Breeders’ Cup Weekend: Horses to Watch

BELMONT PARK

Daveron: Raced seven lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped to seventh losing ground after six furlongs, advanced very wide turning for home, rallied from fourth to make up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 24 at Laurel Park; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 28 seconds. (Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after six furlongs, forced to remain on hold behind rivals nearing quarter pole, angled out four wide in stretch and rallied under a vigorous hand ride to win by three lengths at 1 ¼ miles on a good turf course Oct. 20.)

I Dreamt I Was: Broke 11th and last, raced 10th more than 13 lengths behind after a half-mile, fanned five wide into stretch, closed fast from sixth to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths at a mile on the turf Sept. 22; ran final half in 46 4/5. (Broke 12th and last, raced 11th more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled six wide in stretch, rallied from eighth to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a half-length at a mile on the turf Oct. 30.)

Who’s the Cowboy: Raced five lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled outward near the five-sixteenths pole, rallied down the middle in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at six furlongs on a good surface Sept. 17; ran final quarter in 23 2/5. (Unsettle for break, spotted field several lengths after gate opened, advanced to fifth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied into stretch, split rivals past three-sixteenths pole and won under a light drive by a length at six furlongs on Oct. 22.)

Strikealinethruit: Raced ninth early, dropped to 10th more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground along the rail 13 lengths back after six furlongs, angled three wide to eighth entering stretch, rallied with a late kick to make up 5 ½ lengths and finished fourth beaten a neck and a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 12; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 29 1/5. (Raced 9 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch from fourth to make up five lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on a good turf course Oct. 20; returned $7.90 for place.)

CALDER

Duchess of Doom: Raced fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced four wide to fourth on far turn, checked at top of the stretch, closed well to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 23.

He’s Alright: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and rallied from fifth to gain second by a length at seven furlongs on the turf Oct. 21.

Mini Mom: Checked early, raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground advancing into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Oct. 7.

Fusafast: Raced five lengths behind in second after a half-mile, dropped to fourth after six furlongs, rallied in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 20.

DELAWARE PARK

Cray Cray: Pressed pace two heads behind in third after a half-mile, circled rivals to take lead by a half-length in stretch and won going away by 4 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surfaces on Sept. 27. (Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after three-eighths of a mile, loomed boldly a head back in stretch and finished second by 2 ¼ lengths at five furlongs Oct. 9.)

HAWTHORNE

Abounding Attitude: Raced fifth between rivals more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled five wide in upper stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 16.

Littlebrownroad: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, gathered momentum leaving turn, angled five wide in stretch, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 7; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Mr. Alanzo: Raced five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, gathered momentum shift out four wide in upper stretch, rallied from fourth to gain second by a head at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 15. (Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, angled four wide in upper stretch and rallied to win by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 29.)

KEENELAND

Aquitaine: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, took up in traffic on second turn, lost a couple lengths angling outside for stretch run, rallied from fourth to make up 6 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 11 at Delaware Park; ran final 2 ½ furlongs in 29 1/5. (Raced ninth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground advancing to sixth after six furlongs and rallied mildly to gain third beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 28.)

I’m Not Afraid: Raced six lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, shifted out for drive, split horses in stretch, rallied to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Aug. 26 at Arlington Park. (Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up nearly three lengths and finished third beaten a head and a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 10.

Eroberer: Sped clear to set the pace, led by 2 ½ lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to eight lengths in stretch and cruised to the wire to win by 11 ¾ lengths at a mile on Oct. 1 at Turf Paradise. (Sprinted clear, led by 1 ½ lengths after a half-mile, responded willingly in stretch and won by a head at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 20; returned $20.20 on the front end.)

LAUREL PARK

Masterofcharm: Raced ninth and last more than 5 ¼ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out six wide for the drive, closed strongly making up 5 ¼ lengths in the stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 23.

Rocking Valay: Raced seventh early, advanced to fourth 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, circled five wide into stretch, closed willingly to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on Oct. 6.

Albright: Rushed up to front early, led by a length after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin to seven lengths in stretch and won by 13 lengths ridden out at 5 ½ furlongs at Suffolk Downs on Aug. 21; ran final 1 ½ furlongs in 18 3/5. (Set pressured pace to lead by a head after a half-mile, dueled to upper stretch, gave way grudgingly and held second by three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 29.)

MONMOUTH PARK

Auto City: Stumbled badly at start, steadied at five-furlong marker, advanced to second after a half-mile, lost a bit of ground dropping to third in stretch and battled gamely to the wire finishing second beaten a head at six furlongs on Oct. 24.

Jacob’s Run: Raced 11th and last early, advanced to 10th more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 17; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Isittruemossy: Bumped at break, raced eighth early, dropped to ninth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, bumped between rivals turning for home and rallied to gain third by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 10.

Curlinello: Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth within a length and three heads behind leader after a half-mile, lost ground after six furlongs, rallied between rivals in stretch to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Sept. 25. (Bumped at break, stalked outside in fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied in stretch to finish second by a head at a mile Oct. 23.)

OAK TREE

Pink Diamond: Raced four lengths behind in second after a half-mile, came out four wide into stretch, made up 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on the turf Oct. 9. (Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, came out four wide in stretch, rallied from third to make up nearly three lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on the turf Oct. 31.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Court of Nine: Broke slowly, raced more than 10 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, saved ground, split rivals in stretch, closed fast to make up six lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 19.

Candide: Raced more than eight lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, lacked room in deep stretch, steadied, made up more than 2 ¾ lengths and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 12.

Rathor: Raced 4 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, challenged leader in stretch a half-length behind and won by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on a sealed muddy surface Oct. 4. (Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lacked strong rally, but finished second by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Oct. 18.)

Dobra: Broke on top from the ninth post, led by a half-length after a half-mile, increased margin to 3 ½ lengths in stretch and cruised to a 4 ½-length victory in 1:11 4/5 ridden out at six furlongs on Sept. 12 at Monmouth Park. (Tracked pace a length and a head behind in third after a half-mile, moved to rail for the drive, led by a head in mid-stretch and won going away by 2 ¾ lengths on a good surface at six furlongs on Oct. 12; returned $17.60 on the front end.

RETAMA PARK

Set Expectations: Broke 12th from the rail, dropped to 14th and last more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced on turn, swung out nine wide in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Sept. 17; ran final quarter in 24 seconds. (Raced two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch and finished second by 3 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Oct. 9.)

SUFFOLK DOWNS

Nebula: Bumped after the break, raced seven lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied to make up 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 18.

Lion Heart Victory: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground going outside rivals into stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 9.

TURF PARADISE

Cat’s Gold: Raced more than seven lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, closed well in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Oct. 18.

Ilikechocolatemilk: Broke ninth and last, raced seventh more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, made a big middle move gaining more than 6 ½ lengths five wide into stretch, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten two noses at about a mile on the turf Oct. 10.

Tuxedo Affair: Broke 10th from the outside 12th post, raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced seven wide into turn, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at six furlongs on Sept. 23.

Suave Charmer: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground in stretch, rallied to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a nose at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 11. (Hustled to front, led by 3 ½ lengths after a half-mile and won by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 29.)

Waltzing With Blue: Broke outward, bumped, raced eighth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into the lane and rallied to finish second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 27 at Monmouth Park. (Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied seven wide entering stretch and gain third by a nose at a mile on the turf Oct. 23.)

WOODBINE

Silver Pizzazz: Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled off rail three wide on turn, rallied to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Oct. 20; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Zippy Lady: Broke outward, raced 11 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, roused on turn, rallied five wide from sixth to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 8.

Killdares Prospect: Raced more than nine lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, hustled to six wide on far turn, rallied in stretch to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten 1 ¼ lengths and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 12.

Howwondofulitis: Raced more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground angling out in upper stretch, rallied to make up nearly 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on Sept. 3. (Stalked pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dueled with winner into stretch and edged away to win by 1 ½ lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 18.)

Sugar Bay: Raced eighth and last early, advanced to fifth 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied wide in stretch to finish third by three-quarters of a length at seven furlongs on the turf Sept. 5. (Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, rallied to take lead in stretch by half-length and drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on the turf Oct. 2.)

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov, should do well next time out. These thoroughbreds won eight times, ran second seven times and finished third four times since Sept. 18. They’re worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.