Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won nine times, ran second five times and finished third twice times since Jan. 7. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
AQUEDUCT
Adirondack Warrior: Bumped at break, sat four lengths back in fourth under a good hold after a half-mile, lost a couple of lengths racing outside after six furlongs, closed willingly despite traveling erratically through stretch shying away from the whip, made up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on Feb. 13.
DELTA DOWNS
Valid Vision: Chased pace more than three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, crept closer entering turn, lost ground going seven wide into stretch, made up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at five furlongs on Feb. 13.
FAIR GROUNDS
War Echo: Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, lost ground on far turn, rallied outside to make up 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 13.
GULFSTREAM PARK
Carson Hall: Steadied in run to first turn, raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, lost ground angling out in stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a head at a mile on a good turf course Feb. 15.
HAWTHORNE
Eve’s Apple: Tracked the leaders more than 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out in stretch from fifth and gained third beaten a length for place at six furlongs on Feb. 17; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.
LAUREL PARK
Nikobokko: Raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled out for room near sixteenth pole, rallied between horses from fifth, made up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on Feb. 13; zipped final quarter in 22 2/5.
OAKLAWN PARK
Linebacker: Pressed pace 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped back to fifth losing a couple of lengths after six furlongs, moved out a bit in stretch, rallied to make up nearly 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a head at a mile on Feb. 13.
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Galofmydreams: Bobbled at break, dropped to 10th and last early, raced ninth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from sixth to make up 2 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 13.
SANTA ANITA
Roman Charity: Raced eighth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in deep stretch from fourth, split rivals to put a head in front briefly and finished a game third beaten a neck and a half-length at about 6 ½ furlongs on the turf Feb. 13.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS
Texas Aggie: Broke slowly 11th and last, blocked and boxed in seventh more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide in fifth for room to race and rallied to gain second by a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 13.
TURF PARADISE
T J’s Dixie: Raced close to the pack 1 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, boxed in along the backstretch, taken back to sixth after six furlongs, rallied outside around far turn, closed well to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second by 2 ½ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb. 14.
TURFWAY PARK
Blissful Song: Raced 15 ½ lengths behind ninth and last after a half-mile, launched rally on far turn, angled out in stretch from fifth, made up 4 ½ lengths and gained second by a head at a mile on Feb. 14.
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