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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 six times, ran second five times and finished third five times since Sept. 10. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.

Belmont Park

Mythical Yarn: Broke 10th and last, trailed by 6 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, closed strongly from fifth in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on the turf Oct. 12; ran final three furlongs in 34 3/5.

Maram: Broke slowly ninth and last, raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, lost ground and a couple of lengths after six furlongs, advanced five wide to sixth in stretch, made up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at a mile on the turf Oct. 12; ran final four furlongs in 47 1/5.

Ranger James: Broke 10th and last, raced ninth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out from eighth pole 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. (Raced 12th and last more than 12 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide on final turn to gain lead in upper stretch and won by a length under steady urging at 1 1/4 miles on the turf Oct. 11.)

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.

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 Race Course

Chinsegut Bay: Raced seventh early, dropped to eighth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, caught in traffic on far turn and upper stretch, rallied along rail to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

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

Ready for Bear: Raced more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground and dropped to fifth in stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 13.

Proud Moment: Encountered traffic early, raced seventh more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, fanned five wide into stretch, blocked a bit, altered course, rallied from fourth and closed fast to finish second beaten a length at six furlongs on Sept. 19. (Raced 5 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and closed fast to win by 4 1/2 lengths at a mile and 70 years on Oct. 13.)

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

Jimmy Got Even: Broke slowly eighth and last, trailed by more than 5 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied five wide from fifth in stretch, made up 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 11; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

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 at Arlington Park. (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 at Arlington Park.)

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 at Arlington Park. (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 at Arlington Park.)

Keeneland

More Than Willing: Bumped at break, raced ninth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide on the turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up three lengths and finished third beaten a head for place at about seven furlongs on Oct. 10.

Capt. Candyman Can: Broke slowly, raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled out four wide exiting turn, closed fast to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 9; ran final quarter at 23 3/5.

Zipper Zapper: 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 at Turfway Park. (Raced more than 10 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied mildly from fifth in stretch and gained third by a neck at seven furlongs on Oct. 10.)

Best Actor: Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 21 at Arlington Park. (Broke 10th, dropped to 12th and last after a half-mile, lost ground trailing by more than 5 1/2 lengths after six furlongs, swung out six wide for drive and rallied from fifth in stretch to finish third beaten a half-length for second at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 10.)

Smart Seattle: 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. (Raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, got through on far turn to hit the front in stretch, increased margin to two lengths and finished second beaten a nose in final stride at 1 1/16 miles taken off the turf Oct. 15.)

Laurel Park

Wohali: Raced fourth early, steadied in traffic, dropped to fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung wide in mid-stretch after losing ground, steadied in fourth on heels of winner, rallied to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Oct. 14.

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 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. (Raced fourth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth after six furlongs, rallied to third in stretch, flattened out and retained the show by 5 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 17.)

Meadowlands

Sweettalkinjerome: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth and last eight lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground after six furlongs, rallied three wide into stretch, made up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Oct. 13; ran final four furlongs in 48 2/5.

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. (Raced seventh and last more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch to fifth, rallied mildly to finish third beaten a head for place at six furlongs on Oct. 12.)

Oak Tree at Santa Anita

Camisado: Raced in sixth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, closed fast to make up five lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 11.

Living Our Dream: Raced 10 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came three deep into stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf Oct. 8; ran final four furlongs in 47 2/5.

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.

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 at Del Mar. (Raced eighth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 1/4 lengths and gained second by 2 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 16.)

Philadelphia Park

Fortissi More: Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, entered stretch three wide, exchanged bumps with winner and finished second beaten a nose at a mile and 70 yards on a good surface Oct. 12.

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.)

Minor Issues: 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. (Stalked pacesetters in fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied mildly in stretch and gained second by 1 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 10.)

Retama Park

Ladybug Too: Raced more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eights of a mile, angled out six wide in mid-stretch, closed willingly to make up 2 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length for place at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 16.

Calirose: Raced fifth more than six lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, moved outside from fifth in stretch, closed fast to make up 5 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 15,

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.

Jeff Kentucky: 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. (Raced more then four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out in mid-stretch and finished third beaten a length for second at a mile on Oct. 16.)

Woodbine

Night Chapel: Raced more than 3 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, moved four wide into stretch, made up more than 3 1/2 lengths and ran third beaten a length at seven furlongs on Oct. 15.

Lady’s First Cat: Raced 12 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than three lengths and gained third by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 25. (Reared at start, raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied six wide in stretch and closed fast to win by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 18.)

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.)

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 20th, 2009 at 1:43 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.