Melikov’s Horses to Watch – Nov/Dec 2010

by Greg Melikov

posted on November 30, 2010 in Free Picks and Tips, General Discussion, Handicapping | No Comments >>

ChecklistHorses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won seven times, ran second three times and finished third twice since Sept. 29. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

Aqueduct

Wind in My Sails: Bobbled at break, bumped hard with third-place finisher, swung four wide into stretch, rallied to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a good surface Nov. 6.

Daveron: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after six furlongs, forced to remain on hold behind rivals nearing quarter pole, angled out four wide in stretch and rallied under a vigorous hand ride to win by three lengths at 1 ¼ miles on a good turf course Oct. 20 at Belmont Park. (Broke outward at start, raced three lengths behind in fifth after a mile, rallied in stretch from fourth and gained second by a half-length at 1 ½ miles on Nov. 13.)

I Dreamt I Was: Broke 11th and last, raced 10th more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, fanned five wide into stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths at a mile on the turf Sept. 22; ran final half in 46 4/5. (Broke 12th and last, raced 11th more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled six wide in stretch, rallied from eighth to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a half-length at a mile on the turf Oct. 30.)

Calder

Super Craft: Raced more than seven lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied four wide in stretch to make up five lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Nov. 5.

Duchess of Doom: Raced fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced four wide to fourth on far turn, checked at top of the stretch, closed well to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 23.

He’s Alright: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by a length at seven furlongs on the turf Oct. 21.

Mini Mom: Checked early, raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground advancing into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Oct. 7.

Fusafast: Raced five lengths behind in second after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, rallied in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20.

Churchill Downs

Cliff’s Gold: Broke in the air, raced 11th and last early, moved to ninth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ¾ lengths and gained third by a length at six furlongs on Nov. 7.

Tuxedo Affair: Broke 10th from the outside 12th post, raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced seven wide into turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Sept. 23 at Turf Paradise.

Hawthorne

Strong Willed Lady: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, lost several lengths going three wide into stretch, rallied between rivals to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and closed fast to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Nov. 5; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 29 3/5.

Abounding Attitude: Raced fifth between rivals more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled five wide in upper stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 16. (Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, split rivals in upper stretch and rallied under steady handling to win by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Nov. 13.)

Littlebrownroad: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, gathered momentum leaving turn, angled five wide in stretch, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 7; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Mr. Alanzo: Raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, gathered momentum shift out four wide in upper stretch, rallied from fourth to gain second by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 15. (Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled four wide in upper stretch and rallied to win by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 29.)

Hollywood Park

Legal Separation: Raced eighth and last early, advanced to seventh 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at seven furlongs Nov. 6; ran final three furlongs in 36 4/5.

Laurel Park

C C’s Little Dream: Bobbled at break, raced eight lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up 5 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Nov. 3.

Masterofcharm: Raced ninth and last more than 5 ¼ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out six wide for the drive, closed strongly making up 5 ¼ lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 23.

Court of Nine: Broke slowly, raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, saved ground, split rivals in stretch, closed fast to make up six lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 19 at Philadelphia Park. (Bobbled after break, stuck a head in front early, pressed pace a half-length behind after a half-mile, gained lead in stretch by 1 ½ lengths and drew off to win by three lengths at a mile on Nov. 6.)

Rocking Valay: Raced seventh early, advanced to fourth 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, circled five wide into stretch, closed willingly to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Oct. 6.

Monmouth Park

Paper Back Saint: Broke 12th and last, steadied, pinched back, raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch, closed willingly to make up five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs Oct. 30.

Auto City: Stumbled badly at start, steadied at five-furlong marker, advanced to second after a half-mile, lost a bit of ground dropping to third in stretch and battled gamely to the wire finishing second beaten a head at six furlongs on Oct. 24.

Jacob’s Run: Raced 11th and last early, advanced to 10th more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 17; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Race d sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out turning for home and gained third by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 6.)

Isittruemossy: Bumped at break, raced eighth early, dropped to ninth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, bumped between rivals turning for home and rallied to gain third by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 10.

Curlinello: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth within a length and three heads behind leader after a half-mile, lost ground after six furlongs, rallied between rivals in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Sept. 25. (Bumped at break, stalked outside in fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by a head at a mile Oct. 23.)

Philadelphia Park (Parx Racing)

Oh So Clever: Broke on top, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and drew off under wraps to win by 7 ½ lengths at a mile on Nov. 2.

Candide: Raced more than eight lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, lacked room in deep stretch, steadied, made up more than 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 12.

Rathor: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, challenged leader in stretch a half-length behind and won by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed muddy surface Oct. 4. (Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lacked strong rally, but finished second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 18.)

Dobra: Broke on top from the ninth post, led by a half-length after a half-mile, increased margin to 3 ½ lengths in stretch and cruised to a 4 ½-length victory in 1:11 4/5 ridden out at six furlongs on Sept. 12 at Monmouth Park. (Tracked pace a length and a head behind in third after a half-mile, moved to rail for the drive, led by a head in mid-stretch and won going away by 2 ¾ lengths on a good surface at six furlongs on Oct. 12; returned $17.60 on the front end.)

Suffolk Downs

Lion Heart Victory: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground going outside rivals into stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 9.

Cray Cray: Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after three-eighths of a mile, loomed boldly a head back in stretch and finished second by 2 ¼ lengths at five furlongs Oct. 9 at Delaware Park. (Went right to the front, led by a half-length after a half-mile, repulsed bids through the stretch, dug in gamely and won by a nose at six furlongs on a sloppy surface Nov. 10)

Turf Paradise

Proud Y Bonita: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, brushed in stretch, rallied to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on Nov. 1.

Ilikechocolatemilk: Broke ninth and last, raced seventh more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, made a big middle move gaining more than 6 ½ lengths five wide into stretch, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten two noses at about a mile on the turf Oct. 10.

Suave Charmer: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground in stretch, rallied to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 11. (Hustled to front, led by 3 ½ lengths after a half-mile and won by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 29.)

Waltzing With Blue: Broke outward, bumped, raced eighth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into the lane and rallied to finish second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 27 at Monmouth Park. (Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied seven wide entering stretch and gain third by a nose at a mile on the turf Oct. 23.)

Woodbine

Dugout Deputy: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than four lengths after a half-mile, lost ground rallying five wide into stretch, made up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length on Nov. 3.

Silver Pizzazz: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled off rail three wide on turn, rallied to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 20; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Zippy Lady: Broke outward, raced 11 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, roused on turn, rallied five wide from sixth to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 8.

Sugar Bay: Raced eighth and last early, advanced to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied wide in stretch to finish third by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on the turf Sept. 5. (Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, rallied to take lead in stretch by half-length and drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on the turf Oct. 2.)