Melikov’s Horses to Watch, Nov 2011

by Greg Melikov

posted on November 1, 2011 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | 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 five times, finished second three times and ran third five times. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

BELMONT

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

Blue Samurai: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than six lengths after a half-mile, eased out for stretch run, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 27.

Extra Brew: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in stretch when rival drifted out, recovered at eighth pole, closed fast late to make up more than 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 24.

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: 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. (Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, waited behind wall of rivals on far turn, angled out in stretch and closed to finish second, beaten a nose at a mile on Oct. 20; returned $6.10 for place.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS 

Timely Tally: Raced seventh and last early, advanced to sixth 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside from fourth to make up two lengths in stretch and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 30.

DELAWARE PARK

Miss Bernstein: Raced 10 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed four wide from fourth in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished third, beaten a nose and a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 25.

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

Awesome Jared: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to sixth after six furlongs, rallied four wide in stretch, bumped with winner nearing sixteenth pole, closed late from fifth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 23.

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. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, closed steadily in stretch and finished second by 3 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on Oct. 23.)

HAWTHORNE

Diva’s Diamond: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 27.

Dixie Shoes: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out near mid-stretch, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Oct. 26.

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

Mystical Terp: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung out behind rivals in upper stretch, rallied to make up three lengths and finished second, beaten a neck at seven furlongs on Oct. 25.

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. (Raced more than four lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs and rallied in stretch to finish second by 3 ¾ lengths at a mile on a sealed muddy surface Oct. 27.)

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 at Delaware Park. (Dueled early, took lead by a half-length after a half-mile, gave way in upper stretch and finished third at a mile on a sloppy surface instead of 1 1/16 miles taken off the turf Oct. 18.)

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. (Raced two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied four wide to gain lead in stretch, bumped with rival and won by a neck at a mile on Oct. 21.)

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)

Padre Ed: Raced six lengths behind in third after a half-mile, took lead in upper stretch and cruised to a 9 ½-length victory at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 24.

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 at Delaware 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. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and came back to gain third by a length at six furlongs on a muddy surface Oct. 30.)

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.)

SANTA ANITA

Dr. Smarty Jack: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, closed willingly from third in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at a mile on the turf Oct. 23.

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. (Raced eighth early, dropped to ninth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from sixth in stretch to gain third by a head at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 24; returned $10.20 for show.)

TURF PARADISE

Dark Vader: Broke a bit slowly seventh and last, raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, bumped turning for home and closed willingly to finish second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 23.

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. (Set a pressured pace from the start, led by a head after a half-mile, held lead by same margin in stretch, weakened, but held on for third by three-quarters of a length at as mile on the turf Oct. 30.)

WOODBINE

Maverick Man: Raced third early, dropped to sixth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied along rail from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a head at six furlongs on Oct. 28.

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.