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 four times since Nov. 28. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
Aqueduct
Fortyninegeorgest: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals in upper stretch, finished strongly to make up nearly 6 1/2 lengths and ran second nosed out at six furlongs on the sealed fast inner track Dec. 26.
Quiet Mover: Checked at start, raced sixth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied belatedly in stretch to make up 5 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Dec. 10; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.
Almighty Silver: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh under a firm hold on rail, swung three wide entering stretch, closed strongly from fifth to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on the inner track Dec. 4; ran final quarter in 23 1/5. (Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced five wide on far turn, took lead in mid-stretch and won by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed sloppy surface Dec. 26; returned $15.40 on the front end.)
Check It Twice: Raced eighth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch, rallied belatedly from sixth to make up more than 3 1/4 lengths and gained third by a half-length at six furlongs on the good inner track Dec. 3; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
Upper Gulch: Raced 14 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung four wide for drive, rallied belatedly to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Nov. 29.
Chestoria: Raced sixth more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, launched three wide bid entering stretch, closed fast from fifth to make up 6 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 12; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 29 4/5.
Kissa Melissa: Raced 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out in mid-stretch and finished third at six furlongs on Nov. 25. (Tracked pace in third a head and a length back after a half-mile, swung three wide on turn, threatened in stretch, but could close gap and finished in that position beaten a neck for second at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Dec. 13.)
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 the turf Oct. 12 at Philadelphia Park. (Raced more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied three wide on far turn and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 28.)
Delta Downs
Carson Connection: Raced sixth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground around far turn, made up two lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 22.
Hunterbunter: Broke slowly, bothered, raced ninth and last more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied six wide in stretch from sixth, made up more than 2 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Dec. 17.
Superior Thief: Raced more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to sixth after six furlongs, closed fast late to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Dec. 3. (Pressed pace early, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, dueled with winner down the lane and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Dec. 30; returned $9.20 for place.)
Anna’s Glory: Raced seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced four wide from seventh on far turn, rallied from third in stretch, made up three lengths and drew clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 21. (Raced eighth early, dropped to ninth and last more than 12 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fifth in stretch and finished third by a head at a mile on Dec. 10.)
Fair Grounds
Inti: Raced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch losing ground, spilt rivals, made up 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at about a mile on a yielding turf course Dec. 20.
New Elite: Raced sixth more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely in stretch to make up two lengths and gained second by two lengths at a mile and 40 yards on a sealed good surface Dec. 17.
Sunny Lights: Raced more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground steered to outside in mid-stretch, made up more than 2 3/4 lengths and finished third by 2 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 29.
Eat N Run: Raced ninth and last more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, switched to outside in stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and finished second by a half-length at a mile on the turf Nov. 27.
Gulfstream Park
Alluring Power: Raced fifth early, dropped to seventh more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground on turn, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths and gained second by 4 1/4 lengths at a mile on Jan. 3.
Ms. N. Tarsia: Broke awkwardly 10th and last, raced sixth more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground on turn, angled out in stretch, rallied from four to take command inside the eighth pole and drew off to win by 4 3/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 15 at Calder. (Broke slowly, raced more than 12 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, closed fast from fourth in stretch and won by a nose at six furlongs on Nov. 28 at Calder.)
Hawthorne
Daylight Creek: Went immediately to front, led by a head after a half-mile, dropped back to second after six furlongs, lost ground to third in stretch, came again gamely to make up two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 6. (Broke sharply, stalked pace two lengths behind in second after a half-mile, grabbed lead by a head after six furlongs, battled throughout stretch and won by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a good surface Dec. 23; returned $14.60 on the front end.)
Jimmy Got Even: Raced fifth more than four lengths behind in traffic fifth after half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish third at six furlongs on Nov. 27. (Raced sixth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed willingly in stretch and gained third by 3 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 23.)
Laurel Park
L’Affaire: Bore in leaving gate, bumped foe, raced fifth early, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out three wide entering stretch, rallied from fifth between rivals, made up more than 4 1/2 lengths and gained second by a half-length at a mile on Dec. 16.
Sleep Out: Stalked pace a length behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground circling rivals into stretch, made up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 3.
Swing Music: Raced 8 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, steadied near the 4 1/2-furlong marker, came five wide for the drive, made up 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Nov. 26; ran final quarter in 23 4/5. (Flipped behind gate, raced fourth early, dropped to sixth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came back through the final furlongs, rallied in stretch and gained third by 1 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs on Dec. 16.)
Philadelphia Park
Morador Liers: Broke a step slow 10th and last, moved to fifth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, closed well in stretch to make up nearly four lengths and finished third beaten a neck for place at 5 1/2 furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Dec. 27.
Liger: Raced seventh and last early, moved to sixth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied widest from fifth in stretch, made up more than 2 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten a head and three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Dec. 7.
G’day Mate: Steadied at start, raced more than 1 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost a couple of lengths entering stretch, closed willingly to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 1. (Pursued pace more than four lengths behind in third after a half-mile, moved to second in stretch and closed gap but couldn’t catch winner at six furlongs on Dec. 28.)
Cuvee Rouge: Pressed fast pace in third two heads behind after a half-mile, moved to second in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and held position 3 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 16. (Tracked pace more than two lengths behind in second after a half-mile, advanced to second drifting out in mid-stretch and closed fast nearing wire to win by a neck at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface on Dec. 5.)
Santa Anita Park
Alphie’s Bet: Broke 10th and last, trailed by more than 10 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up more than 1 1/4 lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26.
Tampa Bay Downs
Flatter This: Raced more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, weaved through traffic on far turn, rallied outside to make up 1 3/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 1/2 lengths at a mile on the turf Dec. 26.
Blazen: Pinched back after breaking 10th and last, moved to eighth more than 9 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to ninth after six furlongs, swung out for stretch run, rallied to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on a yielding turf course Nov. 28 at Calder; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.
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 at Churchill Downs. (Raced more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, made a quick move inside on far turn, angled out to take lead after entering stretch, drew off while racing greenly and won by 5 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 16.)
Turf Paradise
Panamanian: Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in stretch, made up 1 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on Dec. 26.
Highland Games: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied six wide in stretch to make up more than two lengths and finished second nosed out at a mile on Dec. 12. (Raced fifth more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and rallied to finish second nosed out at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf Jan. 2.)
Turfway Park
Footlongkorn: Tracked pace two lengths behind in second after a half-mile, lost ground dropping to fourth in stretch, rallied willingly to make up more than 1 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 28.
Victory Sign: Broke in air, lost ground, raced sixth more than 9 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out to clear rivals, came five wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by 2 1/4 lengths at a mile on Dec. 12. (Raced sixth more than 12 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, rallied from fifth to make up more than 5 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Jan. 3.)
Lion’s Den: Hopped at start, raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out entering stretch, made up 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 29. (Stumbled at start, recovered quickly, pressed pace a head back after three-eighths of a mile, took lead by a half-length in stretch and won by a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on Dec. 17.)
"Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch" was posted on 4 January 2010 12:05 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips
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