Horse Racing Articles By Greg Melikov

Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won nine races since May 27.

ARLINGTON PARK

Act Like a Lion: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 16 ½ lengths after a
half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from seventh to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beat a length at seven furlongs on June 23; ran final three furlongs in 35 4/5.

Dr. Feelgood: Broke 10th, raced more than 18 lengths behind in 11th after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, made up 6 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on June 14.

Poschner: Raced more than six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile,
moved up in the stretch to fourth, made up three lengths and finished second
beaten a neck at 1 1/8 miles on the turf June 9.

Metts Ready: Raced off rail in fourth more than two lengths behind after a
half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths and
gained second by a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on May 26. (Raced third early,
dropped back to fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile,
surged to lead in stretch and drew off by 3 ¾ lengths under urging at a mile
on June 10.)

BELMONT

Delta Sea: Bumped at break, trailed by more than 17 lengths after a
half-mile, angled out in stretch, closed fast from fifth to make up 10
lengths and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on June 20; ran final three
furlongs in 34 4/5.

Victory Assured: Raced fourth early, dropped back to sixth more than 3 ½
lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in traffic on far turn, steadied
in stretch racing fourth and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/8 miles
on a good inner turf course June 13.

Rizzi’s Twist: Stumbled badly at start, bumped, raced eighth more than nine
lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, closed fast
to make up more than 6 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and
three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on June 10; ran final quarter in
24 1/5.

Exton: Broke eighth, crowded at start, raced three wide in sixth more than 3
½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, finished
well to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16
miles on the turf May 24. (Led by a head from the start pressed by three
different rivals, dug in gamely in stretch and prevailed by a nose at 1 1/16
miles at Belmont on June 13.)

Sweet Ransom: Rank in gate, raced 9 ½ lengths behind in third after a
half-mile, rallied wide to challenge leader at six furlong marker, bumped
with winner in upper stretch and lost by three-quarters of a length at a
mile on the turf May 4. (Pressed pace a length back in third after a
half-mile, advanced three wide approaching stretch, drew clear in
mid-stretch by 1 ½ lengths and won by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on June
7.)

CALDER

No More Masters: Hit gate, trailed by more than 10 ½ lengths after
three-eighths of a mile, swung wide for drive, and closed well from eighth
to gain second by 1 ½ lengths at five furlongs on June 23.

Angel Made: Hit gate at start, raced seventh early, advanced to sixth in
stretch and gained second by a nose at 4 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy
surface June 15.

Cajulena: Hit gate at break, steadied to avoid pulled up rival on
backstretch, raced four lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a
mile, rallied to third in stretch and gained second by a half-length at five
furlongs on a good turf course May 25.

Angel Wings: Flew out of the gate on rail to the front, led by three lengths
after a half-mile, drew off through the stretch to win by 12 ¾ lengths in a
hand ride at six furlongs on May 14. (Rushed to the lead, raced two lengths
ahead after a half-mile and drew clear under a vigorous hand ride to win by
3 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface June 21.)

Lady Tropicana: Trailed by 13 lengths after a half-mile, swung out in 10th
for drive, rallied to sixth in stretch, made up 4 ¾ lengths and finished
full of run second by a head at a mile on the grass May 6; ran final quarter
in 23 1/5. (Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled
three wide on far turn, grabbed lead by five lengths and won by 12 ½ lengths
ridden out at 1 1/16 miles on May 27.)

Swift Mercedes: Pinched back at break, trailed by more than 10 lengths after
a half-mile, closed well from seventh in stretch to make up more than 4 ½
lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and three-quarters of a
length at a mile on the turf April 25. (Broke alertly, went right to the
front, led by 2 ½ lengths after a half-mile and cruised to a 7 ½-length
victory at six furlongs on June 7.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Smokin’ Spirit: Bobbled at break, swerved out, rushed up to press pace a
half-length back after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground entering
stretch, made up 1 ½ lengths and lost by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on June
15.

Smart Bunny: Drifted in at break, raced sixth more than five lengths behind
after a half-mile, rallied four wide into the lane, made up nearly three
lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a head and a neck at six
furlongs on June 9; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Whatsthescript: Encountered trouble racing fifth along backstretch, advanced
to fourth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied on far turn,
dropped to sixth, worked way out five wide for drive, blocked briefly in
stretch, closed from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length
at 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course May 9.

Tell It All: Raced fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile,
steadied when faded rival lost rider, carried extremely wide around turn
losing ground to last, recovered advancing to fourth in stretch, rallied to
make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a
length at a mile on May 1.

Nonesuch Kiss: Raced sixth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile,
rallied five wide approaching stretch, took over about sixteenth pole and
drew off by 1 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on May 16; returned $16.20 on
front end. (Raced fourth early, dropped back to fifth more than 2 ½ lengths
behind after a half-mile, circled rivals into the stretch to gain second and
prevailed by three-quarters of a length at a mile on June 9; returned $34 on
the front end.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Cigar Pal: Broke a bit slow, trailed by more than seven lengths after a
half-mile, swung three deep into the stretch, rallied from eighth to make up
more than fourth lengths and was nosed out six furlongs on the turf June 21;
ran final quarter in 22 3/5.

Big Bad Leroybrown: Raced ninth early, dropped back to 10th more than 5 ½
lengths after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, rallied between
rivals from eighth, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten
a neck and three-quarters of a length at 7 ½ furlongs on June 14.

My City by the Bay: Broke last, trailed by more than six lengths after a
half-mile, swung three deep into stretch, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths and
gained second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on the turf June
10.

Red Opal: Raced seventh early, dropped to eighth more than 7 ½ lengths after
a half-mile, came three deep into stretch, drifted in a bit, rallied to make
up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs
on the turf April 25; ran final quarter in 22 4/5.

INDIANA DOWNS

Hold the Salt: Raced sixth four wide six lengths behind after three-eighths
of a mile, closed determinedly from third in stretch and won by a
half-length at five furlongs on May 28 at Churchill Downs. (Chased leader
three lengths behind in second after a half-mile, saved ground moving to
lead in stretch and drew off by 5 ½ lengths at a mile on the turf June 16.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Trivali: Steadied leaving chute, fell back to eighth in tight on
backstretch, advanced a bit, steadied again, dropped to ninth more than
seven lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into the lane,
rallied to fourth in stretch and dead-heated for second at seven furlongs on
a sealed sloppy surface June 10.

MONMOUTH

Brokerage House: Raced seventh more than four lengths behind after a
half-mile, angled out midway on the far turn, advanced to fourth as rider
lost whip at quarter pole and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8
miles on a good turf course June 21.

Chollie One: Trailed early, moved to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind
after a half-mile, saved ground into the lane, rallied from fourth between
rivals to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a
nose and a head at six furlongs on June 13.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Yo Cuz: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to
fifth going widest entering stretch, rallied to make up more than 1 ½
lengths and finished second by a nose beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs
on June 17.

Thermostatic: Raced outside fifth after a half-mile, lost ground entering
stretch, closed with a late surge to make up more than three lengths and
finished second beaten a half-length at 7 ½ lengths on the turf June 9.

Storm a Brewing: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than seven lengths
behind after a half-mile, rallied wide into stretch, made up more than seven
lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a nose at six furlongs
on May 12. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile,
split rivals at quarter pole and won by 3 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on June
9.)

Precisely Sue: Tracked pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a
half-mile, shuffled back between rivals midway around turn, closed in final
furlong to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a head at six
furlongs on March 27.

Cabo Rojo: Raced seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile,
moved up inside to fifth in stretch, made up more 2 ½ lengths and lost by a
half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 17.

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Awesome Idea: Trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a
mile, closed willingly in stretch to make up four lengths and finished
second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on June 23.


by Greg Melikov