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 four times, ran second three times and finished third four times since July 1. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
Arlington Park
Last Wompas: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied through traffic in stretch and gained second by 1 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 8
Crater Maker: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung widest on far turn, lost ground in stretch, closed with a rush to make up 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile on a good turf course July 24.
Bacetto: Raced eighth and last more than 10 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed with a rush in the stretch to make up 6 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at seven furlongs on July 9. (Broke slowly, raced eight lengths behind in eight and last after a half-mile, advanced five wide into stretch, closed fast late from third and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths at a mile on July 23.)
Link to My Heart: Raced 10 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, split horses in stretch, rallied late to make up more than seven lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course July 9. (Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth entering stretch and ran third by a nose at a mile on the turf Aug. 1)
Jilly From Philly: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half mile, lost ground turning for home and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third beaten less than three-quarters of a length at a mile June 7. (Raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile and finished in that position at 1 1/16 miles on July 5.)
Pure Clan: Raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth after six furlongs, steadily advanced to take lead by a head in stretch and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths at 1 3/16 miles on the turf July 11. (Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 6 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a neck at 1 1/4 miles on a good turf course Aug. 8.)
Calder Race Course
Chavelisa: Broke slowly, race 3 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, lost a bit of ground entering stretch, angled out, rallied to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on Aug. 7.
Midnight Scrimmage: Broke slowly, raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, closed well to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on July 18.
Delaware Park
Theda’s Smile: Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, worked way between rivals leaving far turn and closed gamely from fourth in stretch to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 5.
Burrowing Owl: Raced 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground going four wide in stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on June 16. (Raced four lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile and gained second by a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on July 25.)
Del Mar
Stunningly: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came three deep into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 8.
Seminole Native: Raced 10th and last more than 13 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, spilt rivals in stretch from sixth to make up more than 5 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on the turf; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.
Tallahsocean: Broke a bit slowly, raced 11th early, advanced to ninth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up outside on turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 23; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
Itsnotjustagame: Stalked pace two lengths back in third after a half-mile, lost ground swinging wide on far turn, closed willingly from fifth to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 3/8 miles on the turf July 23.
Ellis Park
Zipper Zapper: Raced more than two lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground going four wide out of turn, made up 1 3/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Aug. 8.
My Rocket Man: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground moving five wide on turn, closed well late from fifth to make up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on soft turf July 24.
Ponticiello: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, launched six wide bid into stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than 5 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at a mile on soft turf July 24; ran final quarter in 24 3/4.
Evangeline Downs
Money Haven: Broke 11th and last, advanced to seventh more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up fourth lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Aug. 5.
Feelthelightening: Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied wide from sixth in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on July 4.
Fiber Core: Broke 14th and last, moved to 12th early, advanced to seventh more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch and gained second by a neck at seven furlongs on June 19.
Louisiana Downs
Go Morgan Go: Raced two lengths back in fifth after a half-mile, bumped with rival, steadied late on the turn, lost ground, recovered, slipped through along rail in upper stretch, angled out late to make up 2 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on a good surface Aug. 2.
Walkinpicture: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came six wide out of turn, finished willingly to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on July 2. (Raced more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, challenged three wide into stretch to grab lead and increased winning margin to six lengths under steady urging at six furlongs on July 24.)
Monmouth Park
Polished Princess: Pressed pace early, dropped from second to third 2 1/2 lengths behind while losing ground after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch, made up two lengths and closed well to finish second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Aug. 5.
Brotherly Love: Stalked pace three wide two lengths back in third after a half-mile, lost ground in stretch angling inward, made up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on July 19. (Bumped at break, tracked pace in second a length behind after a half-mile, angled inside for drive and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on July 31.)
Whats Up Cuge: Chased pace more than four lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in upper stretch, made up 2 3/4 lengths and gained second by a head at five furlongs on July 5. (Broke alertly, went right to the front, led by two lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin in stretch and drew off ridden out to win by 7 1/4 lengths at five furlongs on July 26.)
Penn National
Cuvee Rouge: Bumped, bobbled soon after break in brutal trip, steadied again in tight quarters during opening quarter-mile, raced sixth more than two behind after a half-mile, blocked between rivals trying to find opening in upper stretch, steered out wider and closed well late to gain second by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 18 at Philadelphia Park; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 30 3/5.
Philadelphia Park
Pinfree: Off slow, raced seventh and last more than eight lengths behind after three-eights of a mile, launched rally on turn going widest into stretch, closed fast from fourth to make up more than 3 1/4 lengths and finished second by 2 3/4 lengths at five furlongs on Aug. 1.
Prime Delivery: Raced ninth and last more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room on far turn, and eight wide into stretch and closed steadily from seventh to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 18; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 30 2/5.
Minor Issues: Broke slowly, raced two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came very wide into stretch and rallied from second to win by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 21. (Raced 3 1/2 lengths in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground near quarter pole and finished second by 2 1/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 1)
Pleasanton
Welken: Tracked pace in fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up in tight quarters behind a wall of horses, gained command in stretch and won by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 14 at Golden Gate Fields. (Broke on top, led by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to 1 1/2 lengths after six furlongs, weakened in stretch and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on July 12.)
Saratoga
Bella Attrice: Raced 17 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, closed game to 11 1/2 lengths between rivals on far turn, steadied inside at three-sixteenths pole, angled out in mid-stretch, made up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 7; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 28 3/5.
A. P. Light: Raced more than seventh lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, circled rivals entering stretch and rallied from fourth to finish second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 7; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 29 seconds.
Diamond Song: Pinched back after breaking 11th and last, raced 5 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, caught in traffic between rivals on turn, circled five wide entering stretch, made up two lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface July 31.
Try Your Best: Raced more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, saved ground on turn, rallied inside into stretch, took an awkward step in upper stretch, steadied sharply at eighth pole awaiting room in fifth, angled outward and rallied late to gain second by three-quarters of length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 16 at Belmont.
Mustang Fever: Broke slowly 12th and last, steadied in traffic early, raced ninth more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside while awaiting room nearing quarter pole and finished well to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on the turf July 8; ran final quarter in 23 1/5 at Belmont Park.
Kutais: Steadied soon after start, raced six lengths back in seventh after a half-mile, waited behind wall of horses on far turn, altered course to outside in upper stretch, made up 2 3/4 lengths and finished second by 1 1/4 lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf July 8 at Belmont.
Hurricane Heat: Gained lead soon after break, was two lengths in front after a half-mile, discouraged pair of pursuers increasing margin to six lengths in stretch and won by 8 1/2 lengths ridden out at 7 1/2 furlongs on June 19 at Belmont. (Dueled for lead shortly after break, pressed pace in second a head back after a half-mile, took lead on turn, kept to task in stretch and won by a half-length at a mile on July 1; returned $10.20 on front end at Belmont.)
Woodbine
Social Worker: Raced five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, hustled between rivals on turn, rallied from fifth to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at seven furlongs on Aug. 6.
Lucky Lulu: Broke 11th, dropped to 12th and last 13 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch, closed fast from 10th to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by a half-length at seven furlongs on the turf July 15; ran final three quarters in 33 2/5.
"Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch" was posted on 11 August 2009 7:34 AM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips
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