Greg Melikov's Horses to Watch
By GREG MELIKOV
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won nine times, ran second four times and finished third twice since June 18. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.ARLINGTON PARK
Crater Maker: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung widest on far turn, lost ground in stretch, closed with a rush to make up 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile on a good turf course July 24.
Bacetto: Raced eighth and last more than 10 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed with a rush in the stretch to make up 6 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a length at seven furlongs on July 9. (Broke slowly, raced eight lengths behind in eight and last after a half-mile, advanced five wide into stretch, closed fast late from third and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths at a mile on July 23.)
Link to My Heart: Raced 10 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, split horses in stretch and rallied late to make up more than seven lengths and gained second by a half-length 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course July 9.
The Foundry: Raced seventh and last more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out widest for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch and gained third by 1 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on June 14. (Raced 16 lengths behind seventh and last after a half-mile, circle field entering stretch and closed fast from fifth to win by a neck at a mile on July 8.)
Jilly From Philly: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half mile, lost ground turning for home and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third beaten less than three-quarters of a length at a mile June 7. (Raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile and finished in that position at 1 1/16 miles on July 5.)
Pure Clan: Raced sixth and last 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out four wide on far turn, rallied between horses in stretch from fourth to make up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 6 at Churchill Downs. (Raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth after six furlongs, steadily advanced to take lead by a head in stretch and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths at 1 3/16 miles on the turf July 11.)
BELMONT
Hurricane Heat: Gained lead soon after break, was two lengths in front after a half-mile, discouraged pair of pursuers increasing margin to six lengths in stretch and won by 8 1/2 lengths ridden out at 7 1/2 furlongs on June 19. (Dueled for lead shortly after break, pressed pace in second a head back after a half-mile, took lead on turn, kept to task in stretch and won by a half-length at a mile on July 1; returned $10.20 on front end.)
CALDER
Midnight Scrimmage: Broke slowly, raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, closed well to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a head at a mile on July 18.
DELAWARE PARK
Harlequin Sky: Raced 6 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, closed well outside into the stretch, made up four lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at a mile and 70 yards on the turf July 21.
Split City: Broke alertly, went right to front, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and drew off to win by 13 1/2 lengths ridden out at a mile on July 4. (Raced sixth early, advanced to fourth a length and two heads between after a half-mile, moved up inside leaving turn and finished well between rivals in second by a length at six furlongs on July 20.)
Burrowing Owl: Raced 1 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground going four wide in stretch, rallied to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on June 16. (Raced four lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile and gained second by a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on July 25.)
DEL MAR
Tallahsocean: Broke a bit slowly, raced 11th early, advanced to ninth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up outside on turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 1/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 23; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
Itsnotjustagame: Stalked pace two lengths back in third after a half-mile, lost ground swinging wide on far turn, closed willingly from fifth to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 3/8 miles on the turf July 23.
Warren's Tony R.: Raced more than three lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, closed willingly from fourth in stretch to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on May 22 at Hollywood Park. (Stalked pace 2 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch, gained narrow lead in mid-stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at mile on June 18 at Hollywood Park.)
ELLIS PARK
My Rocket Man: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground moving five wide on turn, closed well late from fifth to make up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on soft turf July 24.)
Ponticiello: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, launched six wide bid into stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than 5 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at a mile on soft turf July 24; ran final quarter in 24 3/4.)
EVANGELINE DOWNS
Feelthelightening: Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied wide from sixth in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on July 4.
Fiber Core: Broke 14th and last, moved to 12th early, advanced to seventh more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch and gained second by a neck at seven furlongs on June 19.
HOLLYWOOD PARK
Reba Is Tops: Pressed pace less than a length behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, gained advantage in stretch by a half-length and won by a length at five furlongs on the turf May 15. (Dueled for lead a head in front after a half-mile, edged away in mid-stretch to lead by 1 1/2 lengths, but was nipped at the wire by a nose to finish dead-heated for second at six furlongs on the turf June 19.)
LONE STAR PARK
Our Story: Raced more than six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung out in fourth at top of the stretch, closed fast to make up 4 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at seven furlongs on a muddy surface May 3. (Raced more than 3 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced three wide on the turn entering stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on July 25.)
LOUISIANA DOWNS
Walkinpicture: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came six wide out of turn, finished willingly to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on July 2. (Raced more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, challenged three wide into stretch to grab lead and increased winning margin to six lengths under steady urging at six furlongs on July 24.)
MONMOUTH PARK
Brotherly Love: Stalked pace three wide two lengths back in third after a half-mile, lost ground in stretch angling inward, made up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on July 19.
Whats Up Cuge: Chased pace more than four lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, angled out in upper stretch, made up 2 3/4 lengths and gained second by a head at five furlongs on July 5. (Broke alertly, went right to the front, led by two lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin in stretch and drew off ridden out to win by 7 1/4 lengths at five furlongs on July 26.)
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Moon Spark: Broke sluggishly, raced ninth and last more than 15 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide from fifth in stretch, made up more than six lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on the turf July 7.
Minor Issues: Raced fifth early, advanced to lead by a head after a half-mile, dropped to second in stretch and held place by 8 3/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 5. (Broke slowly, raced two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, came very wide into stretch and rallied from second to win by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 21.)
Peruano Smoke: Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second after six furlongs, but couldn't catch winner and held place by 4 1/4 lengths at a mile on June 29. (Raced seventh more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, moved to rail on far turn, rallied from third in stretch to take over and drew clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 19; returned $27.60 on front end.)
PLEASANTON
Welken: Tracked pace in fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up in tight quarters behind a wall of horses, gained command in stretch and won by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 14 at Golden Gate Fields. (Broke on top, led by a head after a half-mile, increased margin to 1 1/2 lengths after six furlongs, weakened in stretch and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on July 12.)
WOODBINE
Silent Knight: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out late on turn, rallied willingly to make up more than four lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 8.
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Cuvee Rouge: Bumped, bobbled soon after break in brutal trip, steadied again in tight quarters during opening quarter-mile, raced sixth more than two behind after a half-mile, blocked between rivals trying to find opening in upper stretch, steered out wider and closed well late to gain second by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 18; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 30 3/5.
Prime Delivery: Raced ninth and last more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room on far turn, and eight wide into stretch and closed steadily from seventh to finish second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 18; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 30 2/5.
WOODBINE
Lucky Lulu: Broke 11th, dropped to 12th and last 13 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch, closed fast from 10th to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths and gained second by a half-length at seven furlongs on the turf July 15; ran final three quarters in 33 2/5.
