Greg Melikovs Horses to Watch
Tuesday, March 20th, 2007 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov won four races and ran second twice since Feb. 10.

AQUEDUCT

Devilshire: Bumped after break, raced fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, launched rally nearing stretch, caught in traffic dropping to sixth in stretch, recovered and grabbed third losing by 2 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on March 14.

Birdie Run: Raced fifth early, dropped to last more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide in sixth for drive, rallied from third to make up nearly four lengths and lost by a neck at a mile and seventy yards on March 1. (Raced third early, dropped to fourth
More than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to second, but couldn’t catch winner; returned $9.60 for place.)

Native Hall: Stumbled at start, bumped, dropped back to fifth early, moved up inside to fourth 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied turning for home, made up 5 1/2 lengths in stretch and gained second by a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 22.

Today’s Charmer: Raced 17 1/2 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 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide entering stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 7 1/4 lengths and finished fourth beaten less than 1 1/2 lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 10. 

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 1/4 lengths and lost by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 27; ran final quarter in 23 3/5. (Raced fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch and rallied to gain second by a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 28.)

FAIR GROUNDS

No Net Needed: Raced wide down backstretch, trailed by more than 9 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied from eighth to fourth in stretch, made up nearly six lengths and lost by a head at 1 1/16 miles on March 16.

Preside: Reared at break, walked out of gate, spotted field several lengths, trailed by more than seven lengths after three-eights of a mile, saved ground inside advancing from seventh to fourth in stretch and rallied to gain second by a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 1.

Haunted Waters: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced to sixth in stretch, closed fast to make up 5 1/2 lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 24.

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 3/4 lengths and lost by 1 1/2 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Feb. 10.

Circle of Fire: Broke last, trailed by more than 11 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, closed fast from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 3/4 lengths and lost by three-quarters of length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 2.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Dr. Eli: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room behind rivals around turn, angled out for drive, closed fast from fifth to second making up five lengths and lost by a length a mile on March 16.

Trueheart: Steadied in early going, raced 10th more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out for room in stretch, closed with late rush, made up more than 4 1/2 lengths and lost by a half-length and a neck at five furlongs on March 3.

Navarre Light: Broke on top, taken back to fifth, lacked room behind rivals along backstretch, raced more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, made up nearly 2 3/4 lengths in stretch and lost by neck and three-quarters of a length at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 25.

Eight Mile Rock: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 7 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, launched bid five wide on turn, rallied belatedly from fourth to make up 3 3/4 lengths in stretch and lost by 1 1/4 lengths at a mile on Feb. 18.

Hay Cheif: Broke slowly from outside post, raced ninth more than 6 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside to fourth in stretch, made up more than 3 1/4 lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Feb. 3.

Fearless Vision: Raced eighth early, advanced to fifth less than a length behind after a half-mile, bumped with winner at eighth pole, dueled remainder of stretch and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on Feb. 17. (Chased pace three wide 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, took over by a head entering stretch and drew off by four lengths at a mile on March 10.)

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 1/2 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 10.) 

HAWTHORNE   

Show Me the Doe: Trailed inside by more than five lengths after a half-mile, moved to third in stretch, steadied behind rivals, recovered and gained second by a length at six furlongs on March 11.

Quill Play: Broke last, trailed early, raced sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, made up 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 23.

LAUREL

Theoneilove: Raced four wide in fourth 9 1/2 lengths behind after three-eights of a mile, launched advance midway on turn, made up more than 6 1/2 lengths in stretch and was nosed out at five furlongs on March 11.

Golden Hottie: Chased pace in third two lengths behind after a half-mile, hemmed in nearing quarter pole, bumped off stride in mid-stretch and recovered to gain second by 1 3/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 22.

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 1/2 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 1/2 lengths behind in stretch, hit rail after checking on heels of winner near sixteenth pole and held second by 2 1/2 lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 25. (Cleared early, led inside by 2 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, opened up by eight lengths when roused in stretch and coasted to 4 3/4-length victory at a mile on March 9; returned $16.40 to win.)

OAKLAWN PARK

Commander Pat: Raced seventh more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out three wide into the lane, lacked room in fourth in deep stretch, recovered and finished third beaten a neck and 1 1/4 lengths at a mile on March 17.

Miss Elsie: Bumped at break, raced three lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, rallied to second in stretch making up nearly three lengths and lost by a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on March 3.

More Than Tricky: Raced more 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped back to fifth before the drive, angled out a bit while mounting a challenge in mid-stretch, altered course when hole closed at eighth pole, but finished willingly beaten a neck and a head 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 23.

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


PHILADELPHIA PARK

Top of the Town: Trailed by more than 5 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, moved up wide on far turn from eighth, rallied from fourth to second in stretch, made up more than two lengths and lost by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on March 13.

Cabo Rojo: Raced seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up inside to fifth in stretch, made up more 2 1/2 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 1/2 lengths at a mile on Feb. 4.

SANTA ANITA

Doppio: Raced eighth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, in tight off heels of rival heading home, came out in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 1/4 lengths and lost by 1 1/4 lengths at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf March 15.

Isipingo: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 3 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, advanced outside from eighth to fifth in upper stretch, crowded off heels of rival, forced further out for room, finished well making up more than three lengths while bumped late between foes and lost by a nose and a half-length at a mile on the turf March 1.

Tonkins: Raced fourth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, split rivals into turn, lost ground to fifth in stretch, rallied outside to make up 2 1/2 lengths and was nosed out at 5 1/2 furlongs on Feb. 11.

TURFWAY PARK

Satin Song: Bobbled at break, raced fourth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, raced four wide losing ground on turn, rallied late from fifth to make up nearly five lengths and finished third beaten a head and neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on March 15.

Itseverclear: Steadied entering first turn, recovered to advance from fifth to fourth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, waited for room on far turn, lacked room in mid-stretch, altered course at sixteenth pole, closed with a burst to make up two lengths and lost by a head at a mile on Feb. 24.

Esprit Du Roi: Raced 4 1/2 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 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a half-length at 6 1/2 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 1/2 lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at a mile on Feb. 2.

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