Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Tuesday, December 4th, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won four races and finished second four times since Nov. 6.

AQUEDUCT

Tommasi: Raced fifth early, dropped back to sixth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide for drive, made up two lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 2.

Bredwinner: Bobbled after start, raced fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch losing ground, finished well to make up more than 1 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Nov. 24.

Dantastic: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied wide to gain second despite running very greenly and lost by a length at a mile on Nov. 18.

Unconcerned: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, finished stoutly to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 10. (Raced fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch and gained second by a neck at six furlongs on Nov. 30.)

Barbados: Broke awkwardly, bumped, raced ninth early, advanced to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide entering stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than two lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 5; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.

Sal the Pal: Stumbled at start, raced inside three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, made up three lengths and was nosed out for second at six furlongs on Oct. 25.

BAY MEADOWS

Russian Seas: Broke in, bumped rival, trailed early, advanced to eighth 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up on turn, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and lost by a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4 at Hollywood Park. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, fanned four wide rallying to third in stretch and drew off by three lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Nov. 24.)

CALDER

Black Snake: Raced fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground rally four wide to third in stretch, made up nearly 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Dec. 2.

Left Me Breathless: Broke slowly, raced seventh more than three lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, steadied behind rivals entering turn, swung out for drive, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths in stretch and lost by 1 ½ lengths, a head and a neck at five furlongs on the turf Nov. 26.

One of the Best: Broke last, bumped immediately, but rush up to race third early, dropped back to fourth more than a length behind after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head and a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 19.

Leap in the Sun: Lunged at start, lost iron briefly, raced ninth early, dropped back to last more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in upper stretch, checked behind rivals in mid-stretch, recovered and gained second by 2 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 12.

Three Shots: Raced fourth early, dropped back to fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground in fourth swinging out for stretch run, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished well gaining second by 2 ½ lengths at a mile on Oct. 22.

FAIR GROUNDS

He’s a Dixie Boy: raced seventh more than 8 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, eased out a bit around turn, advanced to fifth in stretch, made up 4 ½ length and lost by a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 3.

Junqueman John: Trailed early, advanced to seventh more than five lengths after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in stretch to make up three lengths and lost by two noses at a mile and 40 yards on Nov. 24.

Chatham: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out advancing to third in stretch, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs. (Pressed pace a head behind after a half-mile, gained lead by a head in stretch, weakened, held second by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 3.)

Lady Takum: Raced seventh more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, worked way out six wide to fourth while losing ground entering stretch, drifted in a bit at sixteenth pole while making up 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs. (Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, came inside around turn, angled out for drive and won by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 3.)

Isle of Silver: Raced fifth early, dropped back to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, roused for drive after losing ground, closed fast between rivals to make up 5 ½ lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on Oct. 1 at Louisiana Downs.

HAWTHORNE

Profit Zone: Raced 10th more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled to middle of field for drive, rallied from seventh to make up three lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 3.

Spanakopitta: Raced 11th more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 26.

Worththebother: Trailed early, advanced four wide to seventh more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and gained second by a half-length at 6 ½ lengths on Nov. 19.

Hello Ladies: Raced fifth off rail more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, angled inside for drive losing ground, advanced to third in stretch, closed fast to make up 7 ¾ lengths and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4. (Set pace from start, led by three lengths in stretch, battled gamely and lost by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Nov. 24.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Three Degrees: Raced 13th more than 13 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung five wide in stretch, closed willingly from 10th to make up more than six lengths and lost by a half-length at a mile on the turf Nov. 26; ran final half in 45 3/5.

Key Rose: Bobbled at break, raced five lengths back in fourth after a half-mile, dropped back to fifth in stretch, made up 2 ¼ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on the turf Nov. 19.

Tizzy’s Tune: Broke slowly, squeezed back, steadied, steadied again on first turn, raced fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide leaving backstretch while losing ground, rallied to third in stretch, battled gamely and lost by two lengths and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 8.

LAUREL

Latourell Lad: Bobbled leaving gate, raced 10th more than eight lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung wide between rivals in upper stretch, rallied from sixth to make up nearly 6 ½ lengths and lost by a neck and a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Nov. 18.

Ode d’Punch: Raced fourth more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced three wide into stretch to take lead by a head and drew off by 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Nov. 10. (Raced 17 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch and won going away by a length at 1 1/8 miles on Nov. 29.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Really Reilly: Bobbled at break, trailed early, advanced to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked at sixteenth pole in fourth, continued willingly to make up a length and lost by a length at seven furlongs on Nov. 28.

Seattle Lyrics: Broke last, trailed early, advanced to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside from fifth to make up more than three lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at a mile on Nov. 25.

J Silverheels: Raced fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back top sixth in stretch, rallied inside to make up more than two lengths and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface at Nov. 13.

Whispering Echo: Raced sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked through far turn into stretch, found room inside to make up four lengths and lost by a half-length at a mile on Oct. 8 at Delaware. (Trailed by more than 2 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, rallied to second passing sixteenth pole, made up more than 2 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on Nov. 19.)

Gameboye: Raced sixth early, dropped back to last more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, circled field in sixth for drive, made up nearly 4 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by two heads at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 16. (Broke alertly, raced sixth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied six wide to gain lead in stretch and drew off by 3 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 6.)

Nosmallfeat: Trailed early, advanced to fifth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied two wide to gain second in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner at 6 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 28. (Rushed to the lead, led by two lengths after six furlongs, lost ground to third entering stretch, came back to second inside sixteenth pole and lost by a length at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed sloppy surface Nov. 13.)

TURFWAY PARK

Scepter Reflector: Racing fifth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide for drive, made up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck and three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 3.

Lost Composer: Broke last, trailed early, advanced to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled in entering stretch, closed well from fifth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at a mile on Nov. 26.

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