Melikov’s Horses to Watch, Jun 2011, cont.

by Greg Melikov

posted on June 23, 2011 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | No Comments >>

BinocularsHorses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won eight times, finished second three times and ran third six times since May 22. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

 

 

ARAPAHOE PARK

Brookton: Broke alertly, went to the front, led by a half-length after a half-mile and drew clear in stretch to win by 4 ¾ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on May 7 at Turf Paradise. (Chased pace two lengths behind in second after three-eighths of a mile, rallied between rivals in in mid-stretch to gain lead by a length and finished second beaten by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on May 28.)

ARLINGTON PARK

Tensaw: Raced 10th and last in traffic early, advanced to eighth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, spilt foes in mid-stretch, made more than 6 ¼ lengths and gained second by two lengths at six furlongs on June 17; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Lantic: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, carried out while rallying in stretch to make up more than 6 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at five furlongs on the turf May 21.

Rose Mountain: Tracked leaders 3 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, shifted outside in stretch, closed fast to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at six furlongs on May 7; ran final quarter in 22 4/5. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch splitting foes, made contact with runner-up and drew clear outside to win by 2 1/2 lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on May 28; returned $10 on front end.)

BELMONT

Strong Impact: Raced five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, dueled with winner to wire and finished second beaten by a nose at six furlongs on the turf June 16; ran final quarter in 22 2/5.

Slamm’n Lou: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, eased three wide leaving five- sixteenths pole to avoid tiring rival, rallied to make up three lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 22. (Chased pace seven lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, rallied inside turning for home and won by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 18.)

Latin Rocks: Broke well, went to the front, spared briefly with rival, led by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to 5 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 10 ¼ lengths in a hand ride covering six furlongs in 1:10 1/5 on May 11.

CALDER

Eager Leader: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 10 ½ lengths after a half-mile, swung out for room in stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 17.

Gob Smacked: Tracked pace inside 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, bumped rail twice entering far turn, losing ground and rallied in stretch to gain second by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf May 22.

Madness n’ Mayhem: Broke slowly, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at a mile on a good turf course May 8; ran final quarter in 23 3/5. (Raced seven lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs and Rallied in stretch to run third beaten by a neck and a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 10.)

For Terina: Raced seventh and last more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced four wide around far turn, rallied from third in stretch to draw off and win by 2 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface taken off turf May 6. (Raced more than six lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, swung out five wide for stretch run and finished third at a mile and 70 yards on June. 3)

CHARLES TOWN

Gilhooley’s Super: Pinched back at start, tracked pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in traffic on turn, closed gamely in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at six furlongs on May 7 at Pimlico. (Pressed pace from rail a length behind in second after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied to gain lead at sixteenth pole and won by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on May 26.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Tajaaweed: Raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch, rallied from fifth working way inside to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf at Arlington Park May 8; ran final quarter in 23 seconds. (Raced fifth and last more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to grab lead by a length in stretch, drifted out and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 17.)

Keertana: Raced 10 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung six wide entering stretch, rallied from third to win by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 ½ miles on a yielding Keeneland turf course April 28. (Raced four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled in on final turn slipping through along hedge, dueled with leader during prolonged drive in stretch and won by a nose at 1 ½ miles on the turf May 28.)

DELAWARE PARK

Tibetan Lady: Raced more than 12 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out in stretch, made up more than 1 ¾ lengths and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at about a mile and 70 yards on the turf June 14.

Dr. Skip: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, closed fast in stretch between rivals to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten by a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 30. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by 8 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 21.)

Sweet N Sour Nina: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten by a nose at a mile and 70 yards on May 15 at Monmouth Park. (Raced three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth and rallied a bit to gain third by 3 ¾ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on June 11.)

Courting Wisdom: Exchanged contact with third-place finisher leaving gate, steadied nearing turn, raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, eased six wide into stretch losing ground and rallied to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on May 9. (Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to run down leader and won by a length at six furlongs on June 18; returned $10.20 on front end.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Exuma: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to make up more than three lengths and gained third by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on June 18.

Fire Break: Raced more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, steadied between rivals a quarter from home and rallied in stretch to gain third by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on May 27.

Clue Me In: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after half-mile, split horses on the turn and rallied outside from fourth in stretch to gain second by a length at six furlongs on May 5.

Zees Chris: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled outside for stretch run and finished third by 3 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on May 22. (Stalked pace outside 1 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, bumped between horses dropping to fourth at quarter pole and finished third at 7 ½ furlongs on June 4.)

Ultra Blend: Bobbled at break, raced more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, swung four wide into stretch, rallied from third to win by a length at 7 ½ furlongs on April 23. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from fourth between rivals, forced inward by winner and finished second at 1 1/16 miles on May 22, but was advanced to first on interference disqualification; returned $18 on front end.)

MONMOUTH PARK

Champagnelifestyle: Raced more than three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied to make up two lengths in stretch and finished third beaten by a nose and a head at 1 1/8 miles on the turf June 18.

Goodeveningofficer: Went right to the front, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and won in hand by eight lengths at six furlongs on May 28. (Led by a head after a half-mile, dueled to the wire and won by a head at six furlongs on June 17.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Ben’s Cat: Chased pace four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a head at five furlongs on the turf June 18.

The Intimidator: Chased pace more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at seven furlongs on May 21. (Pressed pace a head behind in second after a half-mile, took lead in mid-stretch and drew off to win by 6 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on June 11; returned $11.20 on front end.)

Surprise Storm: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied around rivals in stretch and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on March 9.

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Mopleasant: Broke alertly, raced two wide with leaders in heavy fog and drew off in stretch to win by 9 ¼ lengths at a mile on May 21. (Tracked pace three lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second after six furlongs, but weakened in stretch to finish third at a mile on June 2.)

WOODBINE

Rise to Glory: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied six wide in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on June 16.

Samsal: Set pressured paced leading by a length after a quarter-mile, came out in stretch to bump rival and won by a neck at 4 ½ furlongs on May 28, but was disqualified to second for interference.

Always Wildcatin’: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten by a half-length at six furlongs on May 6; ran final quarter in 23 4/5. (Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied from fifth along rail and gained third by a nose at six-furlongs on June 5.)