Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch
Horse racing worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well or improve significantly next time out, won eight races, ran second four times and finished third once since Aug. 2. These thoroughbreds are worth considering no matter your betting choice or preferred online racebook.
ARLINGTON PARK
It’s Tiffin Time: Raced sixth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to fourth in stretch, closed with a rush five wide to make up 6 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 13.
BELMONT
Pure Clan: Raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, launched mild midway on far turn, blocked behind a wall of horses nearing quarter pole, angled out in sixth for room at three-sixteenth pole, split rivals in mid-stretch, made up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on a yielding turf course Sept. 6.
CALDER
Silver Bayer: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at five furlongs on the turf Sept. 6.
DELAWARE
Cash’s Girl: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, moved up between rivals into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second – beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Sept. 6.
LAUREL
Whats What: Sprang to the lead in the two path early, led by a head after a half-mile, eagerly pulled away to increase margin to 1 ½ lengths in stretch and pulled away to win by nine lengths in a hand ride at seven furlongs on Sept. 12.
LOUISIANA DOWNS
Storm Heat: Broke 10th and last, advanced to seventh more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, encountered traffic in stretch, split foes during late rally, made up more than six lengths and finished second – beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Sept. 12.
RETAMA PARK
Ms Classic Seneca: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced four wide for drive, steadied off heels of rivals inside quarter pole, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 6.
Sailorly: Broke 10th and next to last, moved to eighth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground on turn, rallied from sixth to make up more than three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Sept. 4.
TURFWAY PARK
Frequent Flyer: Broke a step slow, raced fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, shifted to three path entering stretch, split horses in stretch, rallied late to finish third making up 1 ½ lengths beaten a head and a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 6.
WOODBINE
Playboy at Home: Raced fourth early, lost ground to fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out late on turn, bumped with third place finisher while rallying in upper stretch and drove clear to win by two lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 7; disqualified to third for interference.
