Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won four races, finished second six times and ran third three times since June 13.
I Like Ike: Raced eighth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth to make up more than 6 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course July 21.
Dubuque: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and lost by a nose and 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 13.
Lacer: Raced eighth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, encountered traffic, dropped to 11th more than 7 ½ lengths behind after six furlongs, rallied from seventh through traffic, made up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at about 1 1/16 furlongs on the turf July 6.
Wild Slide: Raced more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground to sixth in stretch, rallied making up more than 6 ½ lengths and gained second by a half-length at five furlongs on June 30.
Act Like a Lion: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 16 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, rallied from seventh to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beat a length at seven furlongs on June 23; ran final three furlongs in 35 4/5.
Dr. Feelgood: Broke 10th, raced more than 18 lengths behind in 11th after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, made up 6 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on June 14. (Raced fifth early, dropped to last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from seventh to fourth in stretch and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on July 8.)
Redefined: Raced seventh early, advanced to fourth nine lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch to make up 7 ½ lengths and finished a game second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on June 30. (Raced with pace into stretch, advanced to second and lost by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on inner turf course July 22.)
Victory Assured: Raced fourth early, fell to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in traffic on far turn, steadied again in stretch racing fourth and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/8 miles on a good inner turf course June 13. (Raced seventh more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on a good inner turf course July 7.)
Exton: Broke eighth, crowded at start, raced three wide in sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, closed well to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 24. (Led by a head from the start, pressed by three different rivals, dug in gamely in stretch and prevailed by a nose at 1 1/16 miles at Belmont on June 13.)
Dynhocracy: Raced fifth early, advanced to third in stretch, bumped by rival, steadied and finished second beaten a length at 4 ½ furlongs on July 21.
Trey: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a quarter-mile, saved ground around turn, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished full of run to gain second by three lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on July 13.
Tinted Moon: Broke slowly, trailed by more than eight lengths after three-eighths of a mile, angled outside in stretch, closed well from sixth to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 5.
Waywardwillie: Hit gate at break, raced sixth early, advanced to fourth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from third in stretch to make up 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by a length at five furlongs on June 29.
No More Masters: Hit gate, trailed by more than 10 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, swung wide for the drive and closed well from eighth to gain second by 1 ½ lengths at five furlongs on June 23. (Tracked pace in third 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and finished second by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 9.)
Angel Made: Pressed pace into stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on June 29. (Raced third early, lost ground to fourth in stretch and rallied to finish second by 2 ½ lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on July 12).
Angel Wings: Flew out of the gate on rail to the front, led by three lengths after a half-mile, drew off through the stretch to win by 12 ¾ lengths in a hand ride at six furlongs on May 14. (Rushed to the lead, raced two lengths ahead after a half-mile and drew clear under a vigorous hand ride to win by 3 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface June 21.)
Lady Tropicana: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled three wide on far turn, grabbed lead by five lengths and won by 12 ½ lengths ridden out at 1 1/16 miles on May 27. (Tracked pace three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, slipped through along rail to second in stretch and edged away to win by two lengths at 1 1/16 miles on July 8; returned $14.80 on the front end.)
Victory Joe: Bumped between rivals at break, squeezed back, raced fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in mid-stretch, rallied to second making up 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head at six furlongs on July 22.
Queen Holly: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from sixth along rail in stretch, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and was beaten a head for second at five furlongs on July 2 at Hollywood Park.
Big Bad Leroybrown: Raced sixth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on June 29. (Chased pace more than seven lengths in seventh after a half-mile, rallied from fifth to take lead by a half-length in stretch, weakened and finished second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on July 22.)
Raedonald: Trailed by more than six lengths after three-eighths of a mile, advanced six wide to fifth into the lane, carried out very wide in stretch by fading leader, made up nearly five lengths and was nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf July 22.
Daring Julie: Trailed by more than 3 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, maneuvered six wide for drive, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf July 15.
La Bala: Broke from outside post, raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after half-mile, moved five wide leaving turn, advanced to fourth in stretch, angled inside winner to make up 3 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on July 14.
Three Cities: Broke sluggishly, squeezed back, trailed early, moved to fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, split rivals six wide with a burst of speed in the final furlong, made up more than 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ lengths on the turf July 7.
Invading Deputy: Tracked pace in third 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, came three wide for drive, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on July 22.
Absent Friend: Broke last, trailed by more than 25 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied down middle of stretch from sixth to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on July 1. (Broke in, raced 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, roused for drive and gained third by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on July 15.)
Driftwood Lodge: Raced seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, began a steady gain to fourth in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good surface June 29.
MONMOUTH PARK
Open Sleigh: Raced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, saved ground on far turn, angled out for drive, rallied from fourth to second in stretch, made up more than 3 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 22.
Tease: Trailed early, advanced to seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth to fourth in stretch, made up nearly five lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at a mile on July 15.
Lockup: Trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, closed well outside to make up more than five lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on July 15; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
Capital Crime: Pressed pace early, gained lead by a head after a half-mile, led by three lengths in stretch and cruised to 10-length victory ridden out at six furlongs on July 6; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.
West Abe: Pinched back at start, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied on rail from third to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths in stretch and was nosed out at a mile on June 30.
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Chastise: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, lacked room leaving quarter pole, rallied from fourth when clear in stretch, finished gamely to make up five lengths and lost by a neck at about five furlongs on the turf July 21.
Misty Pearl: Chased pace in sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground through turn, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths in stretch and was nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on July 8.
Peggys Run: Raced fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, lost ground advancing to fifth in stretch, split rivals, finished well making up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf July 2.
Yo Cuz: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth going widest entering stretch, rallied to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second by a nose beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on June 17.
Storm a Brewing: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals at quarter pole and won by 3 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on June 9. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, carried out leaving quarter pole, drifted in while closing and won second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on July 14.)
RIVER DOWNS
One-Eyed Jackie: Raced four lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, fanned six wide into stretch, made up 3 ¾ lengths and dead-heated for second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 7 at Ellis Park.
(Trailed early, advanced to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third by a length at six furlongs on July 21.)
SUFFOLK DOWNS
Awesome Idea: Trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, closed willingly in stretch to make up four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on June 23. (Raced fifth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out three wide into upper stretch, surged to front late and won by a head at six furlongs on July 7.)
Tags: Horse Race Handicapping, Horse Betting Tips, Horse Racing Picks
"Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch" was posted on 23 July 2007 8:44 PM under Handicapping, Horses, Race Tracks, Racing Picks & Betting Tips
10% Instant Bonus, Free & Fast Payouts
Up to 60% Racebook Deposit Bonus +5% Weekly Horse Betting Rebate
Get Reward Points For Free Bets