Horses to Watch

by Greg Melikov

posted on May 29, 2012 in Horse Racing, Uncategorized, WinningPonies.com | No Comments >>

Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching: a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won five times, finished six times and ran third five times since May 5. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

ARLINGTON PARK

Mai Tai Mama: Sped clear early, led by six lengths after a half-mile and steadily increased margin ridden out to win by 14 lengths in 1:38 3/5 for the mile on May 23.

Pryce’s Posse: Broke in tight quarters, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth 10 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fourth in stretch, rallied to make up 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by a length at five furlongs on a yielding turf course May 9.

BELMONT

Imaging: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, forced to await opening in first half of stretch, angled out and split horses at eighth pole, closed fast late to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course May 24.

Sweet N Nutty: Raced ninth and last 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than four lengths in stretch and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface May 9.

The Laurels: Raced eighth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in center of stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained third by a head at 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course May 6.

Escape Artist: Raced 10th and last early, advanced to ninth six lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up to third entering stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten by a nose at a mile on April 27.

CALDER

I Run Fast: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at five furlongs on a sealed good surface May 20.

Joanie’s Image: Broke slowly eighth and last, raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a quarter-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on May 6.

Madness n’ Mayhem: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals in stretch and rallied to gain second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 27. (Broke fifth and last, trailed by 4 ½ lengths after six furlongs and finished third by 13 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles taken off the turf May 18.)

Truly Distinctive: Steadied after start, raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, moved up for drive, rallied from second in stretch to make up 1 ½ lengths and finished in that position beaten a half-length at a mile on a good surface April 22.

Call in Rich: Tracked pace 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, couldn’t gain on leader in stretch and finished second by a length at seven furlongs on May 3. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied a bit to finish third by a head at six furlongs on May 20.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Moon Struck Nemi: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 19.

DELAWARE PARK

Win Willy: Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, angled outside for drive, made up 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on May 19.

Guam Typhoon: 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 at Tampa Bay Downs. (Broke sharply, led by a length after a half-mile and drew off under a brisk hand ride to win by 5 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 14.)

EMERALD DOWNS

Denim and Diamonds: Chased pace five lengths behind in second after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to lead by three lengths and held on to win by a neck at a mile on April 15 at Golden Gate Park. (Raced fourth early, dropped to seventh and last more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied a bit from fifth in stretch and finished third by a half- length at six furlongs on May 26.)

FAIRMOUNT PARK

Rare Action: Tracked pace in fourth two heads and a length behind after a half-mile, roused for drive, took lead by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off to win by six lengths at six furlongs on April 27 at Hawthorne. (Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from fourth in stretch to gain second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on May 18.)

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS

Tropical Heat: Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, steadied and blocked along rail, swung out in stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on May 5.

My T Quick: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on April 21.

Hard Spun Secrets: Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, blocked behind leaders in stretch, angled out and gained second by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 3. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth between rivals in stretch and won by a nose at six furlongs on May 19.)

Premium Quality: Broke fifth and last, moved to fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, trapped behind leaders at three-sixteenths pole, raced in check until eighth pole, shifted out, made up nearly 1 ½ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on March 25.

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Confucius Junior: Broke outward, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out entering stretch, rallied between rivals to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a head at a mile on the turf April 8 at Santa Anita. (Pressed pace a length behind in third after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch and finished second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on May 6.)

Adam Suances: Ran sixth early, dropped to eighth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch and drew clear to win by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on April 29. (Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and finished third by two lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on May 26.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Crescent City Hero: Broke a bit slow, raced more than eight lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second, beaten by three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on May 20.

Can’touchthisgal: Raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied to make up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten by a neck at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf May 6.

MONMOUTH PARK

Michael P.: Raced 10 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied three wide in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 20.

Dragonfish: Broke seventh and last, raced sixth 15 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied from fourth along rail in stretch, made up more than three lengths and finished second beaten by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on May 12.

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Calvados: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled in for drive, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on May 21.

Spin Zone: Grabbed lead by a half-length after a half-mile and drew off under wraps to win by 9 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on May 8. (Went right to the front, led by a half- length after a half-mile, increased margin to two lengths in stretch, weakened and finished second beaten by a half- length at seven furlongs on May 26.)

Forest Machi: Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, closed fast between rivals in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a half-length at six furlongs on April 21.

Coffee Bar: Tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, took lead in early stretch and drew off with speed to spare winning by four lengths at seven furlongs on April 9. (Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced five wide to third in stretch and drew clear to win by 3 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on a muddy surface May 22; returned $24.60 on front end.)

Island Bound: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied wide from third to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on March 27.

Empire Diva: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and rallied a bit in stretch to finish third by 10 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on April 22. (Pressed pace a half-length and a head behind in third after a half-mile, eased out wider in stretch and won going away by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 8.)

Rock Ptarmigan: Raced 8 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied on far turn to take lead in upper stretch and drew off to win by 5 ¾ lengths at a mile on April 17. (Chased pace six lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by three-quarters of a length at a mile on May 5.)

WOODBINE

Café Au Lait: Tracked pace three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, angled out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten by a half- length at a mile on the turf May 23.

Any Given Royal: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground entering the stretch, rallied from fifth to make up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beat by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on April 22.