Greg Melikov’s December 8th Horses to Watch
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 six times, ran second eight times and finished third once since Oct. 24. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when charting your horse betting strategy.
AQUEDUCT
The Shaughraun: Broke next to last from the outside 10th post, raced 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, turned for home five wide in fifth, finished willingly to make up 2 ½ lengths and ran second by a neck at a mile on the inner track Dec. 7.
CALDER
Witty Woman: Raced fourth early, dropped to sixth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fourth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
FAIR GROUNDS
Fifty Five: Broke ninth and last, raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came inside on far turn, angled out for drive, went inside in stretch rallying from seventh to second, made up five lengths and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Dec. 6.
HAWTHORNE
Bow Tie Pasta: Broke sideways ninth and last, moved to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied repeatedly along backstretch losing a couple of lengths, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, made up a length in stretch and finished a game fourth at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 6.
HOLLYWOOD PARK
Bow Tie Pasta: Broke sideways ninth and last, moved to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied repeatedly along backstretch losing a couple of lengths, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, made up a length in stretch and finished a game fourth at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 6.
LAUREL
Anjunothat: Stalked contested pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out midway on turn, took command in upper stretch and drew off under confident handling to win by nine lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 6; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Novation: Sprinted to front, led by five lengths after a half-mile, steadily increased margin in stretch and cruised to easy win by 14 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Dec. 2.
RETAMA PARK
Peggy Charlese: Raced six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied six wide on turn, closed from fourth in stretch to make up 2 ¾ lengths and finished second by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 28.
TURF PARADISE
Ransom Captive: Tracked pace more than 2 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, awaited room for the drive, advanced to third in stretch, steadied near sixteenth pole and gained second by a neck at a mile on the turf Dec. 6.
TURFWAY PARK
Southern Squire: Broke in the air, raced seventh early, moved to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses betting for the drive, gained second in stretch, made up 3 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 5
