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Abstract
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 one race, finished second eight times and ran third five times since July 8.
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 one
race, finished second eight times and
ran third five times since July 8.
ARLINGTON PARK
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: 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. (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 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 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 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
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.
Dynhocracy: Raced fifth early, advanced
to third in stretch, bumped by rival,
steadied and finished second beaten a
length at 4 ½ furlongs on July
21.
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. (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.)
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.
No More Masters: 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. (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 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.)
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 ¾ lengths
at 5 ½ furlongs on July 28.
DEL MAR
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
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.
Big Bad Leroybrown: 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. (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.)
ELLIS PARK
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.
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.
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. (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.)
LOUISIANA DOWNS
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.
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
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.
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.
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 ½ 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 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.
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. (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 ¼ lengths at six furlongs
on July 30.)
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 finished 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. (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.)
SARATOGA
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.
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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