Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
by GREG MELIKOV
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 twice and finished third two times since Feb. 14.
Aqueduct
Charlie Caliente: Broke slowly sixth and last, trailed inside by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, angled out, made up more than 6 1/2 lengths and finished a game second beaten 1 1/2 lengths at a mile on March 28.
Ommadon’s Frenzy: Raced greenly in seventh more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground advancing in traffic to sixth into stretch, closed fast when clear to make up more than 4 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 16. (Raced more than 10 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied from fifth in stretch to finish third by a neck at six furlongs on March 9.)
Irish Blast: Bumped at break, steadied, raced seventh early, advanced to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to make up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 9. (Pressed pace inside in third a head and length back after a half-mile, rallied wide to gain lead in stretch and drew off by 4 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface on March 8.)
Gulfstream Park
Manhasset Indian: Raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 5 1/4 lengths and finished second full of run beaten 1 1/4 lengths at five furlongs on the turf March 28.
Sibari Son: Broke from outside post sixth and last, advanced to fourth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, boxed in entering turn, pinched back to fifth losing ground, found room along rail entering stretch, rallied to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on March 5.
Pick Six: Broke slowly 11th and last, moved to eighth early, dropped to ninth more than fourth lengths behind after a half-mile, raced four wide around far turn, rallied to third in stretch, made up 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 8; fan final 2 1/2 furlongs in 30 seconds.
Porticipation: Broke slowly 13th and last, moved to eighth early, dropped to ninth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by 1 3/4 lengths at a mile on Feb. 8; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.
Lady Byar: Broke slowly, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth and last 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain second by 1 3/4 lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 27; returned $10.80 for place. (Broke alertly, taken back, trailed by 7 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch and gained third by a half-length at a mile on March 27.)
Hawthorne
Open Bar: Raced 10 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, swung out seven wide into stretch, closed from fifth to make up 1 3/4 lengths and finished second by a half-length at six furlongs March 22.
Sole of the City: Broke on top, stalked pace early, led by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, seized command on turn, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off by 10 1/4 lengths under token right-handed encouragement at six furlongs on March 7; ran final quarter in 23 3/5. (Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after three-eighths of a mile, seized command in stretch and drew off by 1 3/4 lengths under firm handling at 5 1/2 furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface on March 22.)
Laurel Park
Take a Check: Raced five lengths behind in third after a half-mile, launched rally near five-sixteenths pole, lost ground into stretch, closed steadily to make up 4 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on March 27.
Archoman: Raced eight lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed strongly from sixth to make up more than 4 1/2 lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on March 1; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Raced three wide more than five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, circled field to gain second in stretch and closed fast to win by a neck at seven furlongs on March 21; returned $10.60 on the front end.)
Honor Student: Broke a step slow, raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost several lengths around far turn, angled out from rail for drive, made up more than 5 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 20.
Diller: Trailed by more than 14 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, advanced from eighth to fifth in stretch, made up more than five lengths and finished second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 7.
Oaklawn Park
Lord’s View: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, roused for drive, made up three lengths in stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on March 27.
Passmnalexus: Broke inward, raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced four wide into stretch, finished willingly to make up 3 3/4 lengths and ran second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on March 1.
Splash of Bold: Dueled early, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, shook clear by a length in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface on March 7. (Tracked pace more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied four wide on turn to second in stretch and won by a half-lengths at six furlongs on March 26.)
Bugsy McCool: Raced seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made up 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second by 10 lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 8.
Chin High: Broke 11th and last, trailed by more than 16 lengths after a half-mile, rallied four wide into the lane, made up 4 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/6 miles on Jan. 21. (Raced seven lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and drew off driving to win by 1 3/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 14.)
Philadelphia Park
De Fearless One: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, rallied extremely wide from fourth in stretch, made up more than 3 3/4 lengths and closed with good energy to finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 25.
Rymar: Raced more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, split rivals on turn losing ground, rallied from sixth to make up 6 1/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by a head at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 5.
Jorkat Slew: Raced fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and held place by a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 17. (Raced 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, bore out badly on turn, rallied to make up five lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 22.)
Sam Houston Race Park
La Estrellita: Raced sixth more than 11 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth five wide into stretch, closed fast to make up 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on March 28.
Runaway Lil Bull: Broke slowly eighth and last, trailed by more than 7 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fifth in stretch, made up nearly 4 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on Feb. 22; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.
Fred’s Day: Jostled after start, raced sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, raced three wide on turn into stretch, rallied between rivals to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and closed well to finish second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 2.
Santa Anita Park
River Echo: Crowded after breaking seventh and last, raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, made up four lengths and finished well in second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 27; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
Sure Thing Eva: Raced seventh more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside from fifth to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at seven furlongs on Feb. 2; ran final three furlongs in 36 2/5.
Turf Paradise
Sharpster: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a nose at mile on March 28.
Madly Paddlin Home: Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground four wide on turn, finished gamely making up 3 3/4 lengths in stretch and ran second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 3.
Miss Dow Jones: Broke seventh and last, raced more than 1 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in stretch, made up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 8.
Crazy Girl: Led by a head after a half-mile, battled winner into stretch and gave ground grudgingly late and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Feb. 4. (Set pace, leading by a half-length after a half-mile, dug in gamely down the stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on a sealed wet fast surface Feb. 22.)
Turfway Park
Why Yield: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, closed fast outside from fifth in stretch and gained second by a nose at 6 1/2 furlongs on March 27.
En El Fuego: Raced ninth more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to 10th on fare turn, caught in traffic advancing to fifth in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 7 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a nose at a mile on Feb. 8.
"Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch" was posted on 1 April 2008 10:28 AM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Racing Picks & Betting Tips, Special Features
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