Horses to Watch - List of Runners that Pay Off
by Greg Melikov
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 five times, ran second five times and finished third six times since July 25. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
ARLINGTON PARK
Best Actor: Raced sixth and last early, moved to fifth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 21.
CALDER
Comprise: Broke seventh and last, raced sixth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for the drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 1 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Aug.15.
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DELAWARE PARK
Don’t Push It: Raced sixth early, roughed up in tight quarters, advanced to third 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide losing ground into stretch, made up four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Aug. 19.
DEL MAR
Action in May: Raced 11 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than three lengths and finished well in second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 20.
ELLIS PARK
Q the Music: Broke on top, led by 1 ½ lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to five lengths in stretch and drew off under steady urging to win by 8 ¾ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 16.
EVANGELINE DOWNS
Gulch’s Belle: Broke 12th and last, moved to seventh nearing turn, steadied in tight, split horses at three-eighths pole seven lengths behind in fifth, rallied inside making up more than 6 ¼ lengths in stretch and ran second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 15.
LAUREL PARK
Perfect Pet: Chased pace inside more than 3 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eights of a mile, angled out four wide for the drive, closed gamely to make up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs on Aug. 22.
LOUISIANA DOWNS
Miss Alice Nell: Stalked pace in third a head and 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to grab lead in stretch and drew clear under token encouragement to win by 9 ¼ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 20.
MONMOUTH PARK
Leather: Broke ninth and last, steadied in tight early due to spill, raced last more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 21; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
SARATOGA
Speechifying: Racing more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied in stretch, steadied, altered course toward rail and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Aug. 19; placed first when winner was disqualified for interference and dropped to second.
Smart Seattle: Stalked pace in fourth two heads and 1 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, raced greenly a bit in stretch, boxed, steadied, traveled sideways several strides, went outside for room, unleashed powerful late kick and won going away by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 13; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 17 2/5.
WOODBINE
Wiseher: Raced more than eight lengths behind in 13th after a half-mile, hustled six wide on far turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up three lengths and gained second by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
