Kentucky Derby Prep Races - 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 five times, ran second four times and finished third three times since Feb. 4. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.

AQUEDUCT
Half Metal Jacket: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh and last after a half-mile, swung six wide in upper stretch, made up 3 ½ lengths finishing full of run and ran second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 19; zipped final quarter in 23 1/5.

FAIR GROUNDS
Miss Acapulco: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, went outside for the drive, rallied to second in stretch, rider dropped whip nearing mid-stretch, but still increased margin to 6 ¼ lengths for place at six furlongs; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.

GULSTREAM PARK
Rena: Raced more than five lengths behind in 10th after three-eighths of a mile, swung out for the drive, rallied from eighth in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished fourth full of run beaten 1 ½ lengths and a neck at five furlongs on the turf; ran final furlong in 11 1/5.

HAWTHORNE
Roaring Rex: Raced sixth and last more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch after angling out at sixteenth pole, made up three lengths and finished third beaten two necks at a mile and 70 yards on March 15.

LAUREL PARK
Farleyshelonwheels: Raced more than seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, swung wide in upper stretch, rallied from fourth to make up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on March 18; ran final three furlongs in 36 1/5.

OAKLAWN PARK
Bar Babe: Raced three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on March 15.

PHILADELPHIA PARK
Bold Eagle: Broke inward 10th and last, raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out in mid-stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on March 17. 

SANTA ANITA
J P Jammer: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped to fifth after six furlongs, awaited room entering the lane, blocked by rivals in upper stretch, shifted out dropping to sixth, rallied past eighth pole to make up 1 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on March 19.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS
Foxy Max: Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked entering stretch in fourth, checked on heels of rivals, angled inside, made up two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on the turf March 18. 

TURF PARADISE
Mike’s Trippin: Broke out, bumped, raced fifth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to gain second by a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on March 15.

TURFWAY PARK
Dash Randar: Raced second early, dropped to third three lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, closed well late to make up five lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on March 20.