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 two races, finished second six times and ran third five times since July 8.

ARLINGTON PARK

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

Classic Strike: Broke ninth from outside post, raced eighth more than 17 ? lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, closed well from outside to fourth in stretch, made up more than 4 ? 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 ? lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ? lengths and lost by a nose and 1 ? lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 13.

Lacer: Raced eighth more than 4 ? lengths behind after a half-mile, encountered traffic, dropped to 11th more than 7 ? lengths behind after six furlongs, rallied from seventh through traffic, made up 4 ? lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at about 1 1/16 furlongs on the turf July 6. (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.)

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 ? lengths and gained second by a half-length at five furlongs on June 30.

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

Dr. Feelgood: Raced fifth early, dropped to last more than 7 ? 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

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.

Viva La Slew: Hopped at start, raced fourth more than 2 ? 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.

Trey: Raced 7 ? lengths behind in fifth after a quarter-mile, saved ground around turn, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up 5 ? lengths and finished full of run to gain second by three lengths at 4 ? furlongs on July 13. (Chased winner in second at every call and defeated the third-place finisher by 2 ? lengths at 5 ? furlongs on a sealed sloppy track July 29.)

Tinted Moon: Broke slowly, trailed by more than eight lengths after three-eighths of a mile, angled outside in stretch, closed well from sixth to make up more than 2 ? lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of length at 5 ? furlongs on July 5.

No More Masters: Tracked pace in third 2 ? lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and finished second by a length at 5 ? furlongs on July 9. (Raced fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch, but could not improve position at six furlongs on Aug. 4.)

Lady Tropicana: Raced 4 ? lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled three wide on far turn, grabbed lead by five lengths and won by 12 ? lengths ridden out at 1 1/16 miles on May 27.? (Tracked pace three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, slipped through along rail to second in stretch and edged away to win by two lengths at 1 1/16 miles on July 8; returned $14.80 on the front end.)

DELAWARE PARK

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 ? lengths at 5 ? furlongs on July 28.?

DEL MAR

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 ? 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 ? lengths and was nosed out six furlongs on Aug. 1

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

Queen Holly: Broke slowly, trailed by more than 9 ? lengths after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from sixth along rail in stretch, made up more than 2 ? lengths and was beaten a head for second at five furlongs on July 2 at Hollywood Park.

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 ? 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 ? 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 ? 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 ? furlongs on the turf Aug. 1.

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 ? furlongs on the turf July 22.

La Bala: Broke from outside post, raced eighth more than 7 ? lengths behind after half-mile, moved five wide leaving turn, advanced to fourth in stretch, angled inside winner to make up 3 ? lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at 6 ? furlongs on July 14. (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 ? furlongs on July 28.)

One-Eyed Jackie: Trailed early, advanced to sixth more than 6 ? 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 ? 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.)

LAUREL PARK

Easy Lassie: Raced 4 ? lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, saved ground into stretch, eased out, rallied to second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 12; ran final quarter in 23 1/5.

LOUISIANA DOWNS

South Beach Boy: Broke last, raced ninth more than 9 ? lengths behind after a half-mile, came six wide turning for home, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 6 ? lengths and finished second by a neck at 6 ? furlongs on Aug. 10.

Eccentric Girl: Raced fourth more than 1 ? 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 ? lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a neck at about a mile on the turf Aug. 2.

Invading Deputy: Tracked pace in third 1 ? lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, came three wide for drive, made up 2 ? 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 ? lengths after a half-mile, rallied down middle of stretch from sixth to make up 5 ? lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on July 1. (Broke in, raced 3 ? 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 ? 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 ? miles on Aug. 5.)

MONMOUTH

Mr. W. B.: Raced fifth more than 3 ? 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 ? 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 ? 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.)

West Abe: Pinched back at start, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied on rail from third to make up nearly 3 ? lengths in stretch and was nosed out at a mile on June 30. (Forced out at break, raced fifth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface July 29.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

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

Chastise: Raced more than 5 ? 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.

Misty Pearl: Chased pace in sixth more than 5 ? lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground through turn, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths in stretch and was nosed out at 5 ? furlongs on July 8. (Trailed early, moved to seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled outward on turn and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain second by 1 ? lengths at six furlongs on July 30.)

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

SARATOGA

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 ? lengths and finished third beaten a neck and 1 ? lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 30; ran final 2 ? furlongs in 29 2/5.

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 ? lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 22 at Monmouth. (Tracked pace 1 ? 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

Greg Melikov weighs in weekly with his online horse race handicapping events, news, betting tips and expert analysis of the racebook industry and horse racing in general.

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