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Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well or improve significantly next time out, won six times, ran second eight times and finished third twice since Oct. 24. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when charting your betting strategy.
Heir to the Stone: Stumbled at start, bumped, raced fourth early, advanced to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied turning for home, made up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Dec. 14.
The Shaughraun: Broke next to last from the outside 10th post, raced 11 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, turned for home five wide in fifth, finished willingly to make up 2 1/2 lengths and ran second by a neck at a mile on the inner track Dec. 7.
Sobee: Broke through gate prior to start, raced 10th and last 19 lengths behind last after a half-mile, rallied four wide on far turn to sixth in stretch, made up more than 4 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a head at a mile on a good turf course Nov. 20; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.
Captain Backfire: Stumbled badly at start, raced seventh and last 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, fanned three wide heading home, rallied with good energy late to make up 6 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Nov. 1; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
Lincoln’s Bullet: Raced sixth more than seven lengths behind after a three-eighths of a mile, swung out for the drive in fourth, made up 4 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 20.
Witty Woman: Raced fourth early, dropped to sixth more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
Wild Blue Dreams: Tracked pace 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, chased winner in stretch, but couldn’t close gap and finished second by 4 3/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 22. (Tracked pace 1 1/2 lengths behind in second after a half-mile, moved to threaten the winner at the quarter pole, but couldn’t close gap and finished 5 1/2 lengths ahead for the place at six furlongs on Dec. 19.)
Super Whipper: Raced inside more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled outside winner in stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on a good surface Oct. 25.
Appealing Runner: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 13. (Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up 32 1/2 lengths and finished full of run to gain second by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 1.)
Jazz in the Park: Raced more than 13 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, sung out for the drive, closed fast from fifth to make up more than 4 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Dec. 18; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
Fifty Five: Broke ninth and last, raced more than 10 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came inside on far turn, angled out for drive, went inside in stretch rallying from seventh to second, made up five lengths and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Dec. 6.
Char’s Bob’n Robin: Broke ninth and last, brushed back to trail early, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, swung seven wide for drive, rallied to make up 3 1/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 20
Bow Tie Pasta: Broke sideways ninth and last, moved to fifth 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied repeatedly along backstretch losing a couple of lengths, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, made up a length in stretch and finished a game fourth at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 6.
Marvelex: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground angling out five wide for clear run, brushed with rival, made up 1 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Nov. 2. (Raced second early, dropped to third more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, moved four wide into stretch and finished second by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 23.)
Sky High Spirit: Raced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied through traffic from fifth in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 22.
Bar Hoppin: Broke 12th and last, trailed by more than 7 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied three wide into stretch to third, closed steadily to make up six lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 27; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung six wide into stretch, rallied from third to make up two lengths and won by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a good surface Oct. 24.)
Perfect Magic: Raced sixth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, made up more than three lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 20; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.
Day of the South: Squeezed at start, raced seventh more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled in for drive, came out mid-stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than four lengths and finished third beaten a length and a nose at six furlongs on Nov. 6; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
Bruno’s a Biter: Broke alertly from post 12, raced 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground circling rivals on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Dec. 18.
Anjunothat: Stalked contested pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out midway on turn, took command in upper stretch and drew off under confident handling to win by nine lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 6; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.
Count On Lou: Broke sixth and last, steadied, trailed by more than 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, lost ground moving to fifth for the drive, eased out near eighth pole, rallied from third and finished second beaten a nose at a mile on Nov. 19. (Raced more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and rallied from third in stretch to gain second by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 5.)
Unbridled Behavior: Raced seventh and last early, advanced to fifth four wide eight lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely in stretch from third to make up five lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Nov. 5; ran final quarter in 24 seconds. (Raced 10 lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, swung out very wide in mid-stretch, closed sharply from fourth under strong handling and won by three-quarters of a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 21.)
Crack the Opus: Broke in air, rushed up inside to chase pace 4 1/2 lengths behind in second after a half-mile, eased out for drive, made up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on a sealed muddy track Oct. 25. (Prompted pace a length behind after a half-mile, failed to respond in stretch and finished second at seven furlongs on a sloppy surface Nov. 14.)
Rescigno: Broke 11th and last, trailed by more than 20 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, advanced between rivals to fifth in stretch, eased outside near sixteenth pole, made up 3 1/2 lengths and drove clear to win by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 23; returned $12 on the front end. (Raced ninth more than 12 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide entering stretch and finished third by a length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Nov. 22.)
Philadelphia Park
Smitten Citi: Clipped heels of rivals while racing fifth, near five-sixteenth and quarter poles, closed from fourth in stretch to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths and finished second by a nose at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 16.
Novation: Sprinted to front, led by five lengths after a half-mile, steadily increased margin in stretch and cruised to easy win by 14 3/4 lengths at six furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Dec. 2.
Take a Leap: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch, finished fast to make up 4 1/2 lengths and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4 at Philadelphia Park. (Broke a step slow seventh and last, raced eight lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, carried wide around turn, rallied to second in stretch, made up 5 1/2 lengths and finished full of run beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 2 at Penn National.)
Lemon Spray: Broke a step slow eighth and last, steadied and bumped along backstretch, rallied to lead by 1 1/2 lengths off rail approaching far turn, bore out leaving quarter pole, drifted further outward in stretch, wavered lanes and finished second by a length at a mile on Nov. 11.
Wildcattwentyfour: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch and finished third by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 25. (Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by 7 1/2 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 29; returned $8 for place.)
Etrain: Raced fourth early, dropped back to eighth and last through the turn, rallied from seventh in stretch and finish third beaten a neck for place at six furlongs on Oct. 20; ran final quarter in 24 4/5 at Delaware Park.
Retama Park
Aille’s Heartflush: Unruly in gate, vied for lead early, raced a half-length ahead after three-eighths of a mile, dueled with winner in stretch and ran second defeated a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 18.
Magic Misty: Raced seventh more than five lengths behind after a three-eighths of a mile, angled out off turn to fifth in stretch, closed willingly to make up 3 1/4 lengths and finished second by a head at five furlongs on Nov. 7.
Cowgirl Cool: Fractious in gate, original rider hurt and replaced, stalked pace 2 1/2 lengths behind in second, dropped to third after six furlongs, rallied in stretch and gained second by 2 3/4 lengths at a mile on Nov. 21. (Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied on turn to take second, but couldn’t catch winner while securing the place by a dozen lengths at a mile on Dec. 5.)
Fiesta Margarita: Broke from the outside 10th post, raced 10th and last early, advanced to ninth more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide to fourth in stretch, closed fast to make up 4 1/2 lengths and finished second nosed out at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 11. (Raced more than 3 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, swung out four wide in upper stretch, rallied from second and won by a length on Nov. 20.)
Bill’s Last Fling: Broke alertly from the outside 13th post, chased leader early in second, took lead by a length after a half-mile, drew clear in upper stretch and won by 6 1/2 lengths ridden out at six furlongs on Sept. 27.
Waco Hug: Broke seventh and last, trailed by eight lengths after a half-mile, rallied on far turn to grabbed lead, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and drew off ridden out to win by 12 1/4 lengths at a mile on Oct. 17. (Raced sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, circled field five wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and won by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 6; returned $11.20 on the front end.)
Derry: Bumped at break, raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, closed steadily to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 20.
Ransom Captive: Tracked pace more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, awaited room for the drive, advanced to third in stretch, steadied near sixteenth pole and gained second by a neck at a mile on the turf Dec. 6.
His Way: Raced more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, awaited room on turn and top of the stretch, closed to gain third beaten a head and a half-length at about a mile on the turf Nov. 21. (Raced third early, dropped to fifth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in upper stretch, threw his head inside the furlong marker and finished third beaten two necks at a mile on the turf Dec. 8.)
Dante’s Gulch: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, made up 3 1/2 lengths and finished second by 3 1/4 lengths at a mile on Oct. 25.
Hills of Roses: Broke from the outside ninth post, raced fourth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled in during stretch run, rallied to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on Oct. 10. (Chased pace five lengths behind in second after three-eighths of a mile and rallied in stretch to win by a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 26.)
Turfway Park
Charlie V.: Raced more than 3 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled into the five path on far turn, dueled with three rivals heads apart in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 18.
Southern Squire: Broke in the air, raced seventh early, moved to sixth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses for the drive, gained second in stretch, made up 3 1/2 lengths and lost by a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 5.
Silver Bayer: Raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied inside to gain second and was beaten by two lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 18 at Calder. (Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, assumed command entering stretch and drew clear to win by 7 3/4 lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 7.)
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One Response to “Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch”
fred
December 24th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
great site. Recommend you make a alphabet listing of your horses just to show their name and date that each horse was added to your listing. Happy New Year.
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fred
December 24th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
great site. Recommend you make a alphabet listing of your horses just to show their name and date that each horse was added to your listing. Happy New Year.