Melikov’s Horses to Watch – Dec 2010

by Greg Melikov

posted on December 6, 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 five times and finished third four times since Oct. 2. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

Aqueduct

Ferocious Won: Raced fifth early, dropped to seventh 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 24; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

My Honey Laurie: Stumbled breaking ninth and last, almost fell and nearly lost jockey, advanced to fifth nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied relentlessly in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and won by a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 19.

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

Mending Hearts: Raced 10 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled out through the turn, closed steadily to make up 7 ¾ lengths and gained second by a nose at five furlongs on Nov. 25.

Smurf City: Bumped with winner at break, raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, lost ground going three wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 5 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a half-length at a mile on Nov. 19; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

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.

Fair Grounds

Sherlock: Bumped on both sides at break, raced seventh early, dropped to eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 25; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

Golden Gate

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. (Raced sixth and lost more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, awaited room in stretch, split rivals, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a nose at six furlongs on Nov. 26.)

Hawthorne

So Busted: Broke slowly 10th and last, steadied off rival, raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, shifted out four wide leaving turn and rallied in stretch to finish third beaten a head for second at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 18.

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

Spud Spivens: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, went four wide entering stretch, rallied late to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Nov. 20; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Pink Diamond: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals off the turn and rallied in stretch to gain third by a neck at six furlongs on Nov. 20. (Raced seventh and last more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on the turf Nov. 26; returned $7 for place.)

Laurel Park

Swing Even: Acted up, hesitated at start, raced seventh early, dropped to eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, entered stretch wide, lugged in near eighth pole, rallied late between rivals to make up 5 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Nov. 18.

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.

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.

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. (Broke alertly, went right to the front, led by a half-length after half-mile, repulsed bids through the stretch, dug in gamely and won by a nose at six furlongs on a sloppy surface Nov. 10 at Suffolk Downs.)

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. (Broke a bit slow, race more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, saved ground advancing on the turn, rallied in the two path in stretch and drew off to win by 3 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 21.)

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. (Dueled for the lead from the start, led by a length after a half-mile, battled with winner through the stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Nov. 21.)

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)

Shesmyspite: Broke on top, led by a half-length after a half-mile, increased margin to two lengths in stretch and won by 2 ¾ lengths under mild handling at six furlongs on Nov. 21; cruised final quarter in 24 3/5.

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 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. (Raced third a length and a head behind after a half-mile, circled field leaving the turn, collared leader in mid-stretch and won going away by 2 ¾ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Nov. 22.)

Dobra: Tracked pace a length and a head behind in third after a half-mile, moved to rail for 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. (Pressed pace in third a half-length and a head back after a half-mile, failed to close gap in stretch and finished third at six furlongs on Nov. 15)

Turf Paradise

Snowbound Firegirl: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied five wide into stretch to make up more than five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Nov. 19.

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. (Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a three-eighths of a mile, rallied along rail to second in stretch, but couldn’t close gap and finished second by a half-length at five furlongs on Nov. 17.)

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.

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

Midland Empire: Broke 10th and last, trailed by more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out seven wide entering stretch, rallied determinedly to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a head at seven furlongs on Nov. 19; ran final three furlongs in 36 2/5.

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.)