Horses to Watch July 2012 part 2

by Greg Melikov

posted on July 30, 2012 in Uncategorized | 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 five times, finished second three times and ran third eight times since June 22. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

ARLINGTON PARK

Nolan’s Territory: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, altered course sharply in stretch, closed fast from fifth to make up 8 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 6 ½ furlongs on July 22; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.

Bonnie: Broke seventh and last, trailed by 14 lengths after a half-mile, shifted outside heading home, split rivals, rallied to make up more than 6 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 19; ran final quarter in 23 2/5.

King David: Tracked pace more than four lengths back in third after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in stretch and won by a neck at about a mile on the turf June 27. (Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch despite being bumped and won by a head at a mile on the turf July 15.)

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.)

Guam Typhoon: 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 at Delaware Park. (Broke alertly, quickly took command, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to four lengths in stretch and cruised to victory by 2 ¾ lengths under very mild urging at six furlongs on July 4 at Colonial 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 at Churchill Downs.

CALDER

Mr Nu Nu: Raced more than 4 ½  lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, steadied on turn, swung out for stretch run and rallied from fifth to gain second by a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on July 26.

Putyourdreamsaway: Tracked pace in fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to catch leader at sixteenth pole and drew clear to win by 5 ¼ lengths under a strong hand ride covering the six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 on July 15. (Chased pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on July 28.)

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.)

COLONIAL DOWNS

Fancy Attitude: Tracked pace six lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on June 30. (Shuffled back after start, raced 10th more than 9 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and rallied from eighth in stretch to gain third by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf July 28; returned $8.20 to show.)

DELAWARE PARK

Patatuz: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile and closed fast five wide in stretch to finish second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Jul 25.

Kindergarten Kid: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth five lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up in traffic for the drive and rallied in stretch to gain third beaten a neck for second at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 4.

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.

DEL MAR

Belle Gallantey: Tracked paced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, waited for room on turn, blocked off heels of rivals entering stretch,  split foes in mid-stretch, rallied to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on July 25.

Woodmans Luck: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on July 18; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

ELLIS PARK

Six Strong Lady: Raced more than eight lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, split rivals heading home, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 21.

Malibu Holiday: Broke slowly ninth and last, raced eighth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, circled five wide into stretch and rallied to gain third by a nose at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface July 15.

Stormin Bandini: Raced sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, boxed in on far turn, dropped to eighth after six furlongs, steadied lacking room entering stretch, angled outward, rallied late to make up nearly 2 ¼ lengths and finished fourth beaten a neck for third at a mile on the turf July 6.

LOUISIANA DOWNS

She Loves Runnin’: Veered at start, straightened, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to four lengths in stretch and won ridden out by 9 ¾ lengths covering the six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 on July 26.

Macabe’s Gold: Broke seventh and last, moved to fourth a length and a head behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch, carried out late and finished in the same position by a half-length at six furlongs on July 15.

Butter Brown: Raced sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved outside for drive, brushed with winner and rallied from fourth in stretch to finish second beaten a neck at six furlongs on July 4.

Nope: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, steered out for drive and finished third by 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on June 28. (Tracks pace 1 ½ lengths and a head behind in fourth after a half-mile, brushed with rival in upper stretch and finished third by 4 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on July 14.)

MONMOUTH PARK

Double Berg: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth along rail in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course July 27.

Murphys Covert: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground on turn, closed fast in stretch to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf July 15; ran final quarter in 22 2/5.

Ambit: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to win by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 13 at Belmont Park; paid $15.80 on the front end. (Raced eighth and last more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied gamely outside from sixth in stretch to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course July 27.)

Michael P.: 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. (Raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to put head in front just past sixteenth pole and weakened to finish third beaten two necks at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course July 27.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Bayona: Forced in after start, heels clipped, raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed fast in stretch from fifth to make up 5 ¼ lengths and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on July 24.

She’s Behaving: Staked pace early, took over after a half-mile by a half-length and cruised to victory by six lengths covering the seven furlongs in 1:24 1/5 ridden out on July 16.

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. (Pressed paced two heads and a length behind after a half-mile, challenged in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on July 8.)

PENN NATIONAL

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 at Monmouth. (Raced sixth and last more than 13 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, finished fastest of all in stretch to make up five lengths and gained third by 1 ½ lengths at a mile taken off the turf July 21.)

SANTA ROSA

Confucius Junior: 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 at Hollywood Park. (Stalked pace a head and a half-length behind in third after a half-mile, forged to front in stretch by a head, weakened and finished third beaten a head for second at a mile on July 25.)

SARATOGA

Stephanie’s Kitten: Raced sixth early, brushed rail nearing first turn, dropped to eighth and last more than 12 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, launched rally from sixth in upper stretch, lacked room from eighth pole to sixteenth pole, worked way inside and gained fourth beaten a neck and two heads at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 25.

Best Actor: Raced 10th  more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to 11th after six furlongs, brushed with rival in stretch, rallied from ninth to  make up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a head at  1 1/16 miles on the turf July 20; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 28 seconds.

Kauai Katie: Bobbled slightly at break, accelerated to the front, led by a length after three-eighths of a mile and drew clear under steady handling in stretch to win by 12 lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on July 20.

Hessonite: Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 3 at Parx. (Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, awaited opening on far turn, rallied to take lead by a head in upper stretch and drew clear to win by 4 ¼ lengths at a mile on a yielding turf course July 27.)

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Flying Aptitude: Raced ninth and last more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced widest into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 6 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a neck for second at a mile on July 25.

Trippi’s Wish: Raced more than three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied into stretch making up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on a sealed fast surface July 18.

Akickintheface: Moved clear early, led by four lengths after a half-mile, increased lead unchallenged to seven lengths in stretch and cruised to easy victory by 11 ¾ lengths covering six furlongs at 1:12 3/5 on July 2.

Soldier Sam: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth outside in stretch and drew off to win by 3 ¼ lengths ridden out at six furlongs on July 9. (Raced more than six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain third by a head at six furlongs on July 21.)

WOODBINE

Twenty Black: Raced fifth early, dropped to seventh more than four lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied gamely in stretch to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on July 25.

Cindy’s Joy: Bumped at break, raced 11th and last 15 lengths behind after half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished fourth beaten a half-length for third at a mile on the turf July 18.

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. (Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to second, weakened and finished third by a length at six furlongs on July 25; paid $7.80 to show.)

Café Au Lait: 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. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, moved to second after six furlongs, but weakened in stretch and finished third by three lengths at a mile on the turf July 22.)