Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won four times, finished second six times and ran third twice since Feb. 27. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

 

 

AQUEDUCT

Opus A: Pressed pace a half-length behind in second a half-mile, weakened in stretch and finished third at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 20. (Tracked pace two lengths behind in hired after a half-mile, grabbed lead after six furlongs, increased margin to two lengths in stretch, yielded lead with 70 yards to go and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on April 6.)

This Hard Land: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced in stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 23. (Bumped leaving gate raced eighth and last eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to gain second by 3 ½ lengths on Feb. 27.)

ATLANTIC CITY

Allrightsreserved: Broke alertly, led by a half-length after a half-mile, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and won handily by 6 ½ lengths at a mile on a good surface March 22 at PARX.
BELMONT

Power Dreams: Raced eighth early, dropped to ninth and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, swung four wide into the stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a yielding turf course April 29; ran final quarter in 24 ¾.

CALDER

Kuggerand: Raced more than six lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, angled outside leaders for stretch run, rallied to make up four lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 25.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Prime Speed: Raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished fourth beaten by a nose and two necks at six furlongs on April 30; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

GULFSTREAM PARK

For Terina: Raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in 11th after a half-mile, rallied five wide into stretch, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten by three-quarters of a length at a mile on March 23. (Steadied into first turn, raced 12 and last by more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run and gained third by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on April 17.)

Bad Debt: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied three into stretch to gain lead by two lengths and won by 2 ¾ lengths a 1 1/16 miles on March 13. (Chased pace five lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied three wide into stretch and won by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf April 9.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Zees Chris: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung out for the drive, rallied to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on April 21.

Ultra Blend: Raced fourth and last by a head and 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide to gain lead in stretch by 1 ½ lengths and won by 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on Feb. 26 at Santa Anita. (Bobbled at break, raced more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, swung four wide into stretch, rallied from third to win by a length at 7 ½ furlongs on April 23.)

Crisis of Spirit: Raced more than two lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch and finished third beaten by three-quarters of a length for place at seven furlongs on Feb. 18 at Santa Anita. (Prompted pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, couldn’t close gap in stretch and finished second by 4 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on April 22.)

KEENELAND

Keertana: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out in stretch and rallied to gain third by a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf March 12 at Tampa Bay Downs; ran final eighth in 11 3/5. (Raced 10 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung six wide entering stretch, rallied from third to win by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 ½ miles on a yielding turf course April 28.)

OAKLAWN PARK

East Coast Swing: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, rallied five wide out of the turn and drew clear late in stretch to win by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on March 27. (Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied to take lead turning for home and drew clear to win by two lengths at 1 1/16 miles on April 16; returned $22.40 on front end.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Pluracity: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, rallied between rivals to make up 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on April 23.

Skattle Band: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten by a length at a mile and 70 yards on a good surface April 9.

Suitable Attire: Lunged at break, off a bit slowly, tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, came out in stretch but couldn’t muster rally and finished third at a mile on Feb. 25 at Santa Anita. (Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out in stretch and finished third beaten by a head for second at seven furlongs on March 19 at Santa Anita.)

Surprise Storm: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied around rivals in stretch and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on March 9.

PIMLICO

Sillium: Raced 17 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, saved ground on far turn making big middle move, rallied to fourth in stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course April 22.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Fabulous Lauren: Broke 12th and last, advanced to eighth more than 16 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out seven wide for drive, closed fast in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on April 20; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Mosquito: Raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, advanced outside to fifth in stretch, bumped late with rival, made up two lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at a mile on the turf April 10; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Mopleasant: Raced 18 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, fanned four wide for the drive, brushed with third-place finisher in stretch, closed fast to make up more than seven lengths and finished second beaten by a nose at seven furlongs on March 23.

TURF PARADISE

Razor Cut: Raced more than five lengths behind in third after a half-mile, closed steadily in stretch to make up 4 ¼ lengths and finished second by three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on April 23.

Brookton: Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, swung four wide to gain lead by a half-length entering stretch and drew off to win by 4 ½ lengths ridden out at six furlongs covered in 1:10 4/5 on April 10. (Dueled with winner through deep stretch and finished second by a length at six furlongs on April 25.)

Absolutely Cool: Stalked pace early in third, dropped to fifth after a half-mile, lacked room on turn and through stretch, closed willingly to make up 1 ½ lengths despite being in traffic and gained second by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on March 26.

Chaplain: Broke eighth and last, moved to seventh more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, closed willingly eight wide in stretch to make up four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on March 11.
WOODBINE

Sailin Cailin: Raced more than five lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in stretch and made up nearly two lengths at 5 ½ furlongs to gain third by a half-length April 22.

Church View: Raced seventh and last more than 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled widest turning for home, rallied to make up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten by a neck at five furlongs on April 10. (Raced three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied from third in stretch, but was outfinished and ran second by a half-length at seven furlongs on April 29.)

Silver Pizzazz: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and rallied in stretch to gain third beaten by a head for second at five furlongs on April 10. (Raced third early, dropped to fourth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch and finished second beaten by a nose at seven furlongs on April 29.)