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 four times, ran second five times and finished third six times since July 4. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.
ARLINGTON PARK
Adistan: Raced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, caught five wide on far turn, lost ground carried out further in upper stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 5 1/2 lengths and gained third by 1 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on July 25.
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.
CALDER RACE COURSE
A Trippi Moment: Raced more than 8 1/2 lengths behind in ninth after three-eighths of a mile, altered course for room outside in stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second full of run beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on July 25.
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. (Chased pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile and rallied to finish second by 3 1/4 lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 1)
Alpha Glitter: Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, angled out for stretch run and rallied to win by a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 1. (Raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced four wide to third in stretch, but couldn’t close gap and finished in that position at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 8.)
DELAWARE PARK
Cray Cray: Tracked pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, responded smartly when asked to gain lead by 1 1/2 lengths in stretch and drew off to win by 7 1/4 lengths ridden out in 1:10 3/5 for six furlongs; ran final quarter in 24 1/5,
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. (Broke sixth and last, trailed by more than four lengths after a half-mile, rallied outside to make up 2 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a neck at six furlongs on July 31.)
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. (Raced 7 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied from far turn into stretch and won by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on the turf Aug. 4.)
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
Minister d’Oro: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch, split rivals to make up nearly two lengths and finished second nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 28; ran final 11/2 furlongs in 29 1/5.
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
Dower: Raced eighth more than 13 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and gained second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 23.
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: 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. (Raced six lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, swung four wide in upper stretch, powered to the front and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths at five furlongs on the turf July 30.)
LAUREL PARK
Hey Doc Holiday: Broke slowly 10th and last, trailed by more than 5 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, lost ground circling six wide into stretch, made up more than 4 1/2 lengths and gained second by 1 1/4 lengths at seven furlongs on July 31.
Safety Valve: 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 at Colonial Downs. (Chased pace 2 1/2 lengths behind in second after a half-mile, kept to the task and finished in that position beaten 2 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 6.)
LOUISIANA DOWNS
Dryden: Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, steered out six wide turning for home, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up three lengths and was nosed out at five furlongs on the turf Aug. 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. (Dueled for lead between rivals a head back in second at a half-mile, got a half-length in front in stretch, weakened and finished third beaten a half-length and a head at six furlongs on July 31.)
MONMOUTH PARK
Most Wanted Affair: Raced more than eight lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on July 25.
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.)
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 at Belmont; 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 at Belmont.)
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.
PENN NATIONAL
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 at Monmouth Park; ran final quarter in 24 seconds. (Broke sixth and last, trailed by more than four lengths after a half-mile, swung wide into stretch, closed gap in final yards and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length in a mile on the turf. July 31.)
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Quebrada Shiner: Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, split rivals rallying to stretch and closed from fifth to gain second by a head at about five furlongs on the turf July 25.
Try and Catch Me: 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. (Raced three lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in upper stretch and rallied to finish third beaten three-quarters of a length and a neck at about five furlongs on Aug. 1)
PRESQUE ISLE DOWNS
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 at Woodbine.
SARATOGA
Chestoria: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, roused nearing stretch, gained ground looking for room outside at eighth pole to split rivals when seam closed, steadied, altered course inside at sixteenth pole, finished strongly to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths and finished second nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on inner turf course July 31; ran finial 11/2 furlongs in 28 1/5.
Stopbluffing: 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.
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 at Monmouth Park. (Broke on top, led by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, dueled with winner in stretch, weakened and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 30.)
SUFFOLK DOWNS
Ginger Lemon: Broke a step slowly, raced 7 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a length at six furlongs on July 27.
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: 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. (Set pace a head in front after a half-mile, battled with winner into stretch and finished second by 5 1/2 lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 4.)
WOODBINE
Moral: Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied smartly between rivals in stretch from fifth to make up six lengths and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on July 28.
Sugar Bay: 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 July 14; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 28 4/5.
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 10 August 2010 11:34 PM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips
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