Pocono: Horses to watch from June 17 - June 20

Saturday, June 17

AFLAME HANOVER (NW9000) tucked, tipped to the third panel, rushed to the top and drew off impressively.

BUILDING BOOST (NW13500) was second over behind poor cover, rallied wide and just missed. Well-bet second choice bears watching in next.

THE DARK SHADOW (CLMHCP30/40000) yielded twice, rallied strong and won going away in three-move score last time around the oval.

MAXIMUS NIKI (NW20000) co-favorite was a just-miss late closer in last.

Sunday, June 18

DRINKONAPLANE (NW4400) was buried on the rail and shuffled badly as the leader and pocket horse caved. Rallied late with willing pace and should not be overlooked.

PIANO BAR (STALLION) yielded, retook and held stubbornly but was nailed in the last step. Barn is always alive.

LAST MACH (NW2500) tucked early, pulled uncovered to the half, challenged the prohibitive favorite all the way to the stretch before backing off to be second best at 11-1.

ROSITA (STALLION) trotter rushed home from third over and came up a bit short in the photo.

Monday, June 18

LIKE A WARRIOR (NW4) favorite left, tucked, got buried as the lead changed and horses gave way, cleared late, rallied and could get luckier or smarter in next.

BLAKEMORE (CLMHCP10/12500) sat last, rallied late with good pace between horses.

BUDDY EARL (NW2) rallied wide, roared through the lane and won going away from far back and can take another.

ONE HUNDRED PROOF (NW2) tucked to the quarter, raced third over and closed strongly to win impressively. Trotter would be no surprise with repeat win.

KEYSTONE SERGEANT (NW2500) rallied into contention with good uncovered brush down the back and just missed at odds of nearly 15-1 to the pacesetting odds-on favorite.

Tuesday, June 20

STENDAHL HANOVER (NW2500) left, took back, tucked, pulled to the third panel and was a game second at over 30-1 to the prohibitive favorite.

STONE MASON (NW6300) was bet like a winner, got away slow like a loser, rallied strong but late like a future winner.

SWEET HOME (W2-5FM) flashed some late speed from third over in last and bears watching in next.

SPARROW HANOVER (NW2) yielded, retook and that was that in impressive romp.