Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch, May 2012

by Greg Melikov

posted on May 1, 2012 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | No Comments >>

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out.

These thoroughbreds won seven times, finished second twice and ran third three times since March 17. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

BELMONT

Escape Artist: Raced 10th and last early, advanced to ninth, six lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up to third entering stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second, beaten a nose at a mile on April 27.

CALDER

Truly Distinctive: Steadied after start, raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, moved up for drive, rallied from second in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and finished in that position, beaten a half-length at a mile on a good surface April 22.

Madness n’ Mayhem: Raced 9 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied to make up more than 4 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on April 9. (Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals in stretch and rallied to gain second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 27.)

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

My T Quick: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on April 21.

Hard Spun Secrets: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely inside to make up two lengths in stretch and finish second, beaten a neck at six furlongs on April 8.

Premium Quality: Broke fifth and last, moved to fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, trapped behind leaders at three-sixteenths pole, raced in check until eighth pole, shifted out, made up nearly 1 ½ lengths and finished third, beaten two necks at six furlongs on March 25.

Denim and Diamonds: Broke slowly, raced 9 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, gained command in stretch by three lengths and drew off to win by six lengths at a mile on March 25. (Chased pace five lengths behind in second after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to lead by three lengths and held on to win by a neck at a mile on April 15.)

HAWTHORNE

Rare Action: Chased the pace more than seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied very wide to make up 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished third by 4 ½ lengths at six furlongs on April 1. (Tracked pace in fourth two heads and a length behind after a half-mile, roused for drive, took lead by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off to win by six lengths at six furlongs on April 27.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Adam Suances: Raced seventh and last more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals in mid-stretch and finished third by a half-length at a mile on March 18 at Santa Anita. (Ran sixth early, dropped to eighth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch and drew clear to win by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on April 29.)

KEENELAND

M’Dearest: Raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung out for drive and rallied in stretch to win by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 21. (Broke 10th and last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, moved up and angled out for drive, rallied in stretch from fourth and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf April 21.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Forest Machi: Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, closed fast between rivals in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on April 21.

Coffee Bar: Tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, took lead in early stretch and drew off with speed to spare winning by four lengths at seven furlongs on April 9.

Island Bound: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied wide from third to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second, beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on March 27.

Empire Diva: Raced 10 lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up eight lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on March 12. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and rallied a bit in stretch to finish third by 10 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on April 22.)

Rock Ptarmigan: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied a bit in stretch and finished third by 3 ¼ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on April 2. (Raced 8 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied on far turn to take lead in upper stretch and drew off to win by 5 ¾ lengths at a mile on April 17.)

Chief Thundercloud: Tracked pace more than a length behind in sixth after a half-mile, checked in traffic on turn and rallied gamely in stretch to gain third by a neck, beaten a head for place at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 7.

PIMLICO

Super Chunky: Bumped with rival near turn, raced more than nine lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 5 ¾ lengths and finished dead-heat for third, beaten a neck and a head at five furlongs on April 21.

No Easy Answer: Raced more than seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, closed fast from fourth in stretch to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on March 30; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

SANTA ANITA PARK

Valley Cat: Steadied at start, raced 15 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on the turf March 15. (Raced sixth and last 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came into stretch four wide and rallied from third to win by a nose at a mile on April 7.)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

She’s Notable: Raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied inside from fifth to make up 2 ¾ lengths and finished third, beaten a neck for place at seven furlongs on April 20.

Midnight Serenade: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 8 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second, beaten a length at seven furlongs on April 7.

Kingofthehighcees: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ¼ lengths and gained third by a head at about a mile on the turf March 28.

Another Smokey: Raced more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled outside for the drive and rallied in stretch to win by a length at 1 3/8 miles on the turf March 24. (Broke sixth and last, trailed by five lengths after a half-mile and rallied from fifth in stretch to finish third by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 7.)

Guam Typhoon: Tracked pace 1 ½ lengths and a head behind in third after a half-mile, led by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 2 ½ lengths ridden out at 6 ½ furlongs on a wet fast surface Feb. 17. (Pressed pace early, led by a head after tree-eighths of a mile and won by 1 ¾ lengths at five furlongs on the turf March 17.)

TURF PARADISE

Cactus Breeze: Raced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied six wide in stretch from fifth to make up more than two lengths and finished second, beaten a length at about a mile on the turf April 21.

Seven Tuff: Bumped, squeezed at start, assumed command on turn, led by three lengths in stretch and drew off to win by 11 lengths ridden out at five furlongs on April 6. (Tracked pace a head and a half-length behind after three-eighths of a mile, closed fast in stretch and drew clear to win by 2 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on April 29.)

Perfectionism: Raced fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out for drive, closed late in stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on March 27.

WOODBINE

Any Given Royal: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground entering the stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second, beat three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on April 22.