Horses to Watch

Tuesday, June 20th, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching is a list of thoroughbreds that should improve in their next outing compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov.

ARLINGTON PARK

 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.

 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.

Unreal Rocket: Bumped with winner at break, raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 6 ¼ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on May 27.

BELMONT

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.

Peg’s Player: Raced eighth early, dropped back to ninth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide for drive, rallied from fifth to make up seven lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf May 24.

 CALDER

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.

Bucketful of Hope: Bumped by winner at break, steadied, raced 7 ½ lengths behind in fifth at a quarter-mile, dropped back to sixth entering stretch, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface at June 11.

Sweet Smiley: Raced fifth early, dropped back to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied leaving backstretch, steadied again on turn, angled out for drive, gained more than 1 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished willingly second by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on June 3. (Tracked pace 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide on turn, caught leader inside the sixteenth pole and won going away by three lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on June 16.)

 CHURCHILL DOWNS

Becky B Mine: Trailed early, in up to ninth 18 lengths behind after a half-mile, advance inside to sixth for drive, steadied at sixteenth pole, made up 8 ½ lengths in stretch and was nosed out at six furlongs on June 14; ran final furlong in 12 1/5.

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.

 La Chola: Squeezed back at break, trailed early, inched up to seventh more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth to make up more than three lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at six furlongs on June 2.

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.

 LOUISANNA DOWNS

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.

MONMOUTH

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

Sterwins: Chased pace four wide 9 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped back on turn, came again in stretch, made up 6 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of length at six furlongs on May 20; ran final quarter in 24 4/5 at Belmont. (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.)

Slews Enough: Pinched back, bumped at break, trailed early, inched up to seventh more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and gained second by 3 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 13.  (Tracked pace three wide in third on turn, but couldn’t close gap in stretch and lost by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on a muddy surface on June 9.)

 PHILADELPHIA PARK

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.

Sans Win: Went to lead soon after the break, led by a head after a quarter-mile, turned it on in the lane and drew off by 10 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on June 10. (Chased pace wide early, raced 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, launched rally on turn, but couldn’t close gap in stretch and lost by 2 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on June 11; returned $8 for place.) 

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.

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Staria: Steadied at start, checked early, raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch, made up more than four lengths and lost by a head at a mile on the turf April 30 at Calder.