Horses To Watch

by Greg Melikov

posted on November 5, 2012 in Blogroll, General Discussion, 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 nine times, finished second five times and ran third twice since Sept. 27. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

 

AQUEDUCT

 

Pearl of Wisdom: Pressed pace a head back after a half-mile, dropped to third in stretch, rallied to make up almost 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Nov. 2.

 

BELMONT

 

Going Going Gone: 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. (Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and finished in that position by six lengths at seven furlongs on the turf Oct. 27.)

 

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.)

 

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 at Monmouth Park. (Tracked pace 1 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, put a head in front by the eighth pole and drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles onOct. 27.)

 

CALDER

 

Rapid Distinction: Broke sixth and last, steadied, trailed by more than four lengths after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground swinging out for stretch run, rallied from third to make up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 28.

 

Starship Zorro: Bumped between rivals at break, steadied, raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied again to avoid foe on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on a yielding turf course Oct. 17.

 

Bad News Captain: Stalked pace more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fourth third after a half-mile and rallied a bit in stretch to gain third by a neck at a mile on a good surface Oct. 13. (Bumped with rival at break, raced fourth early, steadied on first turn, dropped to fifth five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fourth to make up three lengths and finished second by a nose at a mile and 70 yards on Nov. 1.)  

 

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.)

 

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. (Steadied soon after start, raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile,  rallied in stretch to gain lead by a head, bumped with rival and drew clear by 2 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on a sloppy surface Oct. 19.)

 

CHURCHILL DOWNS

 

Dancinginthecircle: Broke 10th and last in tight, steadied early, raced sixth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide from third in stretch to make up nearly 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on Oct. 28.

 

DELAWARE PARK

 

Jonesy Boy: 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. (Tracked pace 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled to middle of track in upper stretch and rallied to win by three-quarters of a length at a mile on a good surface Oct. 31.) 

 

DELTA DOWNS

 

Bluegale: Off a bit slow eighth and last, raced sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fourth outside in stretch to make up almost five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on Oct. 27.

 

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 at Remington Park; returned $8.80 for place.)

 

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

 

Lindsey’s Storm: Raced sixth more than five lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, fanned widest for stretch run and rallied from fourth to finish second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 25.

 

Hey Cowboy: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 10 lengths after a half-mile, rallied widest of all in stretch to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 19. 

 

HAWTHORNE

 

Saint Patty Ann: Raced seventh along rail more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted out four wide for drive, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up seven lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 26.

 

Doctor Trotter: Broke 10th and last in tight quarters, advanced to ninth 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung eight wide for stretch run, closed fast to make up more than five lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course; ran final furlong in 11 3/5.

 

Jimmy Got Even: Tracked leaders inside more than 6 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, shifted six wide in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 6. (Tracked leader four wide seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch from second to win by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 20.)

 

The Best Option: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than eight lengths after a half-mile, shifted out for drive, rallied between rivals from fifth in stretch and won by a length at a mile on the turf Oct. 12. (Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up 5 ¼ lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 31.)

 

LAUREL PARK

 

Embarr: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung five wide for drive, rallied to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished fourth beaten two necks and a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 27; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 28 1/5.

 

Bakyt: Raced seven lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung four wide for stretch run, rallied from third to make up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf  Oct. 17.

 

Morning Cigar: Stumbled leaving gate, raced sixth and last early, advanced to fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on  Sept. 28.

 

Joribe: 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. (Raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled seven wide for the drive and drew clear in stretch to when by 2 ½ lengths at a mile on a good surface Oct. 20.)

 

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

 

Ms. Tiptaptoe: Broke 10th and last, raced extremely wide in sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed well from fourth in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Oct. 28.

 

S S Skittles: Tracked pace more than a length behind in fourth after a half-mile, blocked at top of stretch, altered course, lost ground, rallied to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about a mile on a good turf course Oct. 14.

 

Jet Set Vinny: Off slowly, raced eighth and last more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out for drive, rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at  6 ½ furlongs on Sept. 29.

 

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. (Grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and won easily by 9 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Oct. 13.)

 

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.

 

REMINGTON PARK

 

Little Sis: Raced more than six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile and rallied five wide from fifth in stretch to finish second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 27.

 

Accent: Raced 14 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, came five wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on the turf Oct. 20.

 

Never Say No: Stalked pace outside more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, dropped inside for drive, rallied in stretch to make up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy track on Sept. 29.

 

SANTA ANITA

 

Causeithertz: Chased pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth in stretch and rallied a bit to finish third by a half-length at a mile on the turf Aug. 23 at Del Mar. (Raced more than six lengths back in seventh after a half-mile, dropped to eighth after six furlongs, came out for room in stretch, rallied from third to make up 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course Oct. 12.)

 

SUFFOLK DOWNS

 

Tobacco Fox: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled out for drive, bore out in upper stretch, straightened, rallied to make up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at about 7 ½ furlongs on the turf  Sept. 26. (Broke on top, led by a head after a half-mile, dueled into stretch and won by 2 ¾ lengths at a mile on Nov. 2.)  

 

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.

 

TURF PARADISE

 

La Pinot: Went to the front, led by 2 ½ lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to 5 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 11 ¼ lengths under mild urging covering the six furlongs in 1:09 1/5 on Oct. 26.

 

Winter Canyon: Broke sixth and last, bumped, trailed by more than six lengths after three-eighths of a mile, closed well in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs on Oct. 16.

 

WOODBINE

 

Bobcaygeon: Raced seventh early, dropped to eighth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied five wide from seventh in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at seven furlongs on Oct. 27; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 27 seconds.

 

Give a Prize: Tracked pace 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground going wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths late and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Oct. 17.

 

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: 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. (Raced seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, roused for the drive, advanced to second in stretch and rallied to win by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 13.)