Greg Melikovs Horses to Watch

Thursday, August 15th, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won five races, finished second five times and ran third once since July 5.
 
ARLINGTON PARK
 
Polly the Dolly: Exchanged bumps at break, dropped back to last, trailed by more than eight lengths after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up more than four lengths and lost by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13.
 
Whitetail Dove: Raced third early, dropped back to fourth 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, checked repeatedly in traffic before angling out for drive and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 4.
 
Nan Ann Rocks: Raced seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fourth to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by a head at 1 1/8 miles on July 27.
 
Dollar for Dollar: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than two lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at 1 1/8 miles on July 23. (Raced fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied late in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 11.)
 
Renee’s Regent: Raced fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied to second in stretch, bothered by pacesetter and finished third beaten two necks, but was advanced to second via disqualification at five furlongs on a yielding turf course July 14. (Raced two lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, rallied along the rail to second in stretch and took command by neck in the final strides at five furlongs on a soft turf course Aug. 4.)
 
Killing M Softly: Raced seventh more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from sixth to second making up more than two lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course July 5. (Raced along inside more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied up rail in stretch to second and won by a nose at about a mile on the turf Aug. 9; returned $29.20 on the front end and $7 for place.)
 
CALDER
 
Ashlee the Great: Stumbled at start, raced fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, angled outside leaders losing ground entering stretch, made up more than three lengths and lost by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 12.
 
Memo Pad: Bumped at break, raced fourth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished second full of run beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 28.
 
Kipper’s Song: Broke next to last, advanced from 11th to sixth early, steadied in traffic down backstretch, inched up to fifth more 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and rallied from fourth in stretch to gain second by two lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on July 23.
 
Causeway to Heaven: Raced ninth more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, steadied in heavy traffic on far turn, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course on July 16.
 
G City Gal: Track pace in third early, advanced to second challenged for lead after a half-mile, impeded at eighth and sixteenth poles by second place finisher, ran third, but was advanced to second upon disqualification at six furlongs on July 15.
 
Imelda Oh: Raced third early, dropped back to fourth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied on turn, angled out for drive and rallied from fifth to gain second by a neck beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on July 9.
 
DELAWARE
 
No More Beer: Raced sixth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile rallied from fourth entering stretch to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 7.
 
Ode d’Punch: Chased pace early in eighth, shuffled back between rivals on first turn to ninth, raced more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out six wide for drive, closed fast from fourth in stretch, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a head at a mile on July 23.
 
Durajazz: Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on a sealed good track on July 15.
 
DEL MAR
 
Run to the Border: Raced sixth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, went three wide on far turn, surged between rivals late in stretch made up four lengths and lost by two heads at 1 1/16 miles on the turf on Aug. 6.
 
Midnight Lute: Bobbled at break, dropped back to ninth off rail early, inched up to eighth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up outside on turn six wide for drive, closed willingly in stretch to make up more than two lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on July 28.
 
Record: Steadied at start, trailed early, inched up to eighth more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, moved up on turn, came out for drive, steadied off heels of rival in upper stretch, rallied between foes from fifth to make up 4 ¼ lengths and lost by a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on July 27.
 
Fanatical: Bumped at start, steadied, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied off heels of rival, swung out four wide for drive, rallied from fifth to make up 2 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished a game second beaten 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on July 23.
 
EVANGELINE DOWNS
 
Grand Minit: Tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, challenged outside heading for home, dueled throughout stretch and prevailed by a neck at seven furlongs on July 8 at Louisiana Downs. (Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, lost ground to third while eased out on far turn, loomed boldly in deep stretch and was nosed out at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 3)
 
LOUISIANA DOWNS
 
Vision of Speed: Raced eighth early, dropped back to ninth more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in tight quarters entering far turn, advanced, fanned five wide from eighth to fourth for drive, made up more than 1 ½ lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf on Aug. 11.
 
Gran Punch: Off slow in last, moved up early behind leaders to fourth, raced 3 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, angled out slightly looking for room in mid-stretch, bumped with third-place finisher, made up 1 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 28. (Tracked pace in fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, advanced outside to third in stretch and won by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13)
 
Cajun Hot Sauce: Chased pace in third more than 2 ½ lengths back after a half-mile, began advancing on two leaders on turn, steadied, moved out for drive, carried farther out by winner in stretch, resumed rally nearing wire and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on July 16.
 
Thornhill: Raced more than seven lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied five wide on far turn, finished full of run to make up more than seven lengths in stretch and gained second at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf July 2. (Raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled to far outside for drive, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up three lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 13.)
 
Boro: Broke alertly, gained lead early, increased margin to four lengths after a half-mile and cruised to 18 ¾-length victory at six furlongs on June 25; ran final quarter in 12 flat. (Sprinted clear to set pace, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, proved no match for winner and held second by a half-length at seven furlongs on July 15.)
 
Best Colors: Raced fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, straightened for drive after angling out, made up more than two lengths and lost by a half-length at five furlongs on June 11. (Pressed pace two heads back after three-eighths of a mile, shook clear quickly in upper stretch and cruised to 8 ¾-length victory at five furlongs on July 14.)
 
MONMOUTH
 
Briefcase Beauty: Raced sixth early, advanced to fourth 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied looking for room entering stretch, clipped heels of third-place finisher nearly unseating rider and, recovered quickly to gamely take second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 20.
 

Extra Bend: Raced 11 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, launched drive near quarter pole angling four wide, came inside to avoid winner drifting out in stretch, made up nearly 4 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at a mile on the turf four ticks off track record July 9; zipped final quarter in 23 4/5. (Demolished at break, severely pinched back, spotted field several lengths, trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, waited patiently at top of stretch, closed steadily four wide and lost by two noses at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 6.)
 
Pulpit Talk: Raced third early, dropped back to fourth more than a half-length behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth angling five wide near the quarter pole, dueled though stretch and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 1.
 
PHILADELPHIA PARK
 
Parado: Stumbled at start, raced fifth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals in stretch, made up nearly three lengths and was nosed out at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13.
 
Soldier’s Promise: Pressed pace in third about a length behind after a half-mile, steadied repeatedly in traffic through much of far turn, forced to wait for room after failing to slip through inside winner near quarter pole, eased off rail at head of the stretch, came again in deep stretch and lost by a neck at a mile on Aug. 6. 
 
For Fun: Stumbled badly at start, raced fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room from midway on turn to mid-stretch, angled inside during brutal trip and gained second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on July 30. (Quickly sprinted clear, led by seven lengths after a half-mile, caught in stretch, but held second by five lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 12.)
 
Letters: Raced eighth lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, closed well from fourth into the lane, made up 4 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on July 27; ran final quarter in 24 2/5. (Trailed early, advanced to sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, circled field on turn and finished strongly to win by a length going away at six furlongs on Aug. 8.)
 
Red Magic: Chased paced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked repeatedly on far turn, angled wide for drive, finished strongly to make up nearly two lengths in stretch and gained third be a head beaten only 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on a good turf course July 8.
 
RETAMA PARK
 
Expectant Diva: Trailed by more than 6 ½ lengths after a half-mile, swung out at top of the stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 12; ran the final quarter in 24 2/5.
 
SARATOGA
 
 
Cat’s a Rockin: Broke from outside post, raced eighth more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, launched bid three wide entering stretch, made up more than five lengths and lost by a length at seven furlongs on Aug. 12; ran final three furlongs in 36 4/5.
 
Imperial Reign: Raced fifth in second tier more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a quarter-mile, boxed in from three-eighths of a mile into stretch, looked for room, split rivals in fourth at three-sixteenths pole and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 10.   
 
Keen Lassie: Raced sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out five wide at quarter pole, finished strongly to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by two necks at a mile on the turf Aug. 6.
 
Solewisher: Broke ninth awkwardly from outside post, stalked two leaders three wide in third four lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to fourth on turn, launched rally outside in upper stretch, battled heads apart outside winner in deep stretch and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 27.
 
Desire to Excel: Stumbled badly at break, raced sixth early, moved up to third within two lengths of leaders after a half-mile, encountered heavy traffic on turn, swung out four wide for drive, drew even with winner in upper stretch, couldn’t keep up, but prevailed in second by 7 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on July 26.