Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Monday, July 3rd, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching, compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov, won four races and finished third three times since June 9.

ARLINGTON PARK

Proudinsky: Broke last, raced along rail more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, came out three wide on far turn, advanced inside from fifth in stretch, rallied strongly to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on a good grass course July 1.

Pretty Jenny: Raced fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch losing ground, rallied from fourth to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on June 24; ran the final quarter in 23 4/5.

Behaving Badly: Raced sixth early, dropped back to seventh 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into the stretch, rallied from fourth to make up three lengths by a length at a mile on the turf June 15. (Pressed pace two heads behind in third after a half-mile, rallied three wide on turn and dug in gamely to prevail by a half-mile at six furlongs on July 3.)

Killing M Softly: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came off rail on far turn, rallied from fifth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on yielding turf June 11.

Devil’s Diary: Raced fifth early, dropped back to ninth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 4. (Raced three wide more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner while finishing second by 2 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the grass July 1.)

BELMONT

Token: Broke last, raced 10 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, carried wide for drive, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs at July 2.

Any Which Way: Bumped at start, chased pace in fifth early, advanced to third 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground rallying to second going wide in stretch, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on June 23.

Trick Meeting: Steadied at start, trailed by more than 14 lengths after a half-mile, advanced wide to sixth after six furlongs, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up two lengths and lost by a head at a mile on the turf June 18.

Homerette: Raced eighth early, inched up to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide nearing stretch, made up more than four lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on June 11. (Raced four wide 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, responded when roused in stretch from fifth to make up 1 ½ lengths and drew off by 2 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on the turf June 23.)

CALDER

Hermia:  Checked inside along backstretch, raced sixth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths on three fillies ahead of her and couldn’t catch winner, but gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on June 30.

David’s Delight: Raced eighth early, advanced to sixth behind six lengths after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground on turn, angled wide in stretch, closed to make up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at five furlongs on a sealed sloppy track on June 25.

Letter’s Legacy: Steadied inside third-place finisher in chute and on backstretch, tracked speed off rail, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and held placed by a nose at seven furlongs on a good surface June 12. (Stalked pace in third more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide to gain a length lead in early stretch and prevailed by a neck at seven furlongs on a good surface June 26.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Artful Launch: Bumped at start by early pace-setter, raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out slightly at sixteenth pole, angled back to rail late and was nosed out at 6 ½ furlongs on June 23.

Rashaund: Raced fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out seven wide to make more than three- lengths in stretch and gained second by more than 3 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on June 7.

Dynamist: Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, inched up inside on far turn, lacked room at quarter pole, straightened after going very wide into the lane, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 4.

Lord Lovat: Broke sluggishly, bumped rival, raced eighth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced along rail on turn, eased out between foes four wide for the drive, rallied from fourth to make up 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a neck at six furlongs on May 21.

FINGER LAKES

Sosella: Raced 12 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled to rail in upper stretch, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on April 29 at Tampa Bay Downs.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

I Can See: Trailed early, settled in eighth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up three lengths and was nosed out a mile on the turf June 14.

Early Ronan: Raced eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, came out in mid-stretch to make up more than seven lengths and lost by a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf June 9.

New Joysey Jeff: Stalked pace in second from onset a bit off rail, put a head in front three deep in mid-stretch, rider lost whip past sixteenth pole and was beaten by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf May 21. (Tracked pace off rail 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, ranged up off the fence less than 1 ½ lengths behind in mid-stretch, ducked out from left-handed whip, unseated jockey, continued riderless to the wire ahead of field and ended up eighth at 1 1/8 miles on the turf June 25.)

LOUISANNA DOWNS

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.

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.

Grand Minit: Bumped with rival at break, raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, bumped nearing furlong marker trying to advance, lacked clear room between top two leaders, made up nearly two lengths in stretch, and lost by two necks, but was advanced to second when winner was disqualified to third at 6 ½ furlongs on a wet fast surface June 16.

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.

Ski Race: Off a bit slow, trailed early, advanced to seventh more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide from sixth into stretch, made up more than 4 ½ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on June 4. (Stalked pace in third more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out for drive and gained second by five lengths at seven furlongs on July 3.)

MONMOUTH

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.

Shadowmom: Raced 12 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled outside, launched rally in the lane, made up more than 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed muddy surface June. 8

Slews Enough: Tracked pace three wide in third after a half-mile and   couldn’t close gap in stretch, but lost by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on a muddy surface on June 9. (Stalked pace in third less than 1 ¾ lengths behind after a half-mile, dueled determinedly brushing repeatedly with leader through stretch and gradually inched a way to prevailed by a head at six furlongs on July 3.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

J. P. West: Stalked pace in fourth more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled inside for drive, made up nearly two lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at five furlongs on a sealed muddy surface June 27.

Letrado: Raced fifth early, dropped back to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced wide on far turn, rallied from third to make up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on May 13.

Imachadancer: Raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up 5 ½ lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface April 8.

WOODBINE

Sterwins: Gained lead by a head after a quarter-mile, steadily increased margin into the lane and cruised to a 10 ½-length victory at 1 1/16 miles on June 10 at Monmouth. (Led nearing first turn, set pace leading by a head after six furlongs, dueled on far turn and was outfinished in stretch by three-quarters of a length; returned $6.60 for place.)

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