Horse Racing Articles By Greg Melikov

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 six races, finished second four times and ran third eight times since July 27.

ARLINGTON PARK

Wriggle: Broke alertly from outside post, raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, closed late to make up two lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on Aug. 24.

Bluesbdancing: Stumbled at start, exchanged bumps with rival, raced sixth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, in tight through the turn into stretch, closed well late to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on a good turf course Aug. 11.

Classic Strike: Broke ninth from outside post, raced eighth more than 17 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, closed well from outside to fourth in stretch, made up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Aug. 2.

Dubuque: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and lost by a nose and 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 13.

Lacer: Trailed by seven lengths after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and gained second by a length at 1 1/8 miles taken off the turf July 27. (Bumped at break, raced eighth lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made a quick move on the far turn, closed from second in stretch and drew off by 4 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles taken off the turf on Aug. 15.)

Wild Slide: Raced more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground to sixth in stretch, made up more than 6 ½ lengths and gained second by a half-length at five furlongs on June 30.

Dr. Feelgood: Raced fifth early, dropped to last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from seventh to fourth in stretch and gained second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on July 8. (Raced 10th early, dropped to 12th more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from seventh in stretch to gain third by three-quarters of a length a mile on July 27; returned $6.20 to show.)

CALDER

On Lake: Checked at start, trailed early, raced 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from fifth to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up more than three lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 25.

Activator: Bumped with rival at break, rushed inside to lead early, steadied in tight along backstretch, raced second a half-length behind after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, angled out for drive, made up two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Aug. 11. (Pressed pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, weakened in stretch and finished third at a mile and 70 yards on April 26.)

Viva La Slew: Hopped at start, raced fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out for drive, made up more than three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on July 29. (Raced seventh after three-eighths of a mile, passed tired rivals in stretch and finished third by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 17)

Trey: Chased winner in second at every call and defeated the third-place finisher by 2 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy track July 29. (Tracked pace in third more than two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, couldn’t close gap in stretch and held position by a head at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Aug. 23.)

DELAWARE PARK

Box the Fox: Broke last, trailed early, advanced to seventh more than five lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, closed gamely from sixth to make up more than two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 25.

Maribel’s Princess: Raced sixth more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, bobbled on heels of rival at top of the stretch and rallied gamely to finish second by 1 ¾ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on July 28.

DEL MAR

Royal Classic: Broke last, raced sixth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from fifth to second making up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 25.

Artist’s Tale: Raced fourth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch under left handed urging, bumped with rival at sixteenth pole, split horses to make up 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 11; disqualified and placed fourth for interference in deep stretch.

So Long Sonoma: Broke from outside post, raced eighth early, moved up to seventh more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses entering stretch, rallied from fourth to make up nearly 5 ½ lengths and was nosed out six furlongs on Aug. 1 (Raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 23.)

Victory Joe: Bumped between rivals at break, squeezed back, raced fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in mid-stretch, rallied to second making up 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head at six furlongs on July 22.

Queen Holly: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from sixth along rail in stretch, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and was beaten a head for second at five furlongs on July 2 at Hollywood Park . (Tracked pace in fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came three deep into the stretch in second, gained lead in mid-stretch and inched away to win by a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 20; returned $10.60 on front end.)

Big Bad Leroybrown: Chased pace more than seven lengths in seventh after a half-mile, rallied from fifth to take lead by a half-length in stretch, weakened and finished second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on July 22. (Crowded between rivals at start, settled inside more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses leaving turn, came out in stretch to gain second and drew off under energetic handling to win by 3 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 10; returned $13 on front end.)

ELLIS PARK

She’s Got Da Jack: Sprinted clear early, led by 2 ½ lengths after a half-mile, drew off into the lane, tapped twice with whip, shied for a stride from two tire halves beneath inner railing about 60 yards from wire and won under her own power by 16 lengths at a mile on Aug. 9.

Spell Me: Raced six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from fourth to second in stretch making up three lengths and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 1. (Raced fourth more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, advanced between rivals on turn, closed fast five wide from second to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 22.)

Raedonald: Trailed by more than six lengths after three-eighths of a mile, advanced six wide to fifth into the lane, carried out very wide in stretch by fading leader, made up nearly five lengths and was nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf July 22. (Raced fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eights of a mile, worked way outside for the drive and was hard ridden to win by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf; returned $19.40 on the front end.)

La Bala: Bumped at break by rival, raced six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch and flattened out to finish third at 6 ½ furlongs on July 28. (Raced sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out wide for the drive and finished third at a mile on Aug. 17.)

One-Eyed Jackie: Trailed early, advanced to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third by a length at six furlongs on July 21 at River Downs. (Trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, moved between rivals to fifth in stretch, made up two lengths and finished third at seven furlongs on Aug. 12.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Feisty Commander: Raced eighth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 24.

Eccentric Girl: Raced fourth more than 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, dropped to fifth in tight along rail in upper stretch, angled out for room, closed willingly to make up nearly 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a neck at about a mile on the turf Aug. 2. (Led by a half-length after a quarter-mile, increased margin to 3 ½ lengths in stretch and hung on by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Aug. 23.)

Invading Deputy: Tracked pace in third 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, came three wide for drive, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on July 22.

Absent Friend: Broke last, trailed by more than 25 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied down middle of stretch from sixth to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on July 1. (Broke in, raced 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, roused for drive and gained third by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on July 15.)

Driftwood Lodge: Raced seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, began a steady gain to fourth in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good surface June 29. (Raced 13 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, brushed with winner turning for home, made up nearly two lengths in stretch and was nosed out at 1 ¼ miles on Aug. 5.)

MONMOUTH

Sammy Van Ammy: Raced five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to eighth after six furlongs, blocked along inside in upper stretch, angled out, closed fast to make up more than two lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a good turf course Aug. 19; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

Mr. W. B.: Raced fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came three wide into the lane, rallied from second to make up two lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 10; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

Tap Tap Antoinetta: Broke next to last from outside post, trailed by more than 12 ½ lengths after a half-mile and rallied from fifth between rivals in stretch to gain second by a neck on Aug. 2; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 4/5.

Capital Crime: Pressed pace early, gained lead by a head after a half-mile, led by three lengths in stretch and cruised to 10-length victory ridden out at six furlongs on July 6; ran final quarter in 24 4/5. (Stalked pace more than two lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on July 27.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Tootsnmoneybags: Raced wide 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of mile, closed well from third to second making up nearly 4 ½ lengths and came up a nose short at five furlongs on July 30.

Chastise: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, lacked room leaving quarter pole, rallied from fourth when clear in stretch, finished gamely to make up five lengths and lost by a neck at about five furlongs on the turf July 21.

SARATOGA

Centerport Baby: Lunged in air at break, pinched back, steadied, raced seventh more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out on turn, drifted seven wide at quarter pole in sixth and rallied belatedly to gain second by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 22.

My Fair El: Broke alertly, raced third early, grabbed lead by a half-length after a half-mile, shook loose in mid-stretch and drew off by eight lengths under a vigorous hand ride at six furlongs on Aug. 9; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

Elisa’s Energy: Raced nine lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, advanced four wide to reach contention on turn in fifth, dropped to sixth in upper stretch encountering heavy traffic, closed late to third making up more than three lengths beaten a length and a neck at a mile on the inner turf course Aug. 1; placed second after the runner-up was disqualified to fourth for interference in stretch.

Dancing Tin Man: Checked at start, raced ninth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside on turn, angled out in upper stretch in sixth, closed belatedly to make up more than 1 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 30; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 29 2/5. (Raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide to second in stretch and was nosed out at a mile on the inner turf Aug. 20.)

Open Sleigh: Raced four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, saved ground on far turn, angled out for drive, rallied from fourth to second in stretch, made up more than 3 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 22 at Monmouth. (Tracked pace 1 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, made run inside furlong marker and was nosed out for second at 1 1/16 miles on inner turf on Aug. 11; returned $5.60 to show.)


by Greg Melikov