Horse Racing – The Ultimate Guide
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 four times, ran second nine times and finished third twice since Nov. 20. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.
AQUEDUCT
Chocolate Pop: Steadied in traffic along inside on first turn, raced seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung five wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 10.
More Than a Reason: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch and finished willingly gaining third by four lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 10. (Tracked pace three lengths behind in third after a half-mile, gained in mid-stretch and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 17.)
Heir to the Stone: Stumbled at start, bumped, raced fourth early, advanced to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied turning for home, made up nearly two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Dec. 14.
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.
FAIR GROUNDS
South Line: Broke ninth and last, advanced to raced fifth 8 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung out wide turning for home, rallied determinedly from fourth in stretch, made up more than 6 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 1; ran final half-furlong in five seconds.
GULFSTREAM PARK
Museeb: Prompted pace along rail a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dropped back on far turn, steadied, angled outside a wall of rivals at sixteenth pole and finished dead-heated for fourth beaten less than three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 10.
Red Hot Bullet: Steadied early after breaking third, raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for stretch run, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a head 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 3; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 30 seconds.
Notonthesamepage: Broke seventh from inside post, rushed up to the front, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile and drew off to win by 8 ¼ lengths ridden out at six furlongs on Jan. 3; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.
Lincoln’s Bullet: Pressed pace a half-length back in second after a half-mile, moved up to engage winner in stretch, dueled, gained lead by and head and was out gamed to the wire finishing second beaten a half-length at seven furlongs on Dec. 28 at Calder. (Raced 10th and last early, advanced to seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved five wide to fifth in stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and won by a nose at six furlongs on Jan. 11.)
Bruno’s a Biter: Broke alertly from post 12, raced 1 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground circling rivals on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Dec. 18 at Laurel Park. (Broke on top from the outside 12th post, pressed pace in third after a half-mile, gained second three wide around far turn, weakened in stretch and finished third by a half-length at a mile on Jan. 24.)
LAUREL
Golden Vision: Raced more than 11 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came wide turning for home, closed fast from fourth in stretch to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final quarter in 23 4/5. (Broke from the 10th and outside post, raced fourth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, went six wide entering stretch, grabbed lead by a head, dueled and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Jan. 24.)
Anjunothat: Raced eight lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled out four wide approaching quarter pole, closed sharply under steady hand pressure to collar leader nearing sixteenth pole and drew clear to win by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 9. (Raced six more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up 6 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 23.)
OAKLAWN PARK
Silver Bayer: Raced fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, assumed command entering stretch and drew clear to win by 7 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 7 at Turfway Park. (Forced pace in second a head back after a half-mile, gained lead by a head after six furlongs, battled in stretch and finished second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on Jan. 19; returned $1 0.40 for place.)
PHILADELPHIA PARK
True Values: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, boxed in leaving turn to upper stretch, responded in final furlong and gained second by a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 2.
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. (Sprinted clear from break, led by three lengths after a half-mile, battled gamely in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 13.)
Take a Leap: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, split rivals entering stretch, finished fast to make up 4 ½ lengths and gained second by three lengths at six furlongs on Nov. 4 at Philadelphia Park. (Broke a step slow seventh and last, raced eight lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, carried wide around turn, rallied to second in stretch, made up 5 ½ lengths and finished full of run beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 2 at Penn National.)
RETAMA PARK
Hadi K: Raced six lengths behind in fourth after three-eights of a mile, rallied inside on turn while saving ground, made up more than four lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 3.
Aille’s Heartflush: Unruly in gate, vied for lead early, raced a half-length ahead after three-eighths of a mile, dueled with winner in stretch and ran second defeated a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 18. (Tracked pace in third more than a length behind after a half-mile, rallied on far turn moved to second, but couldn’t close gap in stretch and finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the third-place finisher at a mile on Jan. 2.)
Cowgirl Cool: Fractious in gate, original rider hurt and replaced, stalked pace 2 ½ lengths behind in second, dropped to third after six furlongs, rallied in stretch and gained second by 2 ¾ lengths at a mile on Nov. 21. (Raced more than two lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied on turn to take second, but couldn’t catch winner while securing the place by a dozen lengths at a mile on Dec. 5.)
Fiesta Margarita: Broke from the outside 10th post, raced 10th and last early, advanced to ninth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide to fourth in stretch, closed fast to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 11. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after three-eighths of a mile, swung out four wide in upper stretch, rallied from second and won by a length on Nov. 20.)
SANTA ANITA
White Lace Jimmy: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, surged after coming off rail, gained more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 8.
Thelma Rose: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Jan. 1; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.
TAMPA BAY DOWNS
Unbridled Behavior: Stalked pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, rallied three wide into stretch, duel with leader and edged clear under strong handling to win by 1 ¼ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 26 at Laurel. (Pressed pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, moved to a clear lead after five furlongs and pulled away in stretch to win by three lengths at seven furlongs on Jan. 23.)
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 at Hawthorne. (Raced third early, took the lead by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by six lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 22.)
TURF PARADISE
Miguel H: Chased pace early 3 ½ lengths behind in second after a quarter-mile, took command by two lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to 8 ½ lengths in stretch and won by 11 ¾ lengths ridden out at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 17 3/5.
Derry: Bumped at break, raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, dropped to fifth in stretch, closed steadily to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 20. (Raced 1 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, fell back leaving turn and gained second by three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on a sealed muddy surface Jan. 6.)
His Way: Raced third early, dropped to fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to second in upper stretch, threw his head inside the furlong marker and finished third beaten two necks at a mile on the turf Dec. 8. (Pressed pace in third more than a length behind after a half-mile, rallied to a narrow advantage between rivals nearing the lane, but couldn’t catch winner and finished second by 6 ½ lengths 1 1/16 miles on a sealed muddy surface on Dec. 23.)
TURFWAY PARK
Lady Troie: Raced seven wide more than three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth in upper stretch, came again to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Jan. 9.
Southern Squire: Broke in the air, raced seventh early, moved to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses 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.
