Horses To Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won six times, finished second twice and ran third four times since Aug. 13. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

 

ARLINGTON PARK

 

The Best Option: Broke sixth and last, trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, swung four wide for stretch run, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on the turf Sept. 3; ran final quarter in 23 1/5. (Raced seventh and last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide for the drive and rallied from sixth in stretch to win by a half-length at about a mile on the turf Sept. 15.)

 

Fire Cloud: Raced 13 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, swung five wide in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a half-length at a mile on a goof turf course Aug. 23.

 

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.

 

Mai Tai Mama: 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. (Led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to 2 ½ lengths in stretch, weakened and finished third by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 19.)

 

BELMONT

 

Going Going Gone: Raced more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled three for the drive, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished dead-heated for second beaten a neck at six furlongs on the turf Sept. 15.

 

Tizracer: Broke alertly, established control early, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to 6 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off under a brisk hand ride to win by 10 ½ lengths at a mile on Sept. 8.

 

Hessonite: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied readily in stretch, took command past eighth pole and won by 1½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 16. (Broke fifth and last, trailed by 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, seized command under mild urging heading for home and drew off in stretch to win by 5 ¼ lengths ay 1 1/8 miles on a yielding turf course Sept. 9.)

 

CALDER

 

Macho Spaces: Bumped, steadied at start, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fourth inside winner to make up 1 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at five furlongs on Sept. 19.

 

Kankakee Lady: Raced sixth and last early, advanced to fifth four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on Sept. 3.

 

Sheriff Ira: Chased pace more than 7 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 23.

 

Tinitus: Pushed inward at start, raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, circled four wide into stretch, lugged in under right handed pressure bothering third place finisher, rallied from fourth to make up four lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Aug. 5; disqualified to third for causing interference in stretch.

 

Putyourdreamsaway: 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. Bothered at break, tracked pace in second 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to take over in upper stretch and drew off to win by 7 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Aug. 25.)

 

DELAWARE PARK

 

Rinella Bay: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled to middle of course for drive, rallied from fourth to make up more than 6 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 17.

 

Yuzuru: Tracked pace more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground angling out five wide for drive, rallied in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Sept. 3.

 

R Vivacious Girl: Chased pace 4 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, blocked entering stretch, slipped through from third late to make up a length and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20.

 

Monroe’s Hope: Stalked pace early, gained lead by a head three wide on turn after three-eighths of a mile, drew off smartly by four lengths in stretch and won by 11 ½ lengths ridden out at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 6.

 

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.

 

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.

 

LAUREL PARK

 

Jonesy Boy: Broke alertly, bumped with rival at break, checked off heals of another foe, raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide leaving far turn, changed course in stretch and rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ length to finish second beaten a head at a mile on Sept. 19.

 

Joribe: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, floated very wide at sixteenth pole, rallied from fourth to make up more than 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Sept. 3; ran final quarter in 24 seconds. (Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth after six furlongs and rallied in stretch to finish third beaten a nose for second at a mile on Sept. 22.)

 

A P Elvis: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth between rivals in stretch, made up more than 1 ½ lengths late and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on the turf Aug. 9 at Monmouth Park. (Broke on top, fell back to ninth 11 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 6 ½ lengths and gained second by a head at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 7.)

 

She Is a Lioness: Broke on top, led by 2 ½ lengths after a half-mile, drifted out in stretch and finished second beaten a head at seven furlongs on Aug. 26 at PARX. (Chased pace 6 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in upper stretch and finished second by 5 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 5.)

 

LOUISIANA DOWNS

 

Love’s in Style: Raced eighth and last more than 5 ½ lengths after a half-mile, waited behind a wall of rivals, shifted outside, split rivals in stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 23.

 

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. (Led by a length after a half-mile, weakened in stretch and finished third by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 18.)

 

Macabe’s Gold: Brushed five wide going into first turn, raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied to second in stretch, weakened and finished third by a length at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 13. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch to take lead by a half-length and drew off to win by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 23; paid $13 on the front end.)

 

MONMOUTH PARK

 

Forensic Edge: Raced 13 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied outside from fourth in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 16.

 

Afleeting Lady: Pressed pace a head behind in second after a half-mile, took charge passing quarter pole, led by 3 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off under urging to win by 4 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 3.

 

Best Actor: Bumped at break, raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and rallied to gain third beaten a head for place at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Aug. 30 at Saratoga. (Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 3 ½ lengths after a half-mile, waited for room for drive and rallied from sixth in stretch to gain third by 1 ¼ lengths at  a mile on the turf Sept. 23.)

 

Redhotlion: Tracked pace more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied past mid-stretch to make up a length and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 24.

 

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 at Monmouth Park; ran final quarter in 22 2/5.

 

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

 

Princess Malia: Tracked pace a head back in second, roused mildly in stretch, drew off by 10 lengths and cruised to a 6 ½-length victory at seven furlongs on Sept. 17.

 

Fisherman’s Wharf: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked and steadied into far turn, rallied outside from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile and 70 yards on the turf Sept. 2.

 

Green Bananas: Raced seventh more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, raced extremely wide entering stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 26.

 

Calvados: 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. (Stalked pace four wide a head and a half-length behind in third after a half-mile, edged to front by a half-length in stretch and prevailed by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13.)

 

PENN NATIONAL

 

Guam Typhoon: Pressed pace a head behind in second after a half-mile, drew clear by two lengths in stretch and prevailed by a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 4 at Mountaineer Park. (Went right to the front, saved ground leading by two lengths after a half-mile and won by 2 ¾ lengths under mild encouragement at six furlongs on Sept. 22.)

 

SUFFOLK DOWNS

 

Natalie Victoria: Led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to seven lengths and won easily by 15 ¼ lengths with speed to spare covering six furlongs in 1: 11 2/5 on Sept. 18.

 

Sweet Adeline: Went right to the front, led by a length after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to two lengths in stretch well in hand and drew off to win by seven lengths powered down late at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 3.

 

Gordian Knot: Raced third early, dropped to fourth 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals in stretch, gained brief lead inside sixteenth pole, encountered trouble with leader and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 22; claim of foul against winner for interference not allowed.

 

WOODBINE

 

Canadian Flag: Tracked pace more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, checked on far turn, dropped to sixth, veered out for drive, rallied from fifth between rivals in stretch and rallied from fifth to finish second beaten a half-length at a mile on a good turf course Sept. 21; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

 

Unwinding At Work: Broke alertly from outside post 13, raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swept by leader at eighth pole and drew clear to win by 4 ¼ lengths ridden out covering the mile on the turf at 1:36 1/5 Sept. 3.

 

Starship Sabrina: Jostled with rival at break, raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch from fourth to make up more than two lengths and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 24.

 

Blushing Brat: Chased pace more than three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied outside to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and a head at six furlongs on Aug. 6.

 

Portland Point: Raced sixth more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 8. (Pressed pace more than 1 ½ lengths behind in third, rallied to second in stretch, weakened and finished third by four lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 9.)