Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won nine times, ran second four times and finished third four times since June 7. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.
ARLINGTON PARK
Via Di Roma: Raced inside eight lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, gathered momentum leaving far turn, rallied four wide from fifth to make up more than five lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at about a mile on the turf July 16; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.
Minister’s Joy: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, fell to seventh fanning six wide entering stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a head at a mile on the turf July 10.
Breezing Rain: Held up early racing fourth, dropped to fifth 3 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, awaited opening near mid-stretch in sixth, split rivals late, made up more than two lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at five furlongs on July 3.
Tom Archdeacon: Raced four lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to sixth entering far turn, awaited clear path at five-sixteenth pole, angled five wide in upper stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 24. (Held up early, raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, shifted out on far turn, forced inward by winner late in stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 4.)
Eternal Sunshine: Bumped at break, raced 15 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, shifted out three deep for drive, closed fast to make up more than 8 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on May 16; ran final quarter in 22 3/5. (Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted out for drive and rallied in stretch to finish second by a nose at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 18.)
BELMONT PARK
Risky Gambler: Bounced around at break, raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung wide on turn, rallied to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on the turf June 24; ran final quarter in 21 3/5. (Chased pace from break, raced third more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground turning for home and closed gap a bit finishing in that position at six furlongs on a yielding turf course July 15.)
Blazing Honor: Raced 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came wide into stretch and gained third by a head at six furlongs on the turf June 27. (Race four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, closed readily from third around sixteenth pole and drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths at seven furlongs on July 17.)
CALDER RACE COURSE
Kieman’s Legacy: Broke slowly sixth and last, trailed by more than 8 1/2 lengths, caught in tight along rail entering turn, angled out in stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 4 1/2 lengths and finished second nosed out at seven furlongs on July 15; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 47 seconds.
Mambo Meister: Broke 12th, steadied in tight, raced 10th more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled wide for room in stretch, closed well from sixth to make up more than six lengths and finished second by 3 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on July 10.
Trippindahiway: Tracked pace more than 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface July 4. (Pressed pace early, took over by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, drew off when asked in stretch and won by 6 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on July 22.)
Saint Jude: Raced eighth and last more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground into far turn, angled out for drive, made up more than 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at a mile on a good turf course; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Raced more than 11 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, dropped to ninth after six furlongs, rallied in stretch, bumped with rival near sixteenth pole and finished third by a neck at 1 1/8 miles on July 10.)
Ruby Rouge: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on May 21.
Alpha Glitter: Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied three wide on far turn to gain second, but couldn’t catch winner and was the runner-up in the slop by two lengths at 1 1/16 miles taken off the turf July 4. (Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch and finished second by 2 3/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 18.)
COLONIAL DOWNS
Safety Valve: Fractious in gate, raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth after six furlongs, angled to six path in upper stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf May 6; ran final quarter in 24 3/5. (Raced three wide five lengths behind in third after a half-mile, carried five wide turning for home, closed strongly inside the sixteenth pole to gain the lead and inched away to win by a half-length at a mile on the turf June 7.)
DELAWARE PARK
Hero’s Empire: Raced more than five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on July 17.
Barefoot Landing: Raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, forced way between rivals in mid-stretch from sixth and finished third beaten a neck and a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 3.
Andwhatelse: Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied down middle in stretch to make up more than 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on June 15. (Raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, made a big middle move after five furlongs from sixth to second in stretch and drew off to win by three lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface July 13.)
DEL MAR
Pink Diamond: Raced inside 3 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, came out into stretch, closed willingly to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths and finished second nosed out at five furlongs on the turf July 22.
ELLIS PARK
Cornwhiskey: Broke 10th and next to last, raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, circled six wide leaving far turn, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished fourth beaten a nose, neck and head at a mile on the turf July 10.
EVANGELINE DOWNS
Regency Square: Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground on the turn, closed fast in stretch to make up more than 4 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten two necks at 5 1/2 furlongs on July 15.
Title Clear: Raced more than two lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied five wide from fifth in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and as head at seven furlongs on June 16.
Bonus Plus: Tracked pace more than 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost several lengths turning for home, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on July 9. (Raced more than three lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied five wide from fifth in stretch, made up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on the turf July 16.)
HOLLYWOOD PARK
Pack Your Bags: Threw head at start, raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground going wide into stretch, made up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on June 5; ran final quarter in 23 seconds. (Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came wide into stretch and wore down pacesetter to win by a half-length at six furlongs on the turf July 1.)
LONE STAR PARK
Stradley: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than five lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground on turn, moved out at top of stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on June 17. (Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on a sloppy surface July 3.)
LOUISIANA DOWNS
Smart Dressed: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground angling out for the drive, closed fast to make up more than 5 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at about a mile on the turf July 15; ran the final quarter in 22 1/5.
Lori’s Dream: Stalked pace early in second, collared foe and led by a half-length after a half-mile, drew clear in stretch and cruised to victory by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:11 2/5 for six furlongs on July 1.
Conga Rock: Raced seventh early, dropped to eighth and last more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out for room, rallied between rivals from fifth to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on the turf June 17.
MONMOUTH PARK
Bad Debt: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 1 1/4 lengths behind after a half-mile, checked hard in traffic, angled out for drive losing a couple of lengths, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf July 11; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.
Lion Under Oath: Broke outward, raced 16 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to sixth after six furlongs, rallied three wide leaving far turn, made up more than 2 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished fourth beaten two heads and three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 10.
Poetic Pal: Raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, closed late inside from sixth to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths in stretch and gained third by two lengths at six furlongs on June 18. (Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, saved ground around far turn and rallied in stretch to gain third by 3 1/2 lengths at a mile on July 17.)
Mandurah: Drew clear right away, led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and won by 8 1/2 lengths ridden out at a mile on the turf June 6; set track record of 1:31 1/5 for the distance.
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Kittys Wish: Pressed pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, dropped to third after six furlongs and to fifth in stretch, came again to make up to make up 1 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck 1 1/16 miles on July 18.
Try and Catch Me: Raced 10th and last early, advanced to fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, boxed in, eased four wide into the lane, rallied from fourth to make up two lengths kin stretch and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on the turf July 3; advanced to first when winner was disqualified for interference near sixteenth pole. (Chased pace three lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, angled out for stretch run and finished third by 2 1/4 lengths at five furlongs on the turf July 25.)
All the Figs Men: Raced fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost a couple lengths entering stretch, closed well to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on June 4. (Tracked pace in fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide entering stretch and drew away to win by 2 1/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on June 22.)
Miss Rapture: Raced seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, forced six wide near quarter pole, closed strongly to make up more than 1 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 1/2 furlongs on May 11.
SARATOGA RACE COURSE
Stop Bluffing: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on a sealed sloppy surface July 23.
SUFFOLK DOWNS
Security Guard: Broke seventh and last, raced sixth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gap into stretch, came flying late to make up more than 6 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a half-length at six furlongs on July 14.
Two Dragons: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 4 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten a neck and 1 1/2 lengths at about 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf July 3. (Broke alertly, assumed control right away, led by a length after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths at a mile on July 21.)
WOODBINE
Sugar Boy: Raced more than six lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, blocked at top of stretch, angled out, made up more than 3 1/2 lengths and finished second full of run gaining second by 2 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 28 4/5.
Gold Strike: Raced more than 4 3/4 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out on turn, rallied to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a neck at six furlongs on July 3; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.
Freddie Anteros: Raced more than nine lengths behind in 12th after a half-mile, hustled between rivals on turn, closed fast from sixth in stretch to make up 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 17.
Signature Red: Broke sharply, went to the lead, dropped to second 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, responded smartly to grab lead in upper stretch by a head and moved clear under a hand ride to win by 1 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on the turf June 12. (Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dueled with runner-up through stretch and prevailed by a neck at six furlongs on the turf July 4.)
"Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch" was posted on 23 July 2010 11:36 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips
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