept advancing on the turn, didn’t fade badly at all. BLANK CHEEK went to the front before the 3/16 then yielded for the pocket, insufficient late response. ADULT SWIM backed out to follow cover but couldn’t stay with it.

SECOND RACE – CRAZYCAT streaked to the lead in a very fast opening quarter for this kind, rated the half then sprinted off down the back with a 27 third quarter with the wind, tons the best today. ARGENTO came uncovered early on turn two, one-geared it never getting close to the leader, took second in the last two steps; there was an inquiry as to whether the horse caused interference on turn two, but there was no placing made. LADY’S IMAGE left for the pocket, couldn’t keep up in the big third quarter, just failed to last for second. NICALO HANOVER was forwardly-placed early, struggled to keep up the last half (as did the others). MUSHANA needed until the ¼ to take back and settle in, outside again but didn’t get close. ITS A HORSE was wide to the first turn, got in fourth 3/16, left a big gap the last ½. WARRIOR WAY was well behind throughout. SHADOWFAX moved out into turn two, in close quarters when a horse pulled first-over and edged three-wide, broke before the half.

THIRD RACE – DECOY took over at the 1/8, set wind-appropriate fractions and drew away the last 3/8. TREVOR’S ACE moved uncovered 11/16, got cover midturn and stayed behind it until midstretch, then tipped wide and finished with pace. ALADDIN HANOVER yielded at the 1/8 for the pocket, a bit loose from the 5/8, fell further back. BIG BOSS HILL gapped towards the ¼, stayed in, backed out midturn, evenly. SUNKEN TREASURE wasn’t keeping up in the 55.2 back half. BRIGADOON gapped at the back. FULLBACK broke past the start.

FOURTH RACE – P CHICO left, needed until the 5/16 to reach the lead, but stayed in control once there. DONATELLO HANOVER stayed connected to the main bunch, outside headstretch and was trotting well late to snatch second from PRAIRIE NUGGET. The latter was on top at the 1/8, pushed to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, outside past midturn, almost got the deuce. FOX HOLE got an early forward spot, stayed in, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. PUB HOPPING and YO CARTER (slightly off the gate) were stuck behind a badly-gapping BATTLESHIP LANDING early and seemed to have used their energy catching the main group. BATTLESHIP LANDING gapped badly from early frontstretch, eventually broke. DECHAMBO sat outside midpack early then was on the move late first turn, going up to challenge for command but broke 5/16.

FIFTH RACE – STONEBRIDGE KARIS pushed most of a quick quarter, yielded but then swiftly outside in front of a parked horse to take over the lead, got too much of a jump over a pair of strong closers. ROLLWITHPAPAJOE was buried inside, angled sharply past midturn to four-wide to headstretch, finished very strongly. TREVOR ONE was also locked inside, took the deep Pocono Pike route and was along for third. SANTAFE’S COACH sat in third, got to the pocket late turn, outpaced. HORSE was used hard to get the lead, yielded in front of the stands, moved out before the ¾ before a sweeper got to the spot, but couldn’t do too much in the lane. MR CENSI pulled behind the parked horse, went three-wide 5/8 and got left in three-wide land when the pocketsitter pulled, flattened. SULLIVAN couldn’t keep up with the sweeper. NOTA REPLICA A had cover early, then got left out on the limb, looped later in the backstretch.

SIXTH RACE – POWHATAN (Pocahontas’s father for trivia fans) worked right towards the top and never left any doubt who was the best in here. PRAIRIE FAMOUS gapped in third before the half then got closer down the back, outside stretch and clearly second. TO MY CREDIT went right to the lead, yielded for the two-hole ride, gradually unplugged from the 11/16. MONKS HOOD S and FAIR KOUNTRY were never close, in the battle for minor minor honors. A GREAT CHAPTER already was not keeping up very well when breaking towards the ¼. NATIONAL SIMON was off the gate and fell further and further behind.

SEVENTH RACE – HUNGRY TO SUCCEED pulled behind the parked horse to the second turn, was left uncovered early backstretch, gradually found a better grinding gear, kept on coming and just nipped FUN MUNKY. The latter was in front 3/16, rated the half, came home all he could, just missed at the very end. UNSETTLED BUSINESS stayed in until moving out late turn, gained in the fast (into the wind) last quarter. BARNEY HANOVER was first to the top then relinquished to sit in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. WHERES GREG did get the last check. LAZ TO FIRST moved with cover before the half but couldn’t keep up with it. GAYLE’S ARSENAL never featured. SWEET TIMBER came uncovered from seventh at the ¼ and came a long way to be in a challenging position by the half, but then bore wide off the second turn and backed off.

EIGHTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER remained outside early, cleared outside traffic 5/16 and on to command before turn two, drew away from these in a nice mile. IN A TINY WAY was between horses early and tucked, pulled out 3/16 before the winner, made the lead 5/16 then yielded, held on to the distant second. GRAPPLE HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 en route to command, saw two go by in quarter two, shuffled some, Pocono Pike and had some rally. STAR TRACK HANOVER was second-over, blindswitched far turn, cleared midstretch and had a bit of late trot. MAGICAL JOURNEY was the first on top, shuffled way back, outside ¾ and soon three-wide, flattened out. GIVEM THE GOO started uncovered into turn two, gained until the 11/16 then stopped gaining. MISS PRINCIPLE was off the gate a bit, far back throughout. HAMMER CREEK sat outside near the back, broke on the second turn.

NINTH RACE – NOPEWASNTME moved out before the 5/8, picked up new cover far turn, wide in the stretch and closed very strongly to decision ALL CLASS. The latter was outside 5/16 and uncovered past the 3/8, challenged and got the lead to the ¾, drifted a little wide in the lane, just failed to hold on in a good race. FULL SUPPORT moved past the ¼ and went in front just past the 3/8, had hard pressure from the place horse and saw him go by to the ¾, stayed connected and went to the Pocono Pike, just a bit short late. BINGE ON YANKEE was behind a gapper in last, got to the deep Pocono Pike and finished furiously. LITE N SWEET was in front, made a “hidden” quarter-move, yielded again, came out ¾ after the lead changed hands, held OK after very hard usage. ERINWOOD YVES was three-deep past the 1/8, in front 3/16, shuffled back a bit, not too much inside late. DONT GET SHOCKED took back to tuck 3/16, not heard from again.

TENTH RACE – NASEY challenged for the lead but needed until the 3/8 to cross over, yielded to the half and sat in the pocket, had a good rally in the Pocono Pike to take the decision. JUSTLIKEHIM was quickly on top, kept the winner out a long way before yielding, then came right back to get the lead before the half, not able to last to the line. VALENTINE EXPRESS was close-up throughout, uncovered 5/8 and challenged, held his ground well. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR trailed, swung wide in the stretch and finished strongly. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT trotted evenly. EXCHEQUER came out midbackstretch but didn’t enter the main picture. BLENHEIM left and was out with cover early, broke 3/16, recovered, gained the first half of the backstretch then stalled and broke again.

ELEVENTH RACE – THORN TOAD moved behind the parked horse into turn two, three-wide shortly into the backstretch and three-deep until into the far turn, where he finally cleared the dueling pair inside him, drew away. FOUT made two speed moves to the 3/8 then wouldn’t give up the lead to a challenger, finally gave way midturn but stayed on for second. HESTONATOR was third-over, stayed two-wide in a blindswitch position down the back, three-wide midturn, just along for the distant third. CABOT BEACH sat in, wasn’t helped having to circle a breaker on the turn, had some finishing pace on the inside. FEEL MY WRATH pulled at the ¼ and was left raw 3/8, challenged very hard for the lead during a fast third quarter, tired late turn. PARK STREET BLUES and ESTEEM were well back when having to avoid the breaker. CAPTAIN UP was on top at the 1/8, pushed the retaker to the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, made a break midturn and went to the infield.

TWELFTH RACE – MAC’S DELIGHT quarter-moved and took command, under a hold while going a big third quarter, saw the others catch up nearing the ¾ but gamely maintained the advantage. HURRIKANE JOHNYBOY was on top to the first turn, yielded, in third until moving raw ¾, challenged hard throughout the last ¼. CERULEAN HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn, got the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner, tightened back in on that one late backstretch, Pocono Pike, a step shy. ZEUS HANOVER started outside before the ¾ then got cover, was moving well late. GALLIE GETAWAY stayed in, didn’t become a major factor. LOUIE THE LOOPER was far back most of the way, didn’t have a clear path late. BEACH VIBES offered little. SIMPLY FAST was rough leaving, had lost contact by the ¼.

THIRTEENTH RACE – ALDEBARAN ACRUX was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide up to the lead 5/16, got a breather to the half, didn’t have pressure and proved the best. DEVIOUS PROMISES took back for the early pocket, sat third-in, cleared to the inside and narrowed in. BUDWEISER GIRL was buried inside far turn, found room to the far inside and gained some late. BY A HOFF HANOVER left and forced a tuck, yielded for the pocket, moved out headstretch but drifted out and did not gain. U BAKE THE CAKE moved out 11/16, didn’t get close, inside of the drifting pocket horse in the lane, evenly. GINA’S ON FIRE was never prominent. MISSILE spotted, moved second-over but had little to offer. ULI BLUE CHIP had no forward gear at any point.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, June 12, 2023

Jun 17, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – High 70s dropping through the 70s through the card … As the track took on more water, the track condition was downgraded: “fast +0” races 1-4, “good +1” race 5, and “sloppy +1” the rest of the way … TUIS SHADOW left and secured the two-hole to the first turn, loose early in the backstretch but narrowed in, had clearance in the stretch as the pacesetter bore out, just held off SORTIE. The latter stayed in, shuffled behind a gapper later on the turn, then angled sharply three-wide into the stretch, made up a lot of ground and almost got there. MUSCLES JARED headed down the road at a good clip, bore way out through the lane but didn’t miss by much. CREEMORE was uncovered towards the half, one-geared, did OK. FORREST tucked third before the ¼, sat in, gapped on the turn, came back some as the pace slowed a bit late. STEEL SCHOONER was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide from early on the turn, wasn’t prominent. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was never in the picture. FAMOUS DAN was second-over, gapped before the ¾.

SECOND RACE – RIOT reluctantly settled in the pocket for a bit, then was on the move off the first turn and went directly to the lead, had a fairly easy time of it. PANTHEON HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8, settled in third, came outside nearing headstretch and went on steadily. ARTACHE HANOVER one-geared first-over, didn’t get close to the winner, bore out in the stretch but tried hard. RUNHAPPY TEN went evenly along the inside. BLAKEMORE left well to take control early, then yielded for the pocket, had very little left approaching the wire. BOLTMAN was second-over, blindswitched, no factor. WHAT’S GOIN ON was not a factor. SPORTS BOX moved three-wide from third-over 11/16 but broke far turn.

THIRD RACE – Drizzle … CELEBRITY SABRINA moved second-over down the back and three-wide far turn, trotted away from these. TEDDY BROSEVELT made two speed moves and set the pace, held off all but the winner. CRITICAL MASS sat in and was shuffled, followed the path of the winner in the stretch with some trot. FRAC was third-over, three-wide with cover late turn, fair late. UFTON ABBY HANOVER tucked early, moved uncovered off turn two but never quite got close to the winner, tired. CUPID HANOVER went to the front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, struggled from past the 5/8. NO NAME YANKEE jumped early.

FOURTH RACE – Track rerated to “good +1” … ACTION SHOT went to the front past the 1/8, unchallenged until late, enough to resist TOMMY BOY HANOVER. The latter was wide early then settled in, started uncovered past the ½, gradually worked his way closer, kept on trying hard to come up just shy. LEAST WEASEL stayed in, evenly along the inside late. SOX backed out to follow cover 5/8, gained in a slowing pace. F SCOTT’S MUSE ran briefly early then reset, stayed with the pack in a good recovery. SWEDISH HAT yielded for the two-hole, wasn’t keeping the hole filled 5/8, broke midstretch. STRONG BREW was inside, broke going to the Pocono Pike early stretch. HS REMINGTON moved out on the second turn but never got close, broke far turn.

FIFTH RACE – Now “sloppy +1,” which it would stay the rest of the day … AWESOMENESS was third-over, able to go three-wide late turn and four-wide headstretch, passed everybody late. GLOBALDOMINATION N set the pace with two moves, kept up a good tempo, held on to beat all but the late charger. STELLAR BLUE CHIP was three-wide into turn one, settled in fourth, then had good cover second-over, eased three-wide headstretch, OK but outkicked from behind. SELECT FRIDAY was in front past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike but not quite enough response late. SHARKY BEAR got a forward spot early, went uncovered off turn two, never a major danger but held on well. MISTER DAYTONA N sat in, had no clear path in the lane. LACHIE MAGUIRE N got out excess cover, three-wide 11/16 but didn’t make up ground. MARVELOCITY was not heard from.

SIXTH RACE – Almost “downpour” conditions according to Announcer Jim … ONE HUNDRED POOF started edging out near the ½, inexorably made his way forward to the leader, needed until towards deep stretch to get by but won confidently with a big last panel. SMOOTH LANDING was three-high towards turn one, two-wide to the lead just past the 3/16, would have beaten most fields of this type with his mile. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was wide leaving, on top at the 1/8, yielded before the ¼ for the two-hole, outtrotted the rest for the distant third. SEMINOLE MOON left, yielded, in, evenly late. DINKY WINKY never showed much. KNIGHTS GUARD moved outside 5/8 but gapped. THE OTHER PAIR were always at the back of the field.

SEVENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND DESI was three-wide most of the 3/16, then to command off turn one, rated the half, dealt with the first-over, then had to be good to withstand GET THE PICTURE nearing the wire. The latter went out between horses and crossed over towards the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, was a bit loose in the hole late backstretch and into the turn but then narrowed in, outside stretch and continued to narrow in late but just missed getting there. NINA HANOVER moved out with cover, ducked inside when cover faded on the turn, clear third. RAVIOLI broke at the start, recovered, third-over but gapped, recovered for a minor share. MISS HALL made a good move off turn two to challenge the winner, but fell back quickly in the last ¼. TAILWIND PAT gapped from midrace. KT DOUBLE DEUCE showed little. EVER HOPEFUL G broke coming off the turn before the start, caught the field but could progress no further before tiring.

EIGHTH RACE – ASTON HILL DAVE moved out fourth-over in a very lively flow, swung four-wide in the stretch and came a long way to be just up on the money at $68.40. PERKINS started uncovered past the 3/8, gradually worked up and was on the lead late backstretch, still had a clear margin midstretch but just got nailed by the winner’s burst, good mile of his own at 16-1. GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE was behind the winner in the flow, uncovered before the ¾, ducked in the pocket midturn then eased out in the lane, not quite enough, won a photo for third over CAPTAIN MALICIOUS. The latter was also in the outside flow, briefly uncovered off the top two then three-wide entering the stretch, not quite enough. MIDNIGHT DAY was innermost of three leavers and ensured the pocket in the fast ¼, shuffled badly late backstretch, finally got out in a blindswitch but couldn’t get back in the race. BLACKLIGHT sat in and was shuffled to last, not prominent. HES REALLY KEEN left between horses, took back to the three-hole towards the ¼, also shuffled badly, never recovered. IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING paid a lot of gold (26.2) to be king of the pace here, no response when challenged towards the ¾ backing up the entire inner tier.

NINTH RACE – LADY LIRA was three-deep before turn one, went into the pocket to the 3/16 and stayed close, outside late turn and trotted right on by. SANTA MONICA AS established command quickly and strung out the field, held for second. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER got an early spot, up the inside to be third. SELENA DEO had some speed then gapped from the quarter onward. I CANT REFUSE moved uncovered 11/16 and made some progress before flattening. CHEROKEE JOY was last, got nonflowing cover 11/16, a bit of trot on the far outside late.  ALDEBARAN BURST did not get a good start; she and GADOT HANOVER were never really in it.

TENTH RACE – SWANKY HANOVER was fourth-over, then suddenly second-over in a good flow as the first-over cleared and the second-over broke near the half, three-wide midturn, trotted away late. WEATHER VANES went from third-over to first-over and continuously moved up, briefly on the lead before early stretch, stayed on well even if outkicked. LOUS LANCELOT was two-wide in a four- then three-way early battle, tucked 3/16, shuffled late far turn then angled to the path behind the winner, finished well . SAINT TRIXIE pushed a foe hard well past a fast quarter before yielding, regained at the half, tired in the stretch. SIR FRANK was in a good flow but gapped. QUARANTINA was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide most of the quick quarter, finally to the lead 3/8, yielded just past the half, faded significantly in the last ¼. GETTING ALLFIREDUP was three-wide early, angled down to tuck fourth to the 1/8, gapped most of the last half. UNRESOLVED DEBT angled behind the early fighters for a tuck, moved uncovered 3/8, broke at the half.

ELEVENTH RACE – GRATIAN HANOVER tucked and defended the pocket, sat a good trip, to the Pocono Pike and along. REGAL ESCAPE was last at the half and far back midbackstretch, ducked in around a sluggish foe then showed very good steady forward progress from there. OHARE HANOVER went uncovered on the backstretch, grinded up to challenge, couldn’t quite sustain the move. LAST MATH was behind moribund cover, three-wide ¾, didn’t kick in until too late. GROOVY MAN wanted the lead and took it in a 26.2 opener, had a challenger come to him on the far turn, tired. MCNEILL Z TAM tucked third, not heard from late. LATEST ATTRACTION gapped. LUC ROCKS started the outer charge towards turn two but then started backing up off that bend.

TWELFTH RACE – TACTICAL MOUNDS bided time outside early then proceeded up gradually to take over 3/8, had a clear lead throughout the last half, Matt Kakaley’s seventh of the day. SILENT NIGHT took command at the 1/8, pushed some then yielded 3/8, couldn’t keep up with the winner from the half but continued to try hard and was game to hold second over INSIDE EXPRESS. The latter was second-over, three-wide far turn, then ducked inside for the stretch and almost caught the deuce. OLD MAGIC left and yielded, not badly-placed but with little to offer late. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA never entered the picture. I’M AMUSED moved out before the 5/8, didn’t have much. RUFFLES N LACE took back early, broke 3/16.

THIRTEENTH RACE – BULLY BOY HILL let the early action settle then moved from fourth 3/16 to the lead 5/16, shook off the first-over, more than enough to win the finale. NICE STUFF came all the way up the inside from midpack, finished well. CHUCKY DE VIE was wide early and onward to the lead 3/16, yielded 5/16, pocket, came out in the stretch but didn’t gain. MISS MUSCLE was second-over, three-wide past midturn, a little belatedly. SWIZZLE HANOVER moved to third-over ¾, four-wide late turn, not a threat. LOUS LIVIA and PADRE were near the back throughout. KEEGAN HO got a forward spot early, moved uncovered down the back to challenge, but couldn’t sustain the progress late.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, June 11, 2023

Jun 17, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Starting warm, then gradually dropping 12 degrees through the card, as Sunday cards do here … Mild stretch headwind early, which would dissipate … UPTOWN LADY N left between horses to the lead, yielded but was quick to move outside 3/16 before another front-end seeker pinned her in, made the lead at the ¼ and again yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and was a good winner. EMMY LOU HAYES was three-wide leaving and got to the front, saw two go by early in the mile, stayed in, to the deep Pike and rallied for second. BETTE TINA moved uncovered 5/8 and advanced well, held her ground OK late. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was outleft, three-wide with cover early then left three-wide 3/16 to the ¼, then to two-wide to command, set the pace, came up shy. TRAFFIC JAM gapped third-over, had some belated pace on the far outside. BE BEST was not prominent. ICARUS FALLS N gapped second-over down the back then got closer, didn’t gain late.

SECOND RACE – NANCY BAR took over at the 1/8 and kept control of this race throughout. JESSIES OUTLAWED worked into a 3-tuck 3/16, moved outside at the ¾ and while no match for the winner did get up for second over MATTER OF TRUST. The latter rode in the pocket, went loose f the winner ¾, so-so late. BAR COINS couldn’t keep up late backstretch. CURRY HANOVER beat out stragglers for the last check. GREEK LEGEND couldn’t go enough; nor could MUSCLES D’ORO. STRIKING COUNT was trying to make up some ground from far back when breaking 11/16.

THIRD RACE – WISTERIA HANOVER yielded to sit the good two-hole trip, outside stretch and outsprinted FLARES ZIVA in the latter stages. The latter went on to the front 3/16, slowed the half, sprinted home with the winner but couldn’t quite hold her off. BARCELONA PRINCESS spotted third, was going to go wide nearing headstretch but instead ducked to the open Pocono Pike, not bad. ULURU found a 4-tuck at the 1/8, evenly. BINGO BRAIN did not have a great start, went uncovered 5/8, stopped gaining on the far turn. DIVINE ZETTE moved outside late backstretch but never featured. QUEEN OF THORNTON gapped. LIRA HANOVER broke at the 5/8.

FOURTH RACE – SPARROW HANOVER had cover early, lost it at the 1/8 and went on to take control off the first turn, went on gamely to the wire in a fast maiden victory. STAY GROUNDED left to 1/8 command, yielded past the ¼, pulled out midturn, didn’t look like the easiest horse to keep on course the last 1/8 but was pacing strongly. MOTLEY RAY tucked early, moved outside ¾, three-wide past midturn as the pocketsitter moved, flattened in the lane. THE NEXT TWO were never prominent. SILK ROAD left well, yielded, struggled most of the last half. THE OTHER PAIR were far back throughout.

FIFTH RACE – LLOYD WRIGHT moved uncovered 5/8, got cover before the ¾, came wide in the stretch and made up a lot of ground to be up late (the last quarter was 30). MOMONI DE VIE was three-wide just past the 1/8 then on to take the top in a very fast quarter for these, set the pace, held well. BIG BALLER BEANE was the innermost of three leavers, yielded just past the 1/8, could advance to the pocket ¾, Pocono Pike, not bad. WENTWORTH HANOVER stayed in, OK deep in the Pike. AUSTRAL HANOVER was between horses early, crossed over just past the 1/8 and yielded at the ¼, pulled the pocket before the ¾, empty in the lane. IM AN ANDOVER broke right at the start.

SIXTH RACE – EVERHART HANOVER went quickly to the top, had things her own way on the lead, won comfortably. BIRDIE THREE made the pocket quickly, didn’t gain in the lane but did hold on to second. HUNGRY FOR MONEY spotted midpack, came out 11/16, one-geared, gained some. MIKI B MOUSE followed cover late backstretch, wide headstretch, some late. MORE PLEASE got in third at the 3/16, had room inside but had no more to give. SELINA HANOVER stayed in, didn’t have a clear path late. HONEYMOON TRAIL lost contact late backstretch. SWEET GADGETS was away slowly and never improved.

SEVENTH RACE – Wind had gone to calm … TAILGATE BUZZ challenged for early supremacy and got it past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole just past the 3/8, outside early stretch and went by nicely late. MANCLANE gapped the first quarter duel, then narrowed in, moved 5/16 to the front just past the 3/8, faced a good challenge down the back and through the turn, couldn’t hold the lead, just did save second over LIKE A WARRIOR. The latter sat in and was shuffled to last, had room in the Pocono Pike and responded pretty well late. LATAVIUS tightened in and quickly moved up first-over before the 5/8, battled hard with the leader, then tired. I’LL OWE YOU ONE gapped cover. OPEN BAR left had then yielded, backed out to second-over 11/16, swung wide but bore very wide late turn, never got back into the race.

EIGHTH RACE —  GRIZZ WYLLIE was wide into turn one, got in fourth near the 1/8, then moved second-over, tipped off cover early stretch and had a better gear very late to just get up over BATTIN ATHOUSAND. The latter moved raw 5/8 and was head-to-head with the leader 11/16, got a short lead deep stretch, missed in the last step. SNOWMAN HANOVER ranged up to take over at the ¼, rated the half, accelerated with a challenger came up late backstretch, not quite enough in the battle home. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN was first to the lead, yielded at the ¼ and stayed tight in the pocket, but couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike. BUDDY EARL gapped outside. BAR KEEP DE VIE couldn’t offer much. SHARP CURVE moved outside, gapped, broke far turn.

NINTH RACE – AMADOR assumed control past the 1/8 and appeared to have no trouble while comin home in 56.1 – 28. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS yielded for the pocket and got a good trip, could not threaten late. ARCHIBALD sat in until late on the far turn, wide and got third in the last couple steps. CHOCO CHARLIE came out of third ¾, evenly late. TRUEMASS VOLO never featured. STONE MASON pulled out from last into the bottom turn, gained until getting cover to the ¾, then started to back off. SWEET HEART AS backed out to follow cover 11/16 but didn’t have much.

TENTH RACE – ONCE IN A LIFETIME was cleverly driven by Tetrick: he spotted behind the three dueling early leavers and tightened in, then saw the middle challenger break and the outside challenger take back to tuck behind him, so enjoyed the pocket trip, to the Pocono Pike and quickly made the lead midstretch, held off a good late kick from FRENCH WINE. The latter was well-placed second-over, wide, raced well but was beaten by a trip horse. SAINT LOUIE wanted early control and got it, slowed the half then picked up the pace, couldn’t hold on. COMMANDER FRANK was uncovered on the second turn and trotted a big third quarter challenging the leader, fell back a little late. HERODOTUS was three-wide well past the 1/8, took back to third after the middle horse in the duel broke, inside, fair. SINATRA DE VIE sat in and was shuffled to the back of the main group, outside far turn, evenly late. CRANTINI was looking to tuck in the pocket when he broke 3/16. FATHER STOSH broke at the ¼.

ELEVENTH RACE – EXPRESS MAN took the express track home after an early rival broke, rated the half then sprinted to be much the best. I GOT THE TAB gained two- and three-wide on the turn, was doing well late to be up for second. FIRE N LIGHTNING took a midpack tuck early, moved early on the backstretch and gained, got to tuck in the pocket nearing headstretch, couldn’t hold the deuce late. KOBE B went in third at the 1/8 then became second as a rival broke, couldn’t keep up in the pocket from nearing the 5/8. SWAN JOVI gapped. ENZO AGUELLO gapped down the back, came outside to the ¾ to avoid a shuffle, broke upper stretch. BIG BOY ERNEST left, looked to be backing off to tuck in the pocket 3/16 but went offstride.

TWELFTH RACE – KHAOSAN ROAD got third early, started up again and grinded raw, went to the lead just past midstretch and was the best. KENOBI was three-wide early and looped, did not go into a big pocket near the ¼ and pressed on past that 26.4 station to make the lead before the 3/8, trotted home strongly. SPITFIRE OVERSEES was third-over, chose to duck into the deep Pocono Pike headstretch and kicked the plugs, made up good ground. CHAMBA was four-wide leaving and three-wide to the 1/8 en route to the lead in the fast opener, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, couldn’t gain late inside. SQUARED AWAY was second-over behind good cover but didn’t have too much late. THE NEXT TWO couldn’t keep up. INTER MISCHIEF was looking to leave but broke early.

THIRTEENTH RACE – AFLAME HANOVER was three-wide to turn one, got the top 3/16, sprinted home in 54.2 to maintain control in the finale. SOMBODYITREASURE used the rail to big advantage and rode in the pocket, eased out early stretch and gained a little but never enough. KB MAC was between horses early and tucked third, not keeping with the top two late backstretch, clearly third. GOOD DEAL avoided the outer tier. CALYPSO ROCK N was third-over behind stale cover, inside mid-far turn and took the last check. A STUD NAMED SAM was uncovered nearing turn two, advanced some in the fast third quarter then backed off. SPORTY DRAGON was second-over, gapped 5/8. ROCK THREE TIMES was always last.