Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won five times, ran second four times and finished third three times since Feb. 4. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
Aqueduct
Half Metal Jacket: Raced 7 1/2 lengths behind in seventh and last after a half-mile, swung six wide in upper stretch, made up 3 1/2 lengths finishing full of run and ran second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 19; zipped final quarter in 23 1/5.
True Rebel: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals to advance on turn, angled out in stretch from third, made up four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 7; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
Imperial Council: Raced three wide more than a length behind after a half-mile run in 44 4/5, dueled gamely with leader in stretch and edged clear to win by two lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park. (Raced eight lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, saved ground while working way forward inside on far turn and rallied from four in stretch to gain second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on March 7.)
Chocolate Pop: Steadied in traffic along inside on first turn, raced seventh more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung five wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 10.
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. (Sprinted to lead along rail early, ahead by a length after a half-mile, came out a bit in mid-stretch and won by 1 1/4 lengths under right-handed encouragement at six furlongs on March 7.)
Fair Grounds
Miss Acapulco: Raced 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, went outside for the drive, rallied to second in stretch, rider dropped whip nearing mid-stretch, but still increased margin to 6 1/4 lengths for place at six furlongs; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.
Get Rich Quick: Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung out four wide for drive losing a couple of lengths, rallied to make up 2 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf March 7; ran final quarter in 22 4/5.
Bust a Groove: Raced fifth early, eased back to sixth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, steered out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 14.
Gulfstream Park
Rena: Raced more than five lengths behind in 10th after three-eighths of a mile, swung out for the drive, rallied from eighth in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished fourth full of run beaten 1 1/2 lengths and a neck at five furlongs on the turf; ran final furlong in 11 1/5.
Pagan Ruler: Broke a step slow ninth and last, trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, swung out in sixth for stretch run, made up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on the turf March 6; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
Prime Delivery: Raced ninth and last more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, came into stretch three wide, rallied from eighth to make up more than 4 3/4 lengths and finished third by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb. 5.
Museeb: Prompted pace along rail a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dropped back on far turn, steadied, angled outside a wall of rivals at sixteenth pole and finished dead-heated for fourth beaten less than three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 10.
Bruno’s a Biter: Broke on top from the outside 12th post, pressed pace in third after a half-mile, gained second three wide around far turn, weakened in stretch and finished third by a half-length at a mile on Jan. 24. (Broke on top, raced third early, dropped to fourth 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, dueled with leader nearing five-sixteenths pole, gained lead in stretch and drew off to win by 5 1/4 lengths at a mile on Feb. 13.)
Hawthorne
Roaring Rex: Raced sixth and last more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch after angling out at sixteenth pole, made up three lengths and finished third beaten two necks at a mile and 70 yards on March 15.
Young Brave: Broke seventh from the outside ninth post, raced more than 12 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, swung six wide into stretch and rallied from fourth to make up 2 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy surface March 7.
Laurel Park
Farleyshelonwheels: Raced more than seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung wide in upper stretch, rallied from fourth to make up nearly 4 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on March 18; ran final three furlongs in 36 1/5.
Jane’s Kid: Raced sixth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide entering the lane, rallied gamely to make up more than three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf March 6.
Seventh Street: Reared at break, rider lost iron briefly, raced seventh and last more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth to make up 4 1/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 3/4 lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 14; ran final three furlongs in 35 1/5.
Wild Scent: Raced more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in stretch to make up 5 1/4 lengths and gained second by 2 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 21; ran final quarter in 24 1/5 at Philadelphia Park.
Anjunothat: Raced six more than 11 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up 6 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 23. (Raced sixth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, closest widest from fifth in stretch and gained second by 1 1/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 26.)
Oaklawn Park
Bar Babe: Raced three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, made up 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on March 15.
Justa Streak: Pressed pace in third more than a length behind after a half-mile, grabbed lead by 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and cruised to a 6 3/4-length victory ridden out at six furlongs on March 5; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch and rallied from sixth to gain third by 1 3/4 lengths at six furlongs on March 19.)
Northern Vow: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came five wide out of turn, rallied down center of track from sixth to make up more than 4 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 15; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.
Penn National
Novation: Raced seventh early, advanced to second a head behind after a half-mile, chased leader rest of way and finished 2 1/4 lengths behind at 6 1/2 furlongs on March 9 at Philadelphia Park. (Raced more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by 1 3/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 20.)
Philadelphia Park
Bold Eagle: Broke inward 10th and last, raced more than 8 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in mid-stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 17.
Stay Safe: Went right to the lead just off rail, led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off in handy fashion to win by eight lengths going 1:10 3/5 for six furlongs on Feb. 7. (Raced 1 1/2 lengths behind on third after a half-mile, grabbed lead in mid-stretch and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths ridden out at a mile and 70 yards on March 16.)
True Values: Raced fifth early, moved to fourth four lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied on turn and rallied in stretch to finish second by a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 10. (Raced 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, moved to second in stretch and held that position by 2 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on March 10.)
Santa Anita Park
J P Jammer: Raced more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth after six furlongs, awaited room entering the lane, blocked by rivals in upper stretch, shifted out dropping to sixth, rallied past eighth pole to make up 1 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on March 19.
Reba Is Tops: Broke a bit slowly from the eighth and outside post, raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, made up more than five lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at about six furlongs on the turf March 6; ran the final 2 1/2 furlongs in 26 seconds.
Twin Turbo: Broke ninth and last, raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in mid-stretch to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on March 6.
Haka: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and gained more than 2 3/4 lengths to finish second by a neck at a mile on Feb. 7.
Brought It: Broke in the air eighth and last, moved to seventh more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a head at seven furlongs on Jan. 22. (Hopped at start, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to 1 1/2 lengths in stretch, weakened and finished third by a length at six furlongs on Feb. 4.)
White Lace Jimmy: Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, surged after coming off rail, gained more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 8.
Tampa Bay Downs
Foxy Max: Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked entering stretch in fourth, checked on heels of rivals, angled inside, made up two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on the turf March 18.
Diligent Won: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled out at the top of the lane losing ground in third, made up nearly 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 40 yards on March 5. (Tracked pace more than a length behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out four wide on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch and drew off to win by six at 1 1/16 miles on March 20.
Don’t Forget Gil: Broke through gate, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, launched middle move on far turn, swung five wide to fourth in stretch, closed to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten two necks at a mile and 40 yards on Feb. 14. (Tracked pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside to take lead in stretch, repulsed two challengers and drew off handily to win by four lengths at 1 1/16 miles on March 14.)
Privy Seal: Raced more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, boxed and blocked from far turn to mid-stretch, altered course to find racing room outside and closed fast late to finish second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf Feb. 6.
Turf Paradise
Mike’s Trippin: Broke out, bumped, raced fifth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by a nose at 6 1/2 furlongs on March 15.
Savvier: Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, closed four wide into the lane making up 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 16.
Zee Topper: Raced nine lengths behind in seventh and last after a half-mile, went four wide leaving far turn and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third by 2 1/4 lengths at a mile on Feb. 18. (Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced four wide into the lane, rallied from third in stretch to draw clear and win by 2 1/2 lengths at a mile on March 7.)
Turfway Park
Dash Randar: Raced second early, dropped to third three lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, closed well late to make up five lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 20.
Ask Sidney: Raced 7 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled out late on turn, dropped to sixth and last in upper stretch, rallied willingly late to make up more than three lengths and finished second by a length at five furlongs on March 6.
Victory Frolic: Raced more than 8 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, circled field eight wide into stretch, closed fast full of run to make up five lengths and gained second by a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 16. (Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and failed to rally at a mile on Feb. 28.)
Senorita’s Secrets: Raced 7 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth to make up more than five lengths and finished second full of run beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 6.
"Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch" was posted on 24 March 2009 10:55 AM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips
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