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Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won five races, ran second five times and finished third three times since Dec. 16.
Double Down Vinman: Bumped after break, raced seventh early, advanced to fourth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to make up more than 4 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 11; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
Kat’s Mystery: Bumped after break, trailed early, advanced from ninth to sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch losing ground, closed well to make up 7 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Jan. 6.
Borrowing Base: Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, gained second in stretch, but weakened and finished third at 1 1/4 miles on Dec. 15. (Bumped after break, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch and finished third at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 9.)
Delta Downs
Honor Jones: Raced 8 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, went four wide on far turn, closed well to fourth in stretch, made up 3 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 16 at Sam Houston Race Park. (Trailed by more that seven lengths after a half-mile, moved up from sixth to third around far turn, dueled down the stretch and won by a neck at a mile on Jan. 17.)
Rose Medallion: Broke last, trailed in eighth by 9 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came inside around far turn, closed determinedly from sixth outside to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 6.
Hallway: Raced eighth more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied before drive, lost ground, awaited room in stretch, closed determinedly from seventh to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about a mile on the turf Jan. 5.
Kindling: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th and last more than 12 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied late from ninth to make up more than 7 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Dec. 6. (Raced inside 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, moved outside for drive, closed gamely to make up 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished third at about 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Jan. 12.)
Colorful Judgement: Checked in tight quarters breaking last in tight quarters at start, raced 10th more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, closed well from fourth in stretch to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 10.
Universe: Stalked pace three wide two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth in stretch, rallied wide to make up two lengths and finished third beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 9.
Lady Byar: Trailed in eighth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch from fifth, finished full of run to make up 5 1/2 lengths and ran second beaten a nose at seven furlongs on Jan. 9; ran final three furlongs in 36 3/8.
Identical: Raced fifth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, eased outside leaders leaving turn, lost ground, rallied later to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile on Jan. 3.
One Perfect Day: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, looked for room on turn, angled out for drive, rallied to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Dec. 22. (Chased pace inside more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out to take lead in stretch, drifted a bit, lost lead briefly and came again to prevail by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Jan. 6.)
Imperturbable: Broke last, advanced to ninth more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung very wide in mid-stretch, rallied from seventh to up more than 5 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final eighth in 12 4/5.
Preminger: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung to five path in upper stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Jan. 5.
Casual: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out five wide advancing to third in stretch and won by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 1 at Laurel Park. (Pressed pace early in third, grabbed lead by a half-length by the half-mile pole and drew off by 6 1/4 lengths after being roused sharply at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 14.)
Helen Says: Raced fifth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed willingly in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished third beaten 1 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 7. (Grabbed lead by a half-length after a half-mile, moved clear leaving the fife-sixteenths pole and drew off by 10 3/4 lengths under a tight right-handed drive at seven furlongs on a sealed muddy track in the rain on Dec. 26; returned $12.60 to win and $8 to place.)
Baseball Diamond: Dueled early, led by a head after a half-mile, battled in upper stretch and weakened to third at seven furlongs on Dec. 15. (Raced third early, dropped to fourth three lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied inside to gain second by a neck at seven furlongs on Jan. 3.)
Philadelphia Park
Frenchburg: Broke from outside post, raced more than six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced to fourth along rail in stretch, closed to make up nearly 4 1/2 length and finished third beaten a head and a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 8.
Premium Saltine: Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 24.
Graded by Results: Raced fourth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed fast to make up more than 4 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at six furlongs on Dec. 4.
Sam Houston Race Park
Nasheet: Jostled with third-place finisher at start, raced three wide into first turn, was more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed well to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf Jan. 6.
Susies Cameo Girl: Jostled at start, raced third early, dropped to fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted three wide midway through far turn, rallied to make up 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Jan. 5.
Tejas Cat: Broke seventh and last, raced five lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, swung six wide for drive, advanced to fourth in stretch, closed willingly to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on a good surface Nov. 24. (Stalked pace in third early, dropped to fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out three wide in upper stretch to gain lead by a length and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 16.)
Mostacolli Mort: Stalked pace inside four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths and finished willingly to run second beaten a nose at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Jan. 11.
Adarlyn Cat: Broke from outside 12 post, raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in ninth after three-eighth of a mile, steadied in tight entering turn, came three deep to eighth in stretch, angled out, closed gamely to make up 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 1/2 furlongs Jan. 10.
Unbidable: Raced outside between rivals early in eighth, moved closer to rail in fifth six lengths behind after a half-mile, forced out some into turn, came three deep into stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at six furlongs on Jan. 4; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.
Your Quote: Broke next to last, in tight early in sixth, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, raced four wide leaving backstretch, came three deep into stretch losing ground, rallied to make up more than four lengths and finished third beaten two lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 28.
Dirty Dish Mitch: Steadied into the first turn, raced fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second after six furlongs, took lead in stretch and kicked clear under a steady hand ride to win by 8 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 mile on Dec. 6 at Hollywood Park. (Stalked pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch and held place by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Dec. 26; returned $7.80 for second.)
Clearly Best: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 10 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from fifth three wide on far turn to third in stretch, made up 4 1/2 lengths and closed willingly to finish second beaten two lengths at a mile on Jan. 10.
Budge Man: Broke last, raced eighth more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals late on far turn to reach sixth, angled out for drive, closed fast from fourth to make up seven lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Jan. 5.
Dixie Decision: Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, moved between horses around far turn to reach contention, rallied clear in stretch to gain lead by a half-length and won by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Dec. 8; returned $10 on front end. (Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, bounced around between rivals midway through far turn losing ground to fifth, closed willingly from fourth in stretch and prevailed by a half-length at a mile on Jan. 9.)
Turf Paradise
Moody Rythum: Broke next to last, raced 10th more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into the lane, made up more than 2 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished well to gain second by four lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 27. (Jostled repeatedly at start, raced seventh more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by 1 3/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 12.)
Skycloud: Broke outward, bumped at start, gained late in stretch and finished dead-heated for second beaten 1 1/2 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 15.
Danceafunnymile: Raced eight lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, eased out in stretch while racing greenly, finished well making up more than 3 1/2 lengths and ran second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Dec. 7.
Mo Jo Annie: Raced third early, dropped to fourth after three-eighths of a mile, advanced to third in stretch and finished a willing second beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 14. (Broke out, bumped, raced fifth more than 9 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, advanced to fourth in stretch and finished gamely to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 7.)
Crazy Girl: Raced fourth early, moved to lead three wide on bend, responded to urging gradually edging away through the final furlong and won by 5 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 8. (Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, moved out on turn, but lacked needed response and finished in same spot at six furlongs on Dec. 23.)
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Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear in print and on the Internet around the world. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, his favorite horse, whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.
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Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear in print and on the Internet around the world. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, his favorite horse, whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.
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