Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch October 27th

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well or improve significantly next time out, won nine times, ran second eight times and finished third five times since Sept. 13. These thoroughbreds are worth considering no matter your betting choice or preferred racebook.

CALDER

Super Whipper: Raced inside more than 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled outside winner in stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on a good surface Oct. 25.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Masrawy: Broke a step slow 11th and next to last on rail, raced seven lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, circled field five wide for drive, bumped repeatedly with rival entering stretch, continued with good energy from fifth, made up six lengths and finished third beaten a length at seven furlongs on Oct. 26.

Fort Apache Star: Raced eighth and last early, moved to sixth seven lengths behind after a half-mile, angled in saving ground for drive, split rivals in stretch from fifth, bumped with third-place finisher, made up 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 26.

DELAWARE PARK

Etrain: Raced fourth early, dropped back to eighth and last through the turn, rallied from seventh in stretch and finish third beaten a neck for place at six furlongs on Oct. 20; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

HAWTHORNE

Sky High Spirit: Raced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied through traffic from fifth in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 22.

LAUREL

Crack the Opus: Broke in air, rushed up inside to chase pace 4 ½ lengths behind in second after a half-mile, eased out for drive, made up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on a sealed muddy track Oct. 25.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Watta Warlock: Raced ninth early, rushed up to grab lead by a head after a half-mile, dropped back to seventh entering stretch, rallied wide to make up more than two lengths and gained third by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 20.

TURF PARADISE

Dante’s Gulch: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, made up 3 ½ lengths and finished second by 3 ¼ lengths at a mile on Oct. 25.

WOODBINE

Tap Show: Raced more than nine lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in stretch from sixth to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 19.

RETAMA PARK