Melikov’s Horses to Watch, Oct 2011, cont.

by Greg Melikov

posted on October 27, 2011 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | No Comments >>

ProfessorHorses 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 once and ran third three times since Sept. 24. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

BELMONT

Barrel of Love: Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch, made up more than 2 ¾ lengths traveling a bit wider at six furlongs on the turf and finished third, beaten two heads on Oct. 10; ran final quarter in 22 3/5.

Sunshine Rambler: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out for the drive, steadied in sixth behind a rival in stretch, lost momentum, altered course and closed late to finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Sept. 27. (Raced 14 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs and rallied in stretch to finish third, beaten a neck for place at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Oct. 16; returned $6.10 for show.

CALDER

Sammytheredrocker: Steadied after start, raced seventh more than 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung out for stretch run, made up nearly three lengths and finished second, beaten a neck at five furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 9.

Saratoga Matt: Raced eighth and last more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, rallied from fifth to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Sept. 23.

Stage Deli: Broke slowly, raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run and rallied to gain second by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 10. (Raced more than nine lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced four wide to second in stretch, but flattened out and finished third beaten a half-length for place at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface Sept. 25.)

DELAWARE PARK

Knocked Out: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile and closed well in stretch to gain second by a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 11.

Bridey’s Frolic: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second, beaten a neck in a mile race taken off the turf at 7 ½ furlongs on Sept. 26.

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

Sports Edition: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed between horses in stretch to make up nearly two lengths and finished second, beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 23.

Bits and Bobs: Raced more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, eased outside nearing stretch, forced to steady sharply off heels of rival, lost ground, recovered, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 10.

Sunday Seeker: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, circled rivals four wide into stretch, closed steadily to make up three lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Aug. 26.

HAWTHORNE

Gambler Five: Broke slowly ninth and last, advanced to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to make up almost 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second, beaten a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 12.

HOOSIER PARK

Yeardley: Broke slowly stumbling at start of rough trip, advanced to fifth early, taken up when stablemate bore out entering turn, dropped to eighth and rallied in stretch to finish second by two lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Sept. 10. (Went to front early, led by a head after a half-mile, took command in stretch and drew off under brisk handling to win by 7 ½ lengths at six furlongs on a muddy surface Oct. 1.)

LAUREL PARK

Unbridled Pride: Broke through the gate and ran off about a sixteenth of a mile before start, raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 10; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Tricky Suspect: Broke on top, led by a length after a half-mile, given a breather on turn, increased margin to 4 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 7 ½ lengths, ridden out at six furlongs on Aug. 26. (Led by a length after a half-mile, shook clear turning for home, led by 5 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 9 ½ lengths ridden out, covering the six furlongs in 1:10 3/5, on Sept. 24.)

MONMOUTH PARK

Roman Invasion: Raced fourth a length and a head behind after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths back after six furlongs, angled out in mid-stretch, rallied gamely between rivals to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished second. beaten a head at a mile on Oct. 10.

Nacho Business: Stalked pace a length and a head behind in third after a half-mile, took command in stretch by three lengths and won in hand by 7 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 25.

Valentine Daisy: Broke seventh and last, trailed by 8 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied outside from sixth in stretch to make up 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a neck at six furlongs on Sept. 10. (Raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run and surged late to win by a length at six-furlongs on Oct. 10.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Heroic Pursuit: Broke in a tangle seventh and last, advanced to fifth early, dropped to sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, came again inside to make up more than 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 10.

Reason to Drink: Raced sixth and last 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground going very wide on turn, rallied in stretch to make up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second by 2 ½ lengths on a sealed muddy surface Sept. 24. (Pressed pace early, led by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to 1 ½ lengths while drifting out in mid-stretch and won by three-quarters of a length under steady urging at six furlongs on Oct. 15; returned $18.20 on front end.)

Captain Twitch: Led by a head after a half-mile, dueled with winner in stretch and weakened to finish third at seven furlongs on Sept. 26. (Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch between horses from fourth and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 8.)

SANTA ANITA

Rauschenberg: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, lost ground looking for room going wide in stretch, rallied from 10th making up more than 7 ¾ lengths and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf Oct. 8.

Givine: Raced sixth and last 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 30.

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Superlook: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out four wide for stretch run, rallied to make up three lengths and finished second by 2 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 10; ran final; quarter in 24 4/5.

Five Boroughs: Raced four lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up 5 ¼ lengths and finished second by 3 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 27. (Broke slowly, chased pace three lengths behind in second after a half-mile and weakened in stretch to finish third, beaten a neck for place at six furlongs on Oct. 3.)

TURF PARADISE

Steel Blue: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out on turn, rallied through traffic in stretch and finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length and a head at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Oct. 11.

WOODBINE

Jenna’s Wabbit: Sprinted clear quickly, led by two lengths after a half-mile, widened margin to 4 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 7 ¼ lengths in a hand ride covering the six furlongs in 1:09 4/5 on Oct. 10.

Kings Parade: Raced seventh and last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground into stretch, rallied late to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished third, beaten a neck for place at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 25.