Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Thursday, August 28th, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won four races, finished second five times and ran third once since Aug. 11.

ARLINGTON PARK

Alpha Tejano: Broke last, moved up to seventh 6 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, waited for room in stretch, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths when clear, and was nosed out at five furlongs on the turf Aug. 23; ran final furlong in 12 2/5.

Polly the Dolly: Bumped at break, dropped 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.

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.)

CALDER

Lilredwagon: Raced sixth early, steadied first turn to avoid running up on third-place finisher, advanced to third four lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to fourth after six furlongs, angled outside leaders on far turn, made up 1 ¾ lengths in stretch, and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 20.

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.

Kipper’s Song: Broke next to last, advanced from 11th to sixth early, steadied in traffic down backstretch, advanced 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. (Raced more than six lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, closed willingly on outside to make up five lengths, and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 18.)

Causeway to Heaven: Raced ninth more than 4 ½ lengths behind 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 July 16.

DELAWARE PARK

All Night Show: Raced third early, dropped back to fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, stuck between horses in traffic on turn, rallied gamely in stretch to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths, and lost by a head at six furlongs on Aug. 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 July 15.

DEL MAR

Zoemeg: Raced fifth early, steadied into backstretch, dropped back to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground in eighth at six-furlong marker, split rivals on far turn for drive, rallied to make up more than six lengths in stretch, and lost by three-quarters of a length and a head at a mile on the turf Aug. 27.

Run to the Border: Raced sixth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out on far turn, surged between rivals in stretch to make up four lengths, and lost by two heads at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 6.

Midnight Lute: Bobbled at break, dropped back to ninth, moved to eighth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced 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. (Pressed pace in third through turn, took lead by a half-length in stretch and drew off by 3 ½ lengths under some urging at seven furlongs on Aug. 20.)

Record: Steadied at start, trailed early, inched up to eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced 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 July 23.

ELLIS PARK

Golden Glen:  Raced four wide 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths, and lost by a neck at a mile on Aug. 18 at Arlington Park; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.

LAUREL

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 to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a head at a mile on July 23 at Delaware Park. (Raced seventh more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung very wide in upper stretch, gained lead by a head in mid-stretch and drew off by 3 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 17.)

LOUISIANA

Lilbillsbullet: Raced 10 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up five lengths, and gained second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 26.

J C Engineer: Bothered slightly early, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied outside to third entering stretch, made up more than 1 ¾ lengths while being carried out late by winner, and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 17.

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 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 Aug. 11.

Gran Punch: Off slow, moved up early from last 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, advanced on two leaders into turn, steadied, moved out for drive, carried farther out in stretch by winner in stretch, resumed rally nearing wire and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on July 16. (Trailed by more than 5 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, rallied on turn from six to gain lead in upper stretch and cruised to 6 ½-length victory at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 26.)

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 grass Aug. 13.)

MONMOUTH

Keta: Raced fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile launched drive in three path on far turn, rallied from fourth to make up nearly four lengths in stretch, and lost by a head a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 26.

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. (Trailed early, inched up to sixth 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out some in stretch, made up 2 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 18.)

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

Kissin Damsel: Broke on top from outside post, held easy length lead after a half-mile, cruised to 12 ¾-length victory in a snappy 1:38 4/5 on a sealed sloppy surface at a mile on Aug. 27.

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 far turn, forced to wait for room after failing to slip through inside of 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.)

Red Magic: Chased paced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked repeatedly on far turn, angled wide for drive, made 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

Molly’s Gem: Broke last, jostled after start, raced seventh more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, raced three wide on turn losing ground, angled in near furlong marker, finished fast rallying from fourth in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths, and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Aug. 19.

Bullet Crane: Broke next to last from outside post, trailed by more than 6 ½ lengths after a half-mile, lacked room entering stretch, rallied outside to make up more than two lengths, and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at 7 ½ on the turf Aug. 18.

Prospector Mattie: Leaned out at start, brushed with rival, raced third early, dropped back to fourth after a half-mile, waited while saving ground on turn, rallied from third near the eighth pole, closed willingly, and lost by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 17.

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

Distinctive Sandy: Stumbled badly at start, almost went down, trailed early, advanced to seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide at top of the stretch, made up nearly two lengths, and lost by a head and a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the grass Aug. 25; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 31 3/5.

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.

Imperial Reign: Raced fifth in second tier more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a quarter-mile, boxed at 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 the 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 awkwardly from outside post, raced ninth early, advanced to stalk 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 held second by 7 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on July 26.

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