Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch August 19th

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 five races, ran second twice and finished third three times since July 16. These runners are worth considering no matter your thoroughbredracebook.

ARLINGTON PARK
Afleet Deceit: Stumbled after start, dropped back to fifth more than 11 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out coming off turn, advanced to third in stretch, closed fast to make up more than 8 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs at five furlongs on Aug. 14.

CALDER
Jet Prop: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out for stretch run, rallied from third to make up 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile and seventy yards on Aug. 16.

DEL MAR
Tahoe Kid: Bumped at break, chased three deep more than 1 ½ lengths in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth in stretch, split rivals, made up two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 14.

DELAWARE
Irish Chestnut: Broke ninth and last, moved to eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside rivals to sixth in stretch, finished willingly to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 10.

ELLIS PARK
Gilded Memory: Raced eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half mile, circle four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than five lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 14.

LAUREL PARK
Pride of Seattle: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out to four path near quarter pole, rallied in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 14.

LOUISIANA DOWNS
Cajun Conquest: Raced 10 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, dropped to 10th and last after six furlongs, rallied late in tight quarters from eighth in stretch, made up more than four lengths through traffic and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 14; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 29 seconds.

MONMOUTH
Stamp: Broke slowly, advanced inside to fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, awaited room behind rivals from the quarter pole to stretch losing ground another in fourth to more than three lengths back in traffic and finished third beaten two lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 17.

Rise Up Singing: Raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in upper stretch from fifth, finished well making up 4 ¾ lengths and ran second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 14.

PHILADELPHIA PARK
Wood Alley: Broke 10th and last, advanced to fifth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, took over into the lane, drew off in stretch with singled tap of the whip and won by 11 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 9.

SARATOGA
Love for a Price: Came in a bit at break, steadied between rivals in traffic on first turn, raced ninth and last more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, launched rally at quarter pole, altered course outside at three-sixteenths pole, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on a good turf course Aug. 16.

Hard to Explain: Steadied at start, raced inside 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, forced to check behind a rival at eighth pole, altered course to outside, recovered when clear, made up nearly two lengths despite brushing with winner at winner and finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course Aug. 16.