Melikov’s Horses to Watch – Jan 2011 – Part 2

by Greg Melikov

posted on January 18, 2011 in Free Picks and Tips, General Discussion, Handicapping | No Comments >>

ChecklistHorses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won six times, finished second twice and ran third five times since Dec. 17. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

Aqueduct

Wachiwi: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 7.

This Hard Land: Broke slowly, hesitated a bit, raced ninth and last 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, ran greenly losing ground into the far turn, advanced between rivals just past the three-sixteenths pole, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 1.

T Rae: Avoided bumping at start, raced sixth early, dropped to seventh five lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced four wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up three lengths and finished second, beaten a length at six furlongs on Dec. 29.

Upper Gulch: Raced more than 12 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced between rivals into stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a good turf course Dec. 10.

Wind in My Sails: Bobbled at break, steadied on first turn, raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain third by a head at a mile on Dec. 2. (Raced 2 ½ links behind in third after a half-mile, outkicked in stretch and finished in the same position at six furlongs on Jan. 9.)

Charles Town

Silver Pizzazz: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled off rail three wide on turn, rallied to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second, beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 20 at Woodbine; ran final quarter in 24 2/5. (Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled five wide entering stretch and rallied from fifth to finish second, beaten a neck at seven furlongs on Jan. 12.)

Fair Grounds

Generous Offer: Bumped with rival at break, raced more than 12 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, moved out under strong urging on far turn, came five wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished third, beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 6.

Sweetsouthernmoon: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed fast in stretch to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second, beaten a nose at six furlongs on Dec. 6; ran final quarter in 24 seconds. (Broke fifth and last, slow into stride, trailed by 10 lengths after a half-mile, drifted out at top of stretch and finished third by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 8)

Sherlock: Bumped on both sides at break, raced seventh early, dropped to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 25; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Broke a bit slow fifth and last, advanced to second 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, accelerated to the lead by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off to win by 6 ½ lengths, eased up in final sixteenth of the six furlongs on Jan. 5.)

Gulfstream Park

Royal Lahaina: Raced more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground going five wide around turn, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 9.

Mending Hearts: Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, boxed in midway through far turn, angled five wide for stretch run and finished third, beaten a neck and a length at a mile on the turf Dec. 17 at Calder. (Broke on top, dueled early, led by a half-length after a quarter-mile, raced second a head back after a half, edged away in stretch and won by 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Jan. 7.)

Hawthorne

So Busted: Broke slowly 10th and last, steadied off rival, raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, shifted out four wide leaving turn and rallied in stretch to finish third, beaten a head for second at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 18. (Threw head back at break, altered course early to avoid rival, raced 10th more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted out on far turn, split foes in upper stretch, rallied to gain command nearing furlong marker and turned back challenge to win by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 17; returned $29 on front end.)

Laurel Park

Urban Speed: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, saved ground around turn, angled out in upper stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a length at six furlongs on Jan. 5. (Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, swung wide into stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 17.)

Oaklawn Park

Splash of Roses: Raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced five wide into stretch, rallied willingly from third to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 15.

Crystal Moment: Broke outward at start, went to front willingly along rail, led by 1 ½ lengths under tight restraint after a half-mile, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and won by 12 ¼ lengths, ridden out in 1:10 1/5 at six furlongs on Dec. 22 at Fair Grounds.

Parx Racing

Peaches My Dear: Raced 11th and last more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed fast outside from fifth to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished fourth, beaten two noses and a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 8.

Western Mon: Pressed pace a length behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth going wide into stretch, rider lost whip at sixteenth pole, closed gamely and finished second, beaten a neck at six furlongs on Dec.18; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Shesmyspite: Broke on top, led by a length after a half-mile, continued to set pace into stretch, weakened and finished second by 2 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 5. (Pressed pace in second a head back after three-eighths of a mile and weakened late in stretch and held third by a neck at five furlongs on Dec. 31.)

Santa Anita

Party With Brando: Raced fifth early, lost ground to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came off rail on far turn, angled out from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ¾ lengths and finished third, beaten a head and a neck at a mile on the turf Jan. 9; ran final quarter in 22 4/5.

Stoneside: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a neck at 6 ½ lengths on the turf Dec. 31; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 28 seconds.

Spud Spivens: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, went four wide entering stretch, rallied to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 20; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung five wide in stretch and finished third by 1 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 1.)

Tampa Bay Downs

Icelus: Raced fourth early, dropped to sixth five lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied between rivals entering stretch, angled out, closed fast to make up nearly 2 ¾ lengths and finished third, beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Jan. 8.

Monterey Street: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground going three wide on turn, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Dec. 23; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled out four wide for the drive and rallied in stretch to gain second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 15.)

Satisfied Mind: Stalked pace less than three-quarters of a length behind in third after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to second, dueled with leader and edged clear to win by a length at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 29. (Raced fourth early, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, shook clear by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and pulled away late to win by 7 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 9.)

Turf Paradise

Commodore’s Alley: Broke in air, hung wide early, advanced to sixth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, made a bold move from fourth six wide in stretch, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished second, beaten a neck at a mile on Jan. 7.

Warduty: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than eight lengths after a half-mile, angled four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at a mile on Dec. 21; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.

Major Madagan: Raced sixth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch and finished second, beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 16. (Stalked pace 1 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, dueled with pacesetter in stretch and drew off to win by three lengths at a mile on Jan. 10)

Ilikechocolatemilk: Broke ninth and last, raced seventh more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, made a big middle move gaining more than 6 ½ lengths five wide into stretch, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third, beaten two noses at about a mile on the turf Oct. 10.

Turfway Park

Tarage: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths in sixth after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 12.

Robin My Girl: Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, launched rally in three-path on turn, angled out for stretch run, made up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second by two lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 2. (Broke slowly seventh and last, advanced to fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, grabbed lead by a head in stretch and drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 15.