Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won seven times, finished second twice and ran third seven times since Aug. 25. 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.)

 

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. (Raced six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile and rallied belatedly in the stretch to finish third beaten a nose for second at six furlongs on Sept. 26.)

 

Kauai Katie: Scampered to front, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to  three lengths in stretch and won easily by 2 ¾ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 12. (Patiently stalked pacesetter early, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to 4 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 7 ½ lengths in a hand ride at six furlongs on Sept. 30.)

 

Crespano: Raced sixth more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Aug. 5 at Saratoga; ran final quarter in 24 3/5. (Bumped at break, raced more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied five wide from third in stretch and won by a neck at seven furlongs on a good surface Oct. 7.)

 

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. (Stalked pace off rail more than two lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Oct. 5; returned $7 for place.)

 

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

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 at Laurel Park. (Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, awaited room in upper stretch and rallied along rail to win by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Oct. 4.)

 

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.  

 

KEENELAND

Mai Tai Mama: 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 at Arlington Park. (Tracked pace more than two lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, waited for room entering stretch, but failed to close gap and finished third beaten 2 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Oct. 5.)

 

LAUREL PARK

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.)

 

LOUISIANA DOWNS

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.

 

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.

 

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.)  

 

REMINGTON PARK                                                             

She Loves Runnin’: Led by a length after a half-mile, weakened in stretch and finished third by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 18. (Tracked pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, dueled in stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second by three lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface on Sept. 27; returned $8.80 for place.)

 

SUFFOLK DOWNS

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. (Led early, dropped to second 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, weakened in stretch and finished third by a neck at six furlongs on Sept. 26.)

 

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. (Tracked pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth after six furlongs and rallied a bit in stretch to gain third by a half-length at a mile on the turf Oct. 5.)   

 

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.)