Melikov’s Horses to Watch, Mar 2012, cont.

by Greg Melikov

posted on March 19, 2012 in Free Picks and Tips, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | 1 Comment >>

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won 10 times, finished second four times and ran third three times since Feb. 8. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

AQUEDUCT

Sammzilla: Raced fourth early, began to alter course on turn to elude erratic rival, lost round in mid-stretch getting to rail, rallied to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on March 11.

El Dreamer: Raced more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, encountered traffic on turn, split rivals at three-sixteenths pole, rallied from third in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a nose at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed muddy surface Feb. 29. (Tracked pace a head and 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, rallied in stretch to lead by a head and lost bob to finish second, beaten a nose at a mile and 70 yards on March 10.)

Reserved Quality: Broke sixth and last, raced six lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by 3 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 16.

Law Enforcement: Broke seventh and last, trailed by more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, closed fast from fourth in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on the inner track Dec. 4. (Loped along more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out four wide for stretch run and rallied from fifth to win by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 21.)

Coaltown Legend: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from sixth in stretch to gain third by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 15. (Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch and won by a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 8.)

FAIR GROUNDS

Beckyboy: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in 11th after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished third, beaten a neck for second at about a mile on a good turf course Feb. 25.

Tito: Bumped hard on both sides at break, shuffled back to eighth and last, trailed by more than eight lengths after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 27. (Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, eased out for drive, rallied to take command in stretch and drew away under strong urging to win by six lengths at a mile and 70 yards on March 10.)

Vigilante Law: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed well to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 8.

GOLDEN GATE

Denim and Diamonds: Raced 9 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than three lengths and finished second by a half-length at a mile on March 11.

Light Up the Sky: Broke in stride, dueled early, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to 3 ½ lengths in stretch and won by eight lengths, ridden out at a mile on Feb. 17. (Raced fourth and last five lengths behind after a half-mile, collared leader in mid-stretch and won by a half-length at a mile on March 8.)

GULFSTREAM PARK

Call in Rich: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth seven lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and gained third by 2 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on March 16.

California Quick: Went right to the front, led by three lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to seven lengths in stretch and won ridden out by 12 ¾ lengths in 1:10 on a sealed sloppy surface.

Slow Pace: Raced third early, fell back to fourth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to sixth after six furlongs, angled out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Feb. 26.

Clip the Coupons: Hit gate at break, raced 12 ½ lengths behind in 10th after three-eighths of a mile, angled wide at top of stretch, closed fast from seventh to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second, full of run, beaten a length at five furlongs on the turf Jan. 16.

M’Dearest: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide to challenge inside eighth pole and finished third, beaten a head and a nose at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Jan. 22. (Raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung out for drive and rallied in stretch to win by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 21.)

HAWTHORNE

Rare Action: Raced more than six lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled four wide for drive, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on March 11.

LAUREL PARK

T. T.’s Point: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth losing ground after six furlongs, rallied between rivals to make up more than three lengths in stretch and finished second, beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed sloppy surface Feb. 29. (Pressed pace early, grabbed lead by a head, lost lead in stretch, came again and won by 1 ¼ lengths at about 1 1/16 miles on March 16.)

Phil’s Posse: Raced seventh and last early, advanced to fourth seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 15; ran final quarter in 24 2/5. (Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swept to command in upper stretch and drew off to win by 6 ½ lengths at a mile on March 2.)

Mystical Terp: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile and rallied five wide in stretch to finish second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Feb. 11. (Raced more than three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung out five wide for drive, rallied to collar leader in stretch and won by a length at seven furlongs on March 8.)

OAKLAWN PARK

Here’s Fat: Took up after start, raced 11th and last more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out widest for drive, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished second, beaten a length at six furlongs on March 16.

Kitty Kat Karly: Raced sixth early, dropped to eighth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, brushed with third-place finisher in mid-stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished fourth, beaten two necks and a length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 24. (Pressed pace a head and a half-length behind in third after a half-mile, took lead on far turn, increased margin to 2 ½ lengths in stretch and won under steady handling by 4 ½ lengths at a mile on March 18.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Empire Diva: Raced 10 lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up eight lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on March 12.

Rock Ptarmigan: Raced more than 11 ½ lengths behind 10th and last after a half-mile, closed fast to second, carried out in stretch by winner and was beaten by three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on a good surface Jan. 28; his jockey’s claim of foul not allowed.

Mi Preciosa: Raced seven lengths behind, seventh and last after a half-mile, rallied in stretch and finished third, beaten a nose for second at a mile and 70 yards on Feb. 4. (Pressed pace two heads behind in third after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to gain lead by a half-length, but was outgamed and finished second, beaten a neck at six furlongs on March 5.)

Chief Thundercloud: Tracked pace more than a length behind in sixth after a half-mile, checked in traffic on turn and rallied gamely in stretch to gain third by a neck, beaten a head for place at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 7.

SAM HOUSTON

Bianamazed: Stalked pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, rallied between rivals coming off far turn and drew clear to win by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed muddy surface Feb. 13. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied four wide on turn, grabbed lead by a head in stretch, weakened, but held second by a length at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface March 9.)

SANTA ANITA

Valley Cat: Steadied at start, raced 15 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on the turf March 15.

Tiz a Bud Girl: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out for room in mid-stretch, surged late to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a neck at a mile on the turf March 1; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Line One: Chased pace 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, came out wide in stretch, rallied to make up nearly 1 ½ lengths and finished in that position, beaten a neck and a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 16.

Adam Suances: Raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came out leaving turn and finished third by a length at six furlongs on Feb. 21. (Raced seventh and last more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals in mid-stretch and finished third by a half-length at a mile on March 18.)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Lady of Greatness: Broke alertly, led by a length after three-eighths of a mile and drew off to win by 11 ½ lengths, setting the track record of 1:02 3/5 for 5 ½ furlongs on March 14.

Hogan Search: Tracked leaders a length behind in third after a half-mile and drew off in stretch without urging to win by 10 lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 29.

Sparkles Gold Band: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, shuffled back in traffic to sixth after six furlongs, rallied from third in stretch to make up two lengths and finished second, beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 15. (Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled outside for the drive and finished third, beaten two heads at a mile and 40 yards on March 3.)

Another Smokey: Raced more than six lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Feb. 11. (Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, made a middle move and finished third by a neck at 1 1/8 on the turf Feb. 25.)

Guam Typhoon: Tracked pace 1 ½ lengths and a head behind in third after a half-mile, led by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 2 ½ lengths, ridden out at 6 ½ furlongs on a wet fast surface Feb. 17. (Pressed pace early, led by a head after tree-eighths of a mile and won by 1 ¾ lengths at five furlongs on the turf March 17.)

TURF PARADISE

Rodeo Cat: Raced sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a quarter-mile, steadied six wide on turn, closed well late to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second, beaten a half-length at 4 ½ furlongs on March 13.

Cosmic Surfer: Bumped, steadied at start, raced more than seven lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, moved outside on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished third, beaten a head and three-quarters of a length at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Feb. 28.

De Sica: Broke a bit slowly, raced seventh more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied seven wide in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished second, beaten a nose at six furlongs on Feb. 17. (Chased pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind in third, advanced to second in stretch, but couldn’t close gap and finished in that position by 2 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on March 4.)

TURFWAY PARK

Doublefour: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh and last 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile on Feb. 25. (Broke fifth and last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile and finished third at a mile on March 10.

Thomas Jefferson: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Feb. 18.