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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 seven times, ran second seven times and finished third five times since Sept. 2. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.

Arlington Park

Last Wompas: Pressed pace in third a head and a half-length behind after a half-mile, dueled late in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Sept. 3. (Unruly in gate, broke sixth and last, zipped to front right away, led by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to two lengths in stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 25.)

Crater Maker: Raced third early, dropped to fifth 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses on far turn, closed gap in stretch to make up four lengths and finished second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 14. (Went right to the front, led by a length after a half-mile and prevailed by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 10.)

BELMONT

Ranger James: Broke 10th and last, raced ninth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out from eighth losing ground on far turn, advanced to fifth in stretch, rallied to make up more than three lengths and gained second by a nose at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Sept. 20.

Bawana Jake: Pressed pace a head behind after a quarter-mile, surged to front by a half-length after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to increase margin to 3 1/2 lengths and drew off to win by 10 3/4 lengths under mild urging in 1:09 3/5 for six furlongs on Sept, 11; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.

Smart Seattle: Stalked pace in fourth two heads and 1 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, raced greenly a bit in stretch, boxed, steadied, traveled sideways several strides, went outside for room, unleashed powerful late kick and won going away by a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Aug. 13 at Saratoga; ran final 1 1/2 furlongs in 17 2/5. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made sharp move on turn to draw even with winner, battled outside to mid-stretch and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 3 at Saratoga.)

Wekiva Wachee: Broke slowly sixth and last, raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, saved ground to the lane, made up 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished a game second beaten a length at six furlongs on Aug. 28 at Monmouth Park.

CALDER

Catreign: Bumped with third-place finisher at start, raced 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied along rail in stretch to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and ran second beaten three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on Oct. 1.

Paizano: Sprinted to a clear lead of five lengths after the first quarter mile, increased margin to seven lengths in stretch and drew off to win under wraps by 11 1/4 lengths at six furlongs in 1:11 3/5 on Sept. 17.

Qureall: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 6 1/2 furlongs after three-eighths of a mile, steadied soon after entering turn, checked again when trapped behind rivals at the quarter pole, angled out for room in stretch, made up more than 3 1/2 lengths and gained second by 3 1/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 6. (Grabbed lead by a head after a quarter mile, increased margin to a length after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by 5 1/4 lengths under urging at seven furlongs on Sept. 18.)

Whatta Light: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, swung out for the drive losing ground, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at five furlongs on Sept. 3.

DELAWARE PARK

Proud Moment: Raced seventh more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, fanned five wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Sept. 19.

Tiger At Nite: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a half-mile, angled six wide for the drive, closed well from fourth in stretch to make up 2 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 2.

HAWTHORNE

Hail Victory: Bumped soundly at break, raced more than 12 lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, closed fast through traffic in stretch from sixth to make up more than six lengths and gained second by a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 2.

LAUREL PARK

High Hill: Raced seventh more than eight lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled five wide for the drive, closed willingly in stretch from fifth to make up 6 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on a good surface Sept. 30.

Palace Wizard: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, eased out between horses in upper stretch, altered course five wide past eighth pole and closed willingly to make up more than 6 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at a mile on Sept. 17 at Fairplex. (Raced to the front right away, led by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, gave way grudgingly in stretch and held second by 1 1/4 lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 2.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Anna’s Glory: Raced more than 8 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch making up 3 1/2 lengths and gained second by 2 1/2 lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 13. (Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied five wide on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch by a head and won by three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 27.)

Miss Alice Nell: Stalked pace in third a head and 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to grab lead in stretch and drew clear under token encouragement to win by 9 1/4 lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 20. (Raced seventh and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch three lengths behind in fourth and finished full of run to win by two lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 17; returned $17.20 on the front end and $8.40 to place.

Walkinpicture: Chased pace in seventh more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide late on the turn, roused for drive advancing to second in stretch and finished full of run to win by 4 3/4 lengths going away at seven furlongs on Aug. 22. (Broke a bit slowly, raced more than 11 1/2 behind in seventh after a half-mile, came four wide out of the turn, made up more than two lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Sept. 10; returned $7.60 for place.)

MEADOWLANDS

Joaquin Memphis: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, moved to fourth going wide into stretch, made up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 1; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Leather: Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, launched rally midway on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch and won by 2 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 7 at Monmouth. (Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in sixth, advanced to third on far turn, dropped to fourth in stretch and rallied to gain third by a nose at a mile on the turf Oct. 1)

OAK TREE AT SANTA ANITA

Bel Air Sizzle: Broke eighth and last from outside 8th post, trailed by more than 10 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied outside from sixth in stretch, made up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on the turf Oct. 1; ran final quarter in 21 4/5.

Get Funky: Broke alertly from outside 10th post, raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came wide losing a couple of lengths into the stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf Sept. 30.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Hibernia Gold: Raced eighth early, advanced wide to fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, closed to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten two necks at five furlongs on a good turf course Sept. 22.

Saucon Meadow: Raced more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground entering stretch, made up 3 1/2 lengths and gained second by a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 9 at Delaware Park. (Raced 10th early, advanced to sixth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside rivals into stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second by two lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 23 at Delaware Park.)

Digital Dreams: Raced ninth and last more than nine lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out leaving quarter pole, rallied from sixth to make up more than three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 9. (Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than 8 1/2 lengths after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from sixth along rail in stretch and finished second by a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 29.)

Reflected Way: Raced third early, eased back to sixth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up three lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on Sept. 1.

Speechifying: Racing more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch, steadied, altered course toward rail and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Aug. 19 at Saratoga; advanced to first when winner was disqualified for interference and placed second. (Shuffled back at break, raced seventh more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch and rallied to gain third by 1 3/4 lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 19.)

Minor Issues: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in sixth and last, angled out into the lane, closed fast in stretch, couldn’t catch winner and finished second by a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 29. (Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide in stretch and finished third at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 14.)

Cuvee Rouge: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost several lengths entering stretch, closed willingly to make up 5 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 11. (Raced fourth early, gained lead five wide near quarter pole, dueled a bit before drawing clear in stretch and won by two lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 2.)

RETAMA PARK

Triofield: Raced nine lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, saved ground for the drive, angled out in stretch, closed fast from ninth to make up more than 7 1/2 lengths and finished fourth beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a neck at 7 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 2.

Dance All the Way: Raced more than seven lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch, made up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf Oct. 1.

Fly So Open: Broke alertly, raced second early, dropped back to eighth and last 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out five wide for drive, rallied from fourth to make up more than 1 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Sept. 18. (Bumped by rival going three wide while losing ground on first turn, raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied six wide from fifth entering stretch and finished third beaten a length for place at a mile on Oct. 1.)

Gentleman Volponi: Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Sept. 10.

Jeff Kentucky: Broke from the outside 14th post, raced 10th early, moved to sixth more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Aug. 28. (Raced more than 8 1/2 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, eased out to pass rival approaching quarter pole, moved inside of third-place finisher in upper stretch, rallied from third to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths and caught leader at wire to win by a head at a mile on Sept. 17.)

TURFWAY PARK

Zipper Zapper: Stalked pace in fifth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, trapped behind a wall of rivals dropping back to sixth after six furlongs, slipped through along rail to gain lead by a head in stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 30 at Ellis Park; returned $27.40 on the front end and $10.40 for place. (Raced two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, moved inside for the drive and rallied in stretch to finish second beaten a head at six furlongs on Sept. 24.)

WOODBINE

Lady’s First Cat: Raced 12 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied gamely in stretch to make up more than three lengths and gained third by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 25.

Becky’s Kitten: Broke sharply, but raced ninth early, dropped to 10th and last more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide on far turn, advanced to fifth in stretch, rallied between rivals to make up four lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on the turf Sept. 19; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Beaujelais Nouveau: Raced more than four lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, rallied six wide through the turn to fifth in the stretch, rallied gamely to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Sept. 2. (Chased pace in fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide on turn to third in stretch and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Sept. 24.)

Wiseher: Raced more than eight lengths behind in 13th after a half-mile, hustled six wide on far turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 30 seconds. (Raced 5 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied a bit in stretch and finished third beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Oct.1; returned $9.90 for show.)

About The Author Greg Melikov: Horse Racing Handicapper/Turf Writer

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 horse 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’s Horses to Watch" was posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.