Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Tuesday, October 31st, 2006 (Greg Melikov)

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won four races and finished second seven times since Oct. 4.

AQUEDUCT

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.

CALDER

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.

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.

Rapturous: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced three wide on far turn to third entering stretch, made up 3 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Oct. 15.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

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.

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.

Turbulent Reprized: Raced six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced to fourth after angling out in upper stretch, closed fast making up 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 17. (Raced fifth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch from third to win going away by 7 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 14; returned $10.40 on front end.)

HAWTHORNE

Goldekips: Broke last, raced 12th more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from seventh in stretch, made up three lengths and lost by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 20.

Bigboybdancing: Broke last, trailed by more than nine lengths after a half-mile, angled out for drive, made up four lengths in stretch and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 29. (Trailed early, advanced to seventh more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from fourth in stretch to gain second by four lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 20.)

Legs Diamond: Squeezed back to last at break, advanced to 10th 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a length at six furlongs on Sept. 22; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, angled out for drive and rallied from third in stretch to win by 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 12.)

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.

KEENELAND

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.)

LAUREL

Enjoyable: Raced seventh more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, steadied in tight quarters entering turn, advanced between rivals to fourth in stretch, made up three lengths and lost by a half-length at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 13.

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 fourth early, dropped back to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide on turn to close fast in stretch and drew off by two lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 30. (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.)

MEADOWLANDS

Verkhotina: Raced ninth early, advanced between rivals to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth inside entering stretch, altered course in deep stretch, made up nearly two lengths and was nosed out a six furlongs on a good turf course Sept. 8 at Belmont.

Keta: Trailed by more than four lengths after a half-mile, rallied four wide on far turn and finished gamely beaten a neck at a mile on Sept. 29. (Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came four wide into the lane and finished gamely beaten a head at a mile on Oct. 21.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Kalki’s Pride: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, eased out on far turn to fourth, made up more than two lengths in stretch and was nosed out at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 28.

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.

Nosmallfeat: Trailed by more than eight lengths after a half-mile, angled out in stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a length at seven furlongs on Oct. 14; ran final three furlongs in 38 3/5. (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.)

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.

Love Comes First: Broke alertly, led early, taken back to second two lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to fourth on far turn, came again outside in stretch, made up nearly three lengths and lost by a neck at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 23.

RETAMA PARK

Force of Power: Trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, advanced on turn from ninth to fifth in stretch, rallied six wide to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 13.

Kemper: Raced seventh more than three lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung out four wide in stretch and closed fast to make up three lengths and lost by a length at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 5.

Bay Hero: Broke awkwardly, moved up inside, steadied, blocked from seven-sixteenths pole to three-sixteenths marker, angled in and lost by a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 20. (Pressed pace early, gained lead by a head after a half-mile and steadily increased margin to 3 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 4.)

WOODBINE

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.

Silver Gun: Trailed by more than five lengths after a half-mile, saved ground advancing to sixth in upper stretch, blocked in mid-stretch, altered course, closed fast late to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 11.

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.

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 could 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.

By GREG MELIKOV

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