Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Monday, July 17th, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

ARLINGTON PARK
 
Renee’s Regent: Raced fourth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied to second in stretch, bothered by pacesetter, finished third beaten two necks, but was advanced to second because of disqualification at five furlongs on a yielding turf course on July 14.
 
Dawnsdarlingorphan: Raced sixth more than 4 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide from fifth to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 8.
 
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 on 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 Me Softly: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came off rail in 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 on June 11. (Raced seventh more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from sixth to second making up more than two lengths, and lost by a neck at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course on July 5; returned $5.60 for place.)
 
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 on June 4. (Raced three wide more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch and finished second by 2 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the grass on July 1.)
 
BELMONT
 
Bad Boy Rising: Stumbled at start, steadied, trailed early, inched up to sixth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile while racing greenly, rallied gamely on rail from fourth in stretch, made up more than 4 ¾ lengths and gained second by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 3.
 
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 on July 2.
 
CALDER
 
Causeway to Heaven: Raced ninth more than 4 ½ lengths 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 on July 16.
 
G City Gal: Track pace in third early, advanced to second, challenged for lead after a half-mile, impeded at eighth and sixteenth poles by second place finisher, ran third, but was advanced to second upon disqualification at six furlongs on July 15.
 
Imelda Oh: Raced third early, dropped back to fourth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied on turn, angled out for drive and rallied from fifth to gain second by a neck beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on July 9.
 
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.
 
DELAWARE
 
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 on July 15.
 
LOUISANNA DOWNS
 
Cajun Hot Sauce: Chased pace in third more than 2 ½ lengths back after a half-mile, began advancing on two leaders on turn, steadied, moved out for drive, carried farther out by winner in stretch, resumed rally nearing wire and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on July 16.
 
Buddyboom: Wiped out at break, recovered to race fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, saved some ground on turn, angled out in fourth for drive, and gained second by a head beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 9.
 
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 on 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. (Sprinted clear to set pace, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, proved no match for winner and held second by a half-length at seven furlongs on July 15.)
 
Grand Minit: Bumped 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 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 on June 16. (Tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, challenged outside heading for home, dueled throughout stretch and prevailed by a neck at seven furlongs on July 8.)
 
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. (Pressed pace two heads back after three-eighths of a mile, shook clear quickly in upper stretch and cruised to 8 ¾-length victory at five furlongs on July 14.)
 
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
 
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 on July 9, zipped final quarter in 23 4/5.
 
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 on 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 on 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 prevail by a head at six furlongs on July 3.)
 
PHILADELPHIA PARK
 
Lick the Spoon: Raced sixth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked on far turn, steadied, rallied in stretch and lost second by a half-length at a mile on the turf on July 15.
 
Touch of Platinum: Broke from outside post, raced ninth after a half-mile, dropped back to 10th more than 19 ½ lengths behind after six furlongs, launched strong rally outside for drive in seventh, made up more than 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 1 3/8 miles on the turf on July 11.
 
Red Magic: Chased pace four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked repeatedly on far turn, angled wide for drive, finished strongly to make up nearly two lengths in stretch and gained third, by a head beaten only 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on a good turf course on July 8.
 
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 track on April 8.