Fear Factor Kicks In. Street Sense Is Out of Belmont Stakes 2007

By GREG MELIKOV

Welcome to horse racing’s Fear Factor. The television series that ran from 2001 through last year captured the attention of many viewers. Racing’s version goes back many decades. I’m talking years and years. But the measure of success depends on your point of view. Let me count the ways.

In ’73, only four horses challenged Secretariat in the third leg of his Triple Crown sweep for obvious reasons. Five years later the same number tried to derail Affirmed’s gallop into Triple Crown history, among them Alydar, the runner-up all three times.

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Belmont Stakes 2007. Fear Factor Rears Its Head.

By GREG MELIKOV

The 2007 Belmont Stakes should read a welcome to horse racing’s Fear Factor. “Fear Factor”, the television series that ran from 2001 through last year captured the attention of many TV viewers in America.

Horse racing’s version goes back many decades. I’m talking years and years. But the measure of success depends on your point of view. Let me count the ways.

Read full story: "Belmont Stakes 2007. Fear Factor Rears Its Head."...

Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve in their next outing, won three races, ran second once and finished third once since April 17.

ARLINGTON PARK

Altercation: Bumped at break, trailed by more than six lengths after a half-mile, rallied from 10th to fourth in stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and lost by a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on May 13; ran final quarter in 24 flat.

Sadler’s Trick: Taken up at break, raced seventh early, trailed 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, ranged up six wide for drive, moved from eighth to fifth in stretch and rallied late to third beaten a nose and a neck at a mile on May 5.

More Horses To Watch

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Preakness Stakes to pit Street Sense vs. Hard Spun. Rivalries Make for Great Triple Crown Races

By GREG MELIKOV

Street Sense All eyes will be on Street Sense vs. Hard Spun rivalry at the 2007 Preakness Stakes. Rivalries have added thrills galore to racing throughout the years, especially during the Triple Crown season.

Affirmed and Alydar battling in the 1978 Triple Crown season was especially electrifying as Affirmed edged Alydar in all three races to become the 11th and last TC champion.

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Kentucky Derby Handicapping, Look on the Positive Side

By GREG MELIKOV

I like to concentrate on the can dos instead of the can nots when handicapping the Kentucky Derby. So I’m going to accentuate the positive, reminiscent of the hit song in 1944.

Since a good foundation is most helpful, look for horses that ran at least once as a 2-year-old and had good speed figures, plus those that won at a mile or longer.

The top contenders, in alphabetical order, fit all three horseshoes: Any Given Saturday, Domincan, Nobiz Like Shobiz, Scat Daddy, Stormello and Street Sense.

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Horse Betting Tip: Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov won three races and finished second three times since April 8.

AQUEDUCT RACE TRACK

He’s Tough: Broke slowly, raced seventh early, moved to sixth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced inside for the drive, angled out in third to make up six lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on April 19.

More Horses To Watch

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Cobalt Blue Wins San Felipe Stakes

Cobalt Blue pulled a wire-to-wire victory in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. The son of Golden Missile took advantage of a moderate pace in the five-horse Grade II race to cover the mile-and-one-sixteenth distance in 1:42.46.

Ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, Cobalt Blue easily defeated race favorite and runner-up Air Commander. Cobalt Blue is lightly raced and may have his next start at the the Illinois Derby next month, to prove his mettle for the 2007 Kentucky Derby on May 5.

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3-Year-Olds Go for Fountain of Youth and Hutcheson Stakes Wins

By GREG MELIKOV

A pair of Grade 2 stakes for 3-year-old horse contenders on Saturday will help determine the favorites for Gulfstream Park’s $1 million Florida Derby four weeks later.

The 61st running of the $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes was first captured by Twenty Thirty in 1945 when staged at 1 1/16 miles, the distance for all except a half-dozen contests. High Fly triumphed in ’05 when it was extended to 1 1/8 miles.

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The Tote Board Can Be Beneficial to Your Handicapping

By GREG MELIKOV

How many times have you heard: “That longshot just dropped from 15-1. Somebody must have bet a bundle on him.”

“That horse should be lower than 5-1.”

“There’s no action on my pick at all.”

Those are some observations I’ve heard watching the tote board trackside over the years. When the board lights up, you should pay attention. And since it’s often said, “money talks,” listen because the board has loads to say that can be beneficial to your handicapping.

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A Good Horse Betting Handicapping Tool: Trainer-Jockey Stats

By GREG MELIKOV

I’ve found that winning trainer-jockey combinations over the past several years have become an important ingredient in my recipe for successful handicapping of horse racing events.

Such jockey trainer horse racing stats have been around for a long time, but didn’t come into vogue until the 1990s. Now you can find them most anywhere in print or online – free or for a fee.

However, not all horse racing handicappers feel the same way I do. For example, TVG co-host/researcher Rich Perloff says:

“I think it can be very instructional. I pay more attention to the trainer right off than the jockey. If a horse interests me I check further.”

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