Melikov’s Horses to Watch, May 2011, continued

by Greg Melikov

posted on May 16, 2011 in Free Picks and Tips, General Discussion, Handicapping | No Comments >>

BinocularsHorses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won seven times, finished second five times and ran third once since April 9. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

ARLINGTON PARK

Tajaaweed: Raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch, rallied from fifth working way inside to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths at a mile on the turf May 8; ran final quarter in 23 seconds.

Rose Mountain: Tracked leaders 3 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, shifted outside in stretch, closed fast to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on May 7; ran final quarter in 22 4/5.

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. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied five wide passing the quarter pole, led by a head in upper stretch and kicked clear to win by 3 ¼ lengths at a mile and 40 yards on the turf May. 3.)

BELMONT

Latin Rocks: Broke well, went to the front, spared briefly with rival, led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to 5 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 10 ¼ lengths in a hand ride covering six furlongs in 1:10 1/5 on May 11.

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.

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 a neck at a mile on the turf April 10; ran final quarter in 24 2/5 at Tampa Bay Downs. (Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, fought his way to front by a head in upper stretch and finished second by 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course May 5.)

Opus A: 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 at Aqueduct. (Went to the front inside, led 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile and held on in stretch to finish second by 1 ½ lengths at a mile on May 5.)

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 at Gulfstream. (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 at Gulfstream.)

CALDER

Madness n’ Mayhem: Broke slowly, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on a good turf course May 8; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Callmethesqueeze: Broke eighth and last, bumped and checked, trailed by more than 11 lengths after a half-mile, swung out in fourth for stretch run, rallied to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface May 5. (Raced 14 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, rallied from sixth to make up more than seven lengths and won by a length at a mile on the turf May 15.)

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.

For Terina: Steadied into first turn, raced 12 and last 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 at Gulfstream. (Raced seventh and last more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced four wide around far turn, rallied from third in stretch to draw off and win by 2 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on sealed sloppy surface taken off turf May 6.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Miss Dixie Rose: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung seven wide for drive, rallied in stretch from seventh to make up nearly four lengths and finished third beaten by a neck and a half-length at six furlongs on May 4; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

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.

DELAWARE PARK

Courting Wisdom: Exchanged contact with third-place finisher leaving gate, steadied nearing turn, raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, eased six wide into stretch losing ground and rallied to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on May 9.

Mr. McClain: Broke outward, raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, came seven wide out of the turn losing ground, rallied to make up 7 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on March 24 at Oaklawn Park; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Clue Me In: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after half-mile, split horses on the turn and rallied outside from fourth in stretch to gain second by a length at six furlongs on May 5.

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 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.)

MONMOUTH

Sweet N Sour Nina: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten by a nose at a mile and 70 yards on May 15.

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Heritage Hall: Broke slowly, raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind seventh and last after a half-mile, rallied wide in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten by a neck and a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on May 8.

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

Gilhooley’s Super: Pinched back at start, tracked pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in traffic on turn, closed gamely in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at six furlongs on May 7.

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.

TURF PARADISE

Brookton: Dueled with winner through deep stretch and finished second by a length at six furlongs on April 25. (Broke alertly, went to the front, led by a half-length after a half-mile and drew clear in stretch to win by 4 ¾ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on May 7.)

WOODBINE

Always Wildcatin’: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten by a half-length at six furlongs on May 6; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

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.)