Horses To Watch

by Greg Melikov

posted on June 25, 2012 in Blogroll, Free Picks and Tips, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | No Comments >>

Horses 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 five times and ran third four times since May 26. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

ARLINGTON PARK

Rock On Richie: Broke 12th and last, raced 10th more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide in stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 6 ¾ lengths and gained second by a nose at 1 1/8 miles on June 17.

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.

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. (Pressed pace a head behind in second after a half-mile, wrested command midway on far turn and drew off in stretch under left handed encouragement to win by 4 ½ lengths at a mile on June 22.)

BELMONT

Madame Johar: Raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, advanced cutting corner into stretch, rallied to make up more than two lengths and finished third beaten a neck for second at 1 1/16 on the turf June 17; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 27 3/5.

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.

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

Great Escape: Raced more than five lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, angled out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at a mile on a good turf course June 17.

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. (Broke on top, led by 3 ½ lengths after a half-mile, drew off when asked in stretch and won by 9 ½ lengths at six furlongs on a sloppy surface June 23; returned $11.20 on front end.)

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.

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.

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

Girlsruletheworld: Raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 17.

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.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Stacy’s Hope: Raced more than 11 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out in mid-stretch to rally from fifth making up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on June 17.

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. (Pressed pace a head behind in second after a half-mile, rallied to gain lead under left handed urging in stretch and drew clear to win by 3 ¾ lengths at seven furlongs on June 16.)

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: 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. (Raced sixth and last more than five lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and rallied from fifth in stretch to finish third by 2 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on June 22.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Indian Bluff: Raced 10th and last more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, steered widest of all for stretch run, rallied from sixth to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on June 17.

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.

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

Love Who: Raced sixth early, dropped to eighth and last more than 6 ½ lengths after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 1 ¾ lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile on the turf June 17.

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. (Raced four lengths behind in fourth after half-mile, dropped to sixth after six furlongs and rallied in stretch to gain third by a head at 1 1/16 miles on June 15.)

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)

Moon Philly: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals on far turn, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile and 70 yards on June 18.

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.

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Soldier Sam: Broke a step slow, raced sixth and last early, advanced to fifth more than eight lengths back after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on June 18.

WOODBINE

Portland Point: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied late between rivals in stretch from eighth to make up make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at seven furlongs on June 17; ran final three furlongs in 27 seconds.

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. (Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by 3 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on June 22.)

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.