Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won six times, finished second six times and ran third eight times since Jan. 7. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

AQUEDUCT

The Fed Eased: Stumbled at start, bumped, recovered in short order to gain lead after quarter-mile, increased margin to seven lengths in stretch and won by 7 ¾ lengths under some hand encouragement covering six furlongs on a good surface in 1:10 3/5 Jan. 29.

Opus A: Broke alertly, pressed pace early a length behind in second, led by a half-length after a half-mile, increased margin to four lengths in stretch and cruised to victory by six lengths in 1:37 2/5 for a mile on a good surface Jan. 20.

Wachiwi: Raced 3 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 7. (Raced fifth early, steadied at the seven-sixteenths pole, dropped to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive and rallied to gain third by a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 9.)

This Hard Land: Broke slowly, hesitated a bit, raced ninth and last 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, ran greenly losing ground into the far turn, advanced between rivals just past the three-sixteenths pole, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 1. (Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced in stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 23.)

T Rae: Avoided bumping at start, raced sixth early, dropped to seventh fifth lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced four wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Dec. 29. (Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from third to spilt rivals at eighth pole and drew clear to win by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 23.)

Upper Gulch: Raced more than 12 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced between rivals into stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by a nose at a mile on a good turf course Dec. 10.

Wind in My Sails: Bobbled at break, steadied on first turn, raced more than five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile and rallied  in stretch to gain third by a head at a mile on Dec. 2. (Raced 2 ½ links behind in third after a half-mile, outkicked in stretch and finished in the same position at six furlongs on Jan. 9.)

CHARLES TOWN

Silver Pizzazz: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled five wide entering stretch and rallied from fifth to finish second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on Jan. 12. (Chased pace more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came six wide into stretch and rallied to gain third by a half-length at seven furlongs on Feb. 9.)

FAIR GROUNDS

Minnirahy: Raced third early, dropped to fifth 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost some ground entering stretch, closed well to make up nearly four lengths and finished second by a head at six furlongs on Jan. 29.

Ammaroo: Raced more than 10 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, closed gap four wide entering stretch, rallied to make up 6 ½ lengths and gained second by a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 20

Generous Offer: Bumped with rival at break, raced more than 12 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, moved out under strong urging on far turn, came five wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 6. (Broke outward, raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied in upper stretch and finished second by 3 ¾ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 29.)

GULFSTREAM PARK

Ashtonofun: Raced 11^th early, moved to 10^th more than 3 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung out for stretch run, rallied from eighth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a head at five furlongs on a good turf course Jan. 28.

Bad Debt: Steadied in tight quarters shortly after start, raced more than 16 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, closed gap by six-furlong marker, swung out for the drive, made up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and finished second by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on a good surface Jan. 28; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Silk Route: Raced more than nine lengths behind in ninth after a mile, went six wide on final turn, rallied in stretch to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a nose at 1 ½ miles on Jan. 20; advanced to second when runner-up was disqualified for interference in stretch.

Mending Hearts: Raced more than six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, box in midway through far turn, angled five wide for stretch run and finished third beaten a neck and a length at a mile on the turf Dec. 17 at Calder. (Broke on top, dueled early, led by a half-length after a quarter-mile, raced second a head back after a half, edged away in stretch and won by 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Jan. 7.)

HAWTHORNE

Jingle Jangle: Raced 23 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced to sixth closing gap 10 lengths by the half-mile pole, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 11.

LAUREL PARK

Joann’s Appeal: Shuffled back to 10^th and last leaving starting gate, advanced to ninth 9 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground moving to eighth in stretch, angled out in mid-stretch, made up more than 7 ¾ lengths and gained third by three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on a good surface Feb. 3.

Reign of Tears: Raced sixth and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled four wide into stretch, rallied between rivals to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 17.

Urban Speed: Raced more than five lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, swung wide into stretch and finished third by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 17. (Raced more than 71/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch and finished third by 2 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on a good surface Feb. 3)

OAKLAWN PARK

Wilson River: Broke alertly, went right to the front, led by a half-length after a half-mile, shook clear leaving turn, increased margin to seven lengths in stretch and won by 14 ¼ lengths ridden out in 1:11 1/5 at six furlongs on Jan. 27.

East Coast Swing: Pinched back at break, raced last and eighth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from fifth to make up more than four lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on a good surface Jan. 21. (Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, floated seven wide into stretch and rallied to gain second by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 13.)

June’s Best: Raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled out four wide for drive, rallied in stretch to make up more than five lengths and gained second by a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 8 at Hawthorne.

Crystal Moment: Broke outward at start, went to front willingly along rail, led by 1 ½ lengths under tight restraint after a half-mile, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and won by 12 ¼ lengths ridden out in 1:10 1/5 at six furlongs on Dec. 22 at Fair Grounds.

So Busted: Threw head back at break, altered course early to avoid rival, raced 10^th more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted out on far turn, split foes in upper stretch, rallied to gain command nearing furlong marker and turned back challenge to win by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 17 at Hawthorne; returned $29 on front end. (Broke eighth and last, trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, saved ground while moving to third in stretch, weakened and finished third beaten a head for second while entry mate Monhocracy won at a mile on Jan. 28.)

PARX (PHILADELPHIA PARK)

Thornwell: Tracked pace more than a length behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground moving to third after six furlongs, rallied wide in stretch to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 25.

Western Mon: Pressed pace a length behind in third after a half-mile, dropped to fourth going wide into stretch, rider lost whip at sixteenth pole, closed gamely and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Dec.18; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

SANTA ANITA PARK

Ultra Blend: Raced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, lost ground dropping to ninth and last after six furlongs, closed gamely in stretch to make up more than three lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a nose at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 29.

Suitable Attire: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile on Jan. 28. (Raced more than three lengths behind in seventh after a half mile, split rivals three wide into the turn, rallied in stretch and gained second by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on Feb. 11.)

Crisis of Spirit: Stalked pace more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground awaiting room leaving turn, blocked behind rivals to mid-stretch, came out to split foes a sixteenth out, made up more than 1 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a head at six furlongs on Jan. 20.

Stoneside: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, rallied to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf Dec. 31; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 28 seconds. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied turn for home, gained advantage in mid-stretch, but couldn’t hold off winner and finished second beaten a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf Jan. 29.)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Talk: Raced more than four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 30.

Monterey Street: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground going three wide on turn, rallied in stretch to make up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Dec. 23; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

(Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled out four wide for the drive and rallied in stretch to gain second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 15.)

Satisfied Mind: Stalked pace less than three-quarters of a length behind in third after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to second, dueled with leader and edged clear to win by a length at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 29. (Raced fourth early, grabbed lead by a head after a half-mile, shook clear by 1 ½ lengths in stretch and pulled away late to win by 7 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 9.)

TURF PARADISE

Buds N Roses: Raced 10^th and last more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out six wide for drive, rallied from fifth to make up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Jan. 28. (Steadied early, raced eighth and last more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide into stretch and rallied from sixth to finish third by a nose at a about a mile on the turf Feb. 13.)

Joe Black Sandy: Raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, made big middle move to close gap by six-furlong marker, surged to lead by a half-length when rider lost whip in upper stretch and extended margin to win by 7 ¼ lengths ridden out at about a mile on the turf Jan. 24; ran final quarter in 24 3/5. (Staked pace in third a head and 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, rallied between rivals on far turn, dueled in stretch past eighth pole and won by a neck at a mile on the turf Feb. 12.)

Tarage: Raced more than 5 ½ lengths in sixth after a half-mile, rallied five wide in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 12 at Turfway Park. (Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish third by a nose at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 28.)

Warduty: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than eight lengths after a half-mile, angled four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Dec. 21; ran final quarter in 24 3/5.

Major Madagan: Stalked pace 1 ½ lengths  behind in second after a half-mile, dueled with pacesetter in stretch and drew off to win by three lengths at a mile on Jan. 10. (Pressed pace two heads behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground while advancing to second in stretch and rallied in closing strides to win by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 28.)

TURFWAY PARK

Cool Trick: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, lost ground five wide on the turn, rallied to make up five lengths in stretch and gained third by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 23. (Tracked pace a length behind in second after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to gain lead by 1 ½ lengths and drew off under steady urging to win by four lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 4.)

Robin My Girl: Broke slowly seventh and last, advanced to fourth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, grabbed lead by a head in stretch and drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 15. (Tracked pace in third two lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied outside to finish second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 12.)

Logan’s Lake: Bumped early, raced more than 10 lengths behind in ninth after three-eighths of a mile, circled seven wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up nearly 6 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 28.