Greg Melikovs Horses to Watch
Tuesday, February 20th, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

AQUEDUCT

Today’s Charmer: Raced 17 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced wide to sixth in stretch, made up nearly 11 lengths and lost by a half-length and a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 17.

Gimme Getme: Roughed up between rivals after start, raced eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide entering stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished fourth beaten less than 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 10. 

Posted: Bumped after start, rushed up to second along backstretch, steadied while racing greenly, dropped back to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to second in stretch, made up three lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 31.

Bold Mon: Bumped after start, steadied, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside into stretch, closed from fifth to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 27; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Nedjma: Bumped after start, dropped to last more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced along rail to fifth in stretch, made up more than 6 ½ lengths and lost by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 15.

Magic Momentum: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, steadied and shuffled back in traffic to seventh on far turn, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up nearly 5 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 7.

Unconcerned: Steadied after start, trailed by more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out in stretch and closed gamely from sixth beaten three-quarters of a length by stablemate at six furlongs on Dec. 30; entry paid $14 on the front end and $11 to place. (Raced sixth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to seventh angling out in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and won by a nose at six furlong on Jan. 25.)

FAIR GROUNDS

Wrzeszcz: Broke from outside post, trailed early, moved up to sixth more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out turning for home, rallied from fifth to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Feb. 10.

Circle of Fire: Broke last, trailed by more than 11 ½ lengths after a half-mile, closed fast from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 2.

For Glory: Broke alertly, taken back to sixth early, inched up four wide to fourth four lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely in stretch to make up nearly four lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 7; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Eight Mile Rock: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, launched bid five wide on turn, rallied belatedly from fourth to make up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on Feb. 18.

Hay Cheif: Broke slowly from outside post, raced ninth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to 10th when blocked behind wall of foes leaving far turn, found room while advancing in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb. 11.

Elninodemisojos: Hit gate at break, trailed early, raced sixth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside to fourth in stretch, made up more than 3 ¼ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Feb. 3.

Fearless Vision: Broke awkwardly, raced 10th early, advanced to eighth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, closed from fifth to make up more than five lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on Jan. 27; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Dream Rush: Raced third early, steadied behind leader on backstretch, boxed in around turn into stretch, angled out and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Jan. 20; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.  (Hustled to lead after breaking a step slow, set pace inside and drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 10.) 

Big Bold Pace: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, looked for room in stretch, rallied outside, made up more than 1 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Jan. 7.

LAUREL

Magic Maker: Raced fourth early, dropped back to fifth seven lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide entering stretch, rallied from third to make up six lengths and lost by a half-length at seven furlongs on Feb. 17.

Indy Pleaser: Raced 15 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside to fifth near mid-stretch, closed willingly to make up more than six lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 4.

Skip the Crowd: Bobbled breaking awkwardly, steadied in traffic entering first turn, advanced from sixth to third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up inside 1 ½ lengths behind in stretch, hit rail after checking on heels of winner near sixteenth pole and held second by 2 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 25.

Really Reilly: Raced fourth early, pressed pace on second turn, rallied late and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on a good surface Jan. 2 at Philadelphia Park. (Pressed pace a head back after a half-mile, circled leader entering stretch and drew off by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 24.)

OAKLAWN PARK

Slews Mountain Gal: Raced fourth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, roused for drive, rallied from third outside to make up 3 ¼ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 18.

Lighthouse Jim: Raced ninth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, roused late on far turn, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up two lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 10.

Sweetdownthelane: Broke slowly outward, raced seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals heading home, bothered foe, made up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a head at six furlongs on Jan. 26. (Stalked pace in third more 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, took command from outside past furlong marker and drove clear by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on. Feb. 10)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Cabo Rojo: Raced seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up inside to fifth in stretch, made up more 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 17.

Speechifying: Raced fourth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, launched bid off rail into far turn, bumped steadying into lane, bothered again at eighth pole dropping from third to fifth, recovered to third and lost by a neck and 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Feb. 4.

Afleet Deputy: Broke eighth, dropped to ninth after a quarter-mile, advanced to sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed willingly to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23.

SANTA ANITA

Tonkins: Raced fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, split rivals into turn, lost ground to fifth in stretch, rallied outside to make up 2 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 11.

Firebird Sweet: Broke last, trailed by more than 11 ½ lengths after six furlongs, rallied five wide from 12th to seventh into stretch, closed gamely to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and lost by a head at 1 ¼ miles on the turf Jan. 13.

Blues Street: Broke next to last, raced ninth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide into stretch, closed willingly to make up more than five lengths and was nosed out at a mile on the turf Jan. 7; ran final quarter in 23 3/5. (Raced seventh after a half-mile, came out three deep into stretch and rallied under urging to prevail by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Feb. 4.)

Hendrix: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, boxed in along rail from mid-stretch to sixteenth pole, came out late to make up more than two lengths and ran third beaten 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Dec. 31.

Big Jon: Raced eighth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up nearly four lengths and lost by a head and a half-length at a mile on the turf Dec. 30.

TURFWAY PARK

Esprit Du Roi: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, worked way to fifth in three path, closed outside to make four lengths and lost by a head at a mile on Feb. 17.

Poe Reef: Broke last, trailed early, advanced to ninth more than eighth lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied nearing three furlong marker, angled out for drive, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up 9 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 10.   

Subtle Approach: Raced more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth angling out for drive, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at a mile on Feb. 2.

Lickety Slick: Broke next to last, steadied nearing turn, raced ninth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out four wide for drive, closed well in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 27.

Classy Brute: Broke last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out in seventh for drive, closed fast to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 20; ran final quarter in 24. (Raced four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide to second in stretch, wore down leader and won by a half-length at a mile on Feb. 1)

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