Horses To Watch

ARLINGTON PARK

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: Raced eighth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, encountered traffic, dropped to 11th more than 7 ½ lengths behind after six furlongs, rallied from seventh through traffic, made up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at about 1 1/16 furlongs on the turf July 6.

Wild Slide: Raced more than two lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground to sixth in stretch, rallied making up more than 6 ½ 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 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out for the 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. (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.)

BELMONT

Moroccan Affair: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied repeatedly and rallied in stretch to finish third beaten a head and a half-length at six furlongs on the inner turf; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Redefined: Raced seventh early, advanced to fourth nine lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch to make up 7 ½ lengths and finished a game second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on June 30.

Victory Assured: Raced fourth early, fell to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied in traffic on far turn, steadied again in stretch racing fourth and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/8 miles on a good inner turf course June 13. (Raced seventh more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on a good inner turf course July 7.)

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, closed 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.)

CALDER

Trey: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a quarter-mile, saved ground around turn, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished full of run to gain second by three lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on July 13.

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 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 5.

Waywardwillie: Hit gate at break, raced sixth early, advanced to fourth more than four lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from third in stretch to make up 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by a length at five furlongs on June 29.

No More Masters: Hit gate, trailed by more than 10 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, swung wide for the drive and closed well from eighth to gain second by 1 ½ lengths at five furlongs on June 23. (Tracked pace in third 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and finished second by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 9.)

Angel Made: Pressed pace into stretch, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at five furlongs on June 29. (Raced third early, lost ground to fourth in stretch and rallied to finish second by 2 ½ lengths at 4 ½ furlongs on July 12).

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: 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. (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.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

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. (Tracked pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, collared leader at sixteenth pole and drew clear by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on June 30.)

ELLIS PARK

Daring Julie: Trailed by more than 3 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, maneuvered six wide for drive, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf July 15.

La Bala: Broke from outside post, raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after half-mile, moved five wide leaving turn, advanced to fourth in stretch, angled inside winner to make up 3 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on July 14.

Three Cities: Broke sluggishly, squeezed back, trailed early, moved to fifth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, split rivals six wide with a burst of speed in the final furlong, made up more than 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ lengths on the turf July 7.

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 four lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on the turf June 21; ran final quarter in 22 3/5. (Stalked pace three lengths behind in third, came out in deep stretch, but could improve position at six furlongs on the turf July 12.)

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. (Raced sixth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, made up nearly 3 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/16 miles on June 29.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

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.

MONMOUTH

Tease: Trailed early, advanced to seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth to fourth in stretch, made up nearly five lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at a mile on July 15.

Lockup: Trailed by more than seven lengths after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, closed well outside to make up more than five lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on July 15; ran final quarter in 24 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.

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 ½ lengths in stretch and was nosed out at a mile on June 30.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Misty Pearl: Chased pace in sixth more than 5 ½ 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 ½ furlongs on July 8.

Peggys Run: Raced fifth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, lost ground advancing to fifth in stretch, split rivals, finished well making up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf July 2.

Departing Now: Raced eighth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, launched drive five wide on far turn, lost ground entering stretch, exchanged contact with rival at eighth pole, rallied from fourth to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf June 25. (Raced second early, dropped to third close to pace after three-eighths of a mile, saved ground entering stretch, but failed to improve position at five furlongs on the turf July 9.)

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.

Storm a Brewing: 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. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, carried out leaving quarter pole, drifted in while closing and won second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on July 14.)

RIVER DOWNS

One-Eyed Jackie: Raced four lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, fanned six wide into stretch, made up 3 ¾ lengths and dead-heated for second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on July 7 at Ellis Park.

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. (Raced fifth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out three wide into upper stretch, surged to front late and won by a head at six furlongs on July 7.)

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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