Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch!

Thursday, April 27th, 2006

Handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov compiles horses worth watching.

AQUEDUCT

Lookin’ Swell: Raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced inside on turn to fifth, came wide for drive, angled in stretch, made up nearly three lengths and lost by a head at a mile on April 22.

Allaboutmack: Trailed inside by more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced on far turn, angled out in stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile on a good turf course April 13.

Polished Arrow: Raced fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for racing room in stretch, bumped with third-place finisher nearing wire, made up a length and lost by a head at six furlongs on April 6.

Bold Man: Raced eighth early, advanced to fifth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide into stretch, made up 5 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on March 30. (Tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied three wide on turn losing ground. made up nearly 2 ½ lengths in stretch and was nosed out at six furlongs on April 26.

ATLANTIC CITY

Just Thunder: Pressed pace from onset, took lead in mid-stretch and drew clear by 2 ¾ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on April 11 at Philadelphia Park.

HAWTHORNE

Buster Bailey: Broke from outside post, raced seventh more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, made up nearly 2 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on April 22.

Chicago Style: Raced on rail 11 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up nine lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on April 9.

Key Storm: Raced fourth early, shuffled back to fifth on turn, steadied behind rivals awaiting racing room along rail leaving fifth-sixteenths marker, angled out in mid-stretch, closed fast to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on March 4.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Midnighter: Chased paced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, split rivals twice on turn, came out wide bumping with winner in mid-stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head at seven furlongs on April 2 at Santa Anita.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Sans Win: Raced fourth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up five lengths and gained second by 5 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on April 23.

Sign Post: Didn’t break alertly, raced sixth early, advanced to fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside into stretch, closed gamely from fourth to second making up two lengths and lost by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on April 11.

Imachadancer: Raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up 5 ½ lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface April 8.

PIMLICO

Tam I Am: Appeared washy before post time, raced 7 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped back to fourth after six furlongs, angled out very wide in the lane, closed steadily to make up six lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on April 23.

PRAIRIE MEADOWS

Load’im Up: Pressed pace 1 ½ lengths back in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground on turn, angled to mid-track in stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on March 31 at Tampa Bay Downs.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Cimarrona: Raced five lengths behind after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on April 23.

Unreal General: Broke from outside, raced sixth early, dropped back to seventh two lengths behind after a half-mile, slipped through along rail leaving furlong marker, closed fast from sixth to make up more than five lengths in stretch and lost by a head at a mile on the turf April 15.

Dynamic Contour: Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, blocked through far turn, angled out for clear racing room in upper stretch, swung back inside to make up more than two lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 7.

Mr. Hogan: Broke through gate before start, raced within two lengths of leader after a half-mile, rallied down middle of track to gain lead in stretch, caught late and lost by a length at six furlongs on March 19. (Chased winner throughout, couldn’t close gap, but held place by a head at six furlongs on April 3.)

El Soprano: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped back from sixth to seventh looking for room in upper stretch, closed fast when clear making up four lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf March 7. (Broke sharply to gain early lead, drew off by 3 ½ lengths in stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the grass April 11.)

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