Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Tuesday, December 12nd, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won two races and finished second six times since Nov. 13.

AQUEDUCT

Karakorum Tuxedo: Raced more than nine lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied four wide from fifth entering stretch, made up more than 4 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Dec. 7; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

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.

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: 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. (Trailed early, moved up to fifth 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up five lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 6.)

CALDER

Silversider: Steadied by rivals along backstretch, raced more than three lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, steadied again on turn, rallied from fourth in stretch, made up more than 2 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on the turf Dec. 10.

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.

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.

FAIR GROUNDS

Corwyn’s Shark: Raced seventh early, dropped back to eighth more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied on outside to fourth in stretch, made up 2 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Dec. 10.

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

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, but 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

Konza: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth in stretch, blocked, looked for room, rallied when clear late to make up two lengths and lost by two heads at six furlongs on Dec. 10.

Profit Zone: Raced 10th more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out 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.

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.

LAUREL

Marty’s Joia: Bobbled and bumped at break, rider lost irons, recovered control, advanced from fifth to more than two lengths behind after a half-mile to gain lead after six furlongs, led by three lengths leaving eighth pole, weakened in final sixteenth, but held second by 2 ½ lengths at a mile on Dec. 10.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Jacob’s Arch: Broke from outside post, raced more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 10.

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.

Whispering Echo: Raced sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked through far turn, found in stretch 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: 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. (Tracked pace close up in fourth after a half-mile, moved up outside to third in stretch, finished willingly and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Dec. 11.)

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 lead, led by two lengths after six furlongs, lost ground to third entering stretch, moved 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

Cubbies Girl: Off slowly, advanced from ninth to sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied late through the lane, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on Dec. 9.

Scepter Reflector: Raced 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.

WOODBINE

Safety Zone: Raced seventh more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground into stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at a mile on a yielding turf course Oct. 27. (Raced fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch and drew off by three lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 8.)

Bob Acton


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