Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Thursday, November 13rd, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won four races and finished second six times since Oct. 21.

AQUEDUCT

Unconcerned: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, finished stoutly to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 10.

Barbados: Broke awkwardly, bumped, raced ninth early, advanced to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide entering stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than two lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 5; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.

Sal the Pal: Stumbled at start, raced inside three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, made up three lengths and was nosed out for second at six furlongs on Oct. 25.

Polo Grounds: Steadied after start, trailed by 19 ½ lengths after a half-mile, inched up to ninth after six furlongs, rallied wide into stretch and lost by three-quarters of a length and a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Sept. 30 at Belmont. (Raced seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch advancing to third and drew off by three lengths at a mile on Nov. 4.)

Bronxdale: Stumbled at start, bumped, dropped back to last, raced seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head at a mile on Sept. 23 at Belmont.

CALDER

Leap in the Sun: Lunged at start, lost iron briefly, raced ninth early, dropped back to last more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in upper stretch, checked behind rivals in mid-stretch, recovered and gained second by 2 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 12.

Ballado the Lover: Bumped by winner at break, steadied, raced fourth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on Nov. 5.

Dug In: Steadied, clipped heels on first turn, dropped back two places to seventh, raced 3 ½ lengths behind after half-mile, steadied again leaving backstretch to avoid clipping heals again, saved ground into stretch, altered course outside leaders to find racing room, bumped with winner rallying to second near wire and lost by a head at a mile on a good turf course Oct. 29.

Three Shots: Raced fourth early, dropped back to fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground in fourth swinging out for stretch run, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished well gaining second by 2 ½ lengths at a mile on Oct. 22.

Real Truth: Bumped with third-place finisher at break, raced fifth more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fourth to make up two lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at five furlongs on Oct. 21. (Rushed to lead, drew clear by 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lasted to win by a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Nov. 4)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Nickel Candy: Trailed by 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, awaited room in stretch, split rivals in fifth at sixteenth pole and closed fast to gain second by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 12.

Morghyn: Raced eighth early, dropped back to 10th more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied five wide from sixth into the lane, closed from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 3.

Chatham: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out advancing to third in stretch made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 29.

Lady Takum: Raced seventh more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, worked way out six wide to fourth while losing ground entering stretch, drifted in a bit at sixteenth pole while making up 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 29.

Roll On Roll On: Steadied at start, fell behind to last, advanced to fifth 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied late along rail to make up more than three lengths in stretch and lost by a length at six furlongs on Oct. 7; ran final quarter in 23 2/5 at Louisiana Downs. (Raced third early, dropped back to fifth more than a length behind after a half-mile, rallied wide to second in stretch, but couldn’t close gap on winner and lost by 1 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Oct. 25 at Keeneland.)

DELAWARE PARK

Hope’s Intention: Raced sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in long drive to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 28.

Nomoresurprises: Broke last, raced eighth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied willingly in stretch to make up two lengths and lost by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 22. (Raced four lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied entering stretch and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 29.)

Whispering Echo: Raced sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked through far turn into stretch, found room inside to make up four lengths and lost by a half-length at a mile on Oct. 8.

HAWTHORNE

Mamesia Boy: Broke last, trailed by more than 8 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from sixth to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 8.

Hello Ladies: Raced fifth off rail more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, angled inside for drive losing ground, advanced to third in stretch, closed fast to make up 7 ¾ lengths and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4.

Regent’s Hope: Raced fifth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied to second making up more than 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Sept. 17.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Tizzy’s Tune: Broke slowly, squeezed back, steadied, steadied again on first turn, raced fifth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide leaving backstretch while losing ground, rallied to third in stretch, battled gamely and lost by two lengths and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 8.

Russian Seas: Broke in, bumped rival, trailed early, advanced to eighth 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up outside on turn, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and lost by a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.

LAUREL

Parisiana: Raced seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied along rail from fourth in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by a neck and a length at seven furlongs on Nov. 10; ran final three furlongs in 36 4/5.

I've Got Honor: Raced sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied five wide leaving turn and gained second in stretch, but couldn't close gap at seven furlongs on Oct. 4. (Trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, made up more than 4 ½ lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 21.)

Ode d’Punch: Raced fifth more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced steadily, rallied four wide in mid-stretch, dueled briefly and won by a head at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course Oct. 20. (Raced fourth more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced three wide into stretch to take lead by a head and drew off by 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Nov. 10.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Tri Some Pie: Raced eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied every wide from fifth in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and lost by a length at seven furlongs on Nov. 5; ran final three furlongs in 37 2/5.

Gameboye: Raced sixth early, dropped back to last more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, circled field in sixth for drive, made up nearly 4 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by two heads at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 16. (Broke alertly, raced sixth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied six wide to gain lead in stretch and drew off by 3 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 6.)

Nosmallfeat: Trailed early, advanced to fifth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied two wide to gain second in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner at 6 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 28. (Rushed to the lead, led by two lengths after six furlongs, lost ground to third entering stretch, came back to second inside sixteenth pole and lost by a length at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed sloppy surface Nov. 13.)

Devious Rock: Trailed early, advanced to fifth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out through stretch and finished full of run to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 25.

WOODBINE

Run On: Raced ninth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied six wide into stretch, closed from fourth to make up three lengths and lost by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Nov. 12.

Safety Zone: Raced seventh more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground into stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at a mile on a yielding turf course Oct. 27.

Ifbutmaybewhen: Raced ninth more than 6 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied four wide late on far turn in sixth, closed willingly to make up more than three lengths in stretch and was nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 22.

Marchfield: Raced seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, roused three wide late on turn, rallied from fifth to make up more than four lengths in stretch and was nosed out at six furlongs on Oct. 8. (Raced seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, closed four wide on far turn to gain third in stretch and finished second by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on Nov. 4.)

Wild Pistola: Trailed early, inched up to sixth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied five wide late, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on Oct. 1. (Raced more 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch, but couldn’t gain on winner and lost by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 25; returned $12.40 for place.)

Poachers Moon: Raced ninth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed four wide on turn from fifth, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by a nose and a head at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 24.

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