Horses to Watch

by Greg Melikov

posted on June 13, 2012 in Blogroll, General Discussion, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | No Comments >>

Horses worth watching is a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won four times, finished second three times and ran third four times since May 8. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

ARLINGTON PARK

King David: Broke seventh and last, trailed by 9 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, shifted four wide for drive, rallied from sixth to make up more than 6 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf June 6.

BELMONT

Take Her to The Top: Raced more than 11 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied in center of course from seventh in stretch, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on June 6.

Imaging: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, forced to await opening in first half of stretch, angled out and split horses at eighth pole, closed fast late to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course May 24.

Sweet N Nutty: Raced ninth and last 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than four lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface May 9.

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

Andrea’s Dream: Raced fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, rallied from fourth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths late and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on June 8.

I Run Fast: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on a sealed good surface May 20.

Joanie’s Image: Broke slowly eighth and last, raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a quarter-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on May 6.

Madness n’ Mayhem: 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. (Broke fifth and last, trailed by 4 ½ lengths after six furlongs and finished third by 13 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles taken off the turf May 18.)

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.

Call in Rich: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied a bit to finish third by a head at six furlongs on May 20. (Bumped at break, raced third more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and finished third beaten a neck for place at seven furlongs on June 7.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Frances Gardner: Raced seventh early, dropped to eighth and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied three wide in stretch to finish second beaten a head at a mile on the turf June 7.

Moon Struck Nemi: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 19.

DELAWARE PARK

Youcancountonme: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to sixth in traffic and rallied in stretch to gain third by a half-length at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf June 4.

Win Willy: Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, angled outside for drive, made up 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on May 19.

Guam Typhoon: Broke sharply, led by a length after a half-mile and drew off under a brisk hand ride to win by 5 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 14. (Pressed pace early, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile and drew clear to win by five lengths at six furlongs on June 4.)

FAIRMOUNT PARK

Rare Action: Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from fourth in stretch to gain second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on May 18. (Raced sixth and last early, advanced to fifth five lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to win by a nose at six furlongs on June 5; returned $12.40 on the front end)

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 more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, blocked behind leaders in stretch, angled out and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 3. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth between rivals in stretch and won by a nose at six furlongs on May 19.)

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.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Briteyednbushytail: Tracked pacesetter a length behind in second after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, came back in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second beaten a half- length at 1 1/16 miles on June 7.

Confucius Junior: Pressed pace a length behind in third after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch and finished second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on May 6. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain third by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on June 9.)

Adam Suances: 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. (Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and finished third by two lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on May 26.)

INDIANA DOWNS

Mai Tai Mama: Sped clear early, led by six lengths after a half-mile and steadily increased margin ridden out to win by 14 lengths in 1:38 3/5 for the mile on May 23 at Arlington Park.

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Nope: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on June 7.

Crescent City Hero: Broke a bit slow, raced more than eight lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on May 20.

Can’touchthisgal: Raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied to make up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf May 6. (Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second beaten a mile at a mile on the turf June 1.)

MONMOUTH PARK

Marvelous Chester: Raced more than three lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile and rallied gamely from fifth in stretch to finish second beaten a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf June 3.

Michael P.: Raced 10 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied three wide in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 20.

Dragonfish: Broke seventh and last, raced sixth 15 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth along rail in stretch, made up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on May 12.

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

In the Slips: Raced seventh and last more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room briefly, rallied from fifth between rivals in stretch, made up two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf June 5.

Calvados: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled in for drive, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on May 21.

Spin Zone: Grabbed lead by a half-length after a half-mile and drew off under wraps to win by 9 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on May 8. (Went right to the front, led by a half- length after a half-mile, increased margin to two lengths in stretch, weakened and finished second beaten a half- length at seven furlongs on May 26.)

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.

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 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. (Pressed pace a half-length and a head behind in third after a half-mile, eased out wider in stretch and won going away by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 8.)

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Jesse’s Gang: Raced five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile and 70 yards on June 6.

WOODBINE

Funny Accomodation: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at 1 1/16 miles on June 6.

Café Au Lait: Tracked pace three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, angled out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half- length at a mile on the turf May 23. (Chased pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to gain lead by a head and weakened to finish second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on June 10.)

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.