Horse Racing Articles By Greg Melikov

Horses to Watch

AQUEDUCT

Today’s Charmer: Raced 17 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced wide to sixth in stretch, made up nearly 11 lengths and lost by a half-length and a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 17.

Gimme Getme: Roughed up between rivals after start, raced eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide entering stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished fourth beaten less than 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 10.

Posted: Bumped after start, rushed up to second along backstretch, steadied while racing greenly, dropped back to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to second in stretch, made up three lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 31.

Bold Mon: Bumped after start, steadied, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside into stretch, closed from fifth to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 27; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Nedjma: Bumped after start, dropped to last more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced along rail to fifth in stretch, made up more than 6 ½ lengths and lost by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 15.

Magic Momentum: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, steadied and shuffled back in traffic to seventh on far turn, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up nearly 5 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 7.

Unconcerned: Steadied after start, trailed by more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out in stretch and closed gamely from sixth beaten three-quarters of a length by stablemate at six furlongs on Dec. 30; entry paid $14 on the front end and $11 to place. (Raced sixth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to seventh angling out in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and won by a nose at six furlong on Jan. 25.)

FAIR GROUNDS

Wrzeszcz: Broke from outside post, trailed early, moved up to sixth more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out turning for home, rallied from fifth to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Feb. 10.

Circle of Fire: Broke last, trailed by more than 11 ½ lengths after a half-mile, closed fast from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 2.

For Glory: Broke alertly, taken back to sixth early, inched up four wide to fourth four lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely in stretch to make up nearly four lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 7; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Eight Mile Rock: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, launched bid five wide on turn, rallied belatedly from fourth to make up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on Feb. 18.

Hay Cheif: Broke slowly from outside post, raced ninth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to 10th when blocked behind wall of foes leaving far turn, found room while advancing in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb. 11.



by Greg Melikov