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 four times and finished third three times since Sept. 10. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.

Aqueduct

Kissa Melissa: Bloke slowly, raced seventh and last 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals at the quarter pole, rallied belatedly from third in stretch to make up 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Oct. 29; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Saginaw: Sprinted clear on rail, led by two lengths after a half-mile, steadily increased margin to six lengths in stretch and cruised in hand to win by 11 1/2 lengths at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 28.

CALDER

Ms. N. Tarsia: Broke poorly, raced 12th and last early, advanced to 11th more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied between rivals from fourth to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 25.

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 Oct. 16.

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.

CHARLES TOWN

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 at Delaware Park.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Apple Charlotte: Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, blocked and steadied in upper stretch, dropped to 11th, recovered quickly, closed like a rocket to make up more than 10 1/4 lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a good turf course Nov. 1.

DELAWARE PARK

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.)

HAWTHORNE

Country Zip: Raced more than 12 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled in for stretch run, made up nearly three lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a length at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 22.

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. (Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, finished well making up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and ran second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 24.)

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.)

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

Most Wanted Affair: Raced fifth and last more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide to third in stretch, finished well outside making up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and ran second beaten a head at a mile on Oct. 20.

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. (Bumped at break, tracked pace in fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, made a three wide move into stretch and rallied to finish second beaten a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 29.)

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

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

Cherokee Champion: Raced more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, split rivals, made up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 18.

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.

Minor Issues: 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. (Pressed pace less than three-quarters of a length behind in third after a half-mile, moved to second three wide for the drive, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second by 1 3/4 lengths at a mile on Oct. 25.)

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. (Raced more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, moved out in upper stretch and gained third by a length at six furlongs on Oct. 24.)

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.

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.)

TURF PARADISE

Taint That a Cat: Raced fifth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled five wide for the drive, made up nearly 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a head and a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 26.

Stressless: Raced seventh and last early, moved to sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied outside to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs on Oct. 25.

WOODBINE

Honour Fulfilled: Raced 13th early, dropped to 14th and last more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked in 12th by rival at top of the stretch, angled out at eighth pole, finished full of run making up more than two lengths and ran second nosed out at 6 1/2 furlongs Oct. 21.

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: 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. (Broke eighth and last, pressed pace in third less than three-quarters of a length behind after a half-mile, rallied to take lead in stretch and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths ridden out at seven furlongs on Oct. 31.)

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 Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 2:19 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.