Greg Melikovs Horses to Watch

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 11 times and finished third five times since Feb. 27. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

AQUEDUCT

Mama Brown: Checked at start, raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied belatedly from third in stretch to make up more than 2 ¬ lengths and finished third beaten a head and a neck at six furlongs on April 1; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

Star of New York: Settled 1 « lengths behind dueling leaders after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, rallied inside eighth pole to make up 2 « lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on the inner track March 19. (Pressed the pace three wide in third two lengths behind after a half-mile, took the lead in stretch and drew clear to win by 1 ¬ lengths at a mile on April 7.)

Western Deed: Bumped at break, stumbled, repeatedly exchanged bumps with rival to first turn, raced 7 « lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, dropped to eighth and last after six furlongs, rode rail into stretch, closed from sixth to make up 2 « lengths on second place foe and gained place by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Feb. 4.

Chaysen Alex: Broke slowly seventh and last, raced five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced three wide to third in stretch, closed willingly to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a length at six furlongs on the inner track Jan. 7; ran final quarter in 44 2/5. (Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 « lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide for drive and gained third by a head at six furlongs on the inner track March 6.)

Kissa Melissa: Broke seventh and last, raced more than 4 « lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, circle four wide to third in stretch and closed steadily to win by a head at six furlongs on Feb. 21. (Prompted pace two heads behind in third after a hall-mile, roused in stretch, gained lead and drew off in hand to win by 2 ¬ lengths at six furlongs on a good surface March 12.)

EVANGELINE DOWNS

Blondies Meadow: Raced 6 « lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced entering stretch and gained second by a half-length at 6 « furlongs on March 17 at Delta Downs. Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dueled with leaded down the stretch and won by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on April 7; returned $10.40 on front end.)

GULFSTREAM PARK

En Fuego: Raced more than 4 « lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, bumped and steadied between rivals entering far turn, closed well in stretch to make up more than 2 ¬ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a nose at 1 3/8 miles on a good turf course March 31.

Its About Image: Raced more than three lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced four wide around turn to fourth in stretch, rallied to make up nearly two lengths and finished second nosed out at a mile on March 31.

Manhattan Fox: Broke slowly seventh and last, trailed by more than five lengths after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, then angled in between rivals to make up more than 3 ¬ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf; zipped final quarter in 22 3/5. (Stalked pace 4 « lengths behind in third after a half-mile, eased out on far turn losing ground, staged mild rally in stretch and gained third by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 10.)

Alluring Power: Broke on top, set pace two lengths in front after a half-mile, dug in game in mid-stretch leading by a head and weakened, but held second by 1 ? lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Feb. 22. (Stalked pace a length back in second after a half-mile, caught leader at eighth pole and edged away to win by 1 ¬ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf April 9.)

HAWTHORNE

Thehottestnewshow: Steadied a bit off the third-place finisher four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, altered course to race between rivals on turn, awaited opening in upper stretch, rallied in close quarters while being forced out slightly, made up more than 2 « lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on March 31.

Next Adventure: Ducked out early, bumped third place finisher, dropped to sixth and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground along rail into stretch, railed to make up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on March 17; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Wild Expectations: Broke inward bumping rival, raced eighth early, advanced to seventh more than 8 « lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide for the drive, rallied from sixth to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 13; ran final quarter in 23 seconds. (Tracked pace in fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, responded to left handed urging turning for home and closed to win by a neck at six furlongs on March 6.)

KEENELAND

Grassy: Raced seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to ninth and last after six furlongs, split rivals in mid-stretch, angled out from seventh for a clear path, closed fast to make up more than 3 ¬ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 8.

Guys Reward: Raced more than 8 « lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced to fifth after six furlongs, lost ground going five wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¬ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 2.

Distinctively: Raced more than six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, lost ground going four wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Feb. 6 at Gulfstream Park. (Raced three lengths behind in fourth and last after six furlongs and closed mildly in stretch to finish third beaten a half-length for place at 1 1/8 miles on March 27 at Aqueduct.)

LAUREL PARK

Philharmonic: Bumped with third place finisher leaving gate, dropped to eighth and last 16 « lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth saving ground in stretch to make up seven lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on March 17; rocketed final quarter in 21 4/5. (Raced eighth and last early, advanced to seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, closed strongly under right handed pressure in stretch and eagerly pulled clear to win by 1 ? lengths at six furlongs on April 7.)

Lookin Foxy: Raced eighth and last more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, came seven wide into stretch, closed fast to make up 8 « lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on Jan. 23; ran final three furlongs in 37 2/5. (Prompted pace early in third, dropped to fourth more than 3 « lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide under stout left hand urging and drew off to win by two lengths at seven furlongs on March 11.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Habby Quatorze: Lunged slightly leaving gate, raced 1 « lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, lost several lengths racing wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 1 ? lengths and finished third beaten 1 ¬ lengths at 6 « furlongs on March 27.

Naughty and Bold: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 3 « lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up between rivals to fifth in stretch, closed gamely along rail to make up 4 « lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on March 15.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Superior Thief: Dueled for the lead from the start, raced a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, put a head in front in stretch and drew clear under steady urging to win by 1 ? lengths at seven furlongs on Feb. 25 at Delta Downs. (Contested pace early, led by a head after a half-mile, battled determinedly in stretch and hung on for third at 1 1/8 on the turf April 3.)

SANTA ANITA PARK

Giganticus: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than six lengths after a half-mile, shifted outside in upper stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than five lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about 6 « furlongs on March 10. (Chased pace more than 3 « lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, advanced to third between rivals in stretch, came put to rally under energetic handling and won by a length at about 6 « furlongs on the turf April 3.)

Lookin at Lucky: Bothered at break, raced fifth early, jumped heels of rival when runner-up came out nearing a half-mile, dropped to sixth more than 4 « lengths behind after four furlongs, advanced four wide turning for home and closed fast in stretch to win by a head at 1 1/16 miles on March 13. (Raced third early, squeezed back entering first turn, raced fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied and shuffled back again midway on far turn, looked for room in stretch, split rivals in mid-stretch, angled in and finished third by 1 ¬ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on April 3 in worst trip of Kentucky Derby preps.)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Tarva: Raced 7 « lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked through far turn and into stretch losing a bit of ground, slipped through inside from fourth and finished a game third beaten a neck and 1 ¬ lengths at about 1 1/8 miles on the turf April 2.

Debbies Fast Girl: Raced more than 6 « lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, blocked in far turn dropping to 10th and last, swung outside for the drive, rallied from eighth to make up more than 3 « lengths in stretch and gained third by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Jan. 30. (Raced eighth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled outside leaving far turn, closed fast from fourth in stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course Feb. 27; returned $15.20 on front end.)

TURF PARADISE

Lucky B Lou: Raced eighth more than 7 « lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out in upper stretch, closed late to make up more than 3 ¬ lengths and finished third beaten a nose and three-quarters of a length at a mile on April 2.

Consider: Broke seventh and last, trailed by more than 11 « lengths after a half-mile, advanced to sixth making up 6 « lengths after six furlongs, went six wide entering stretch and closed steadily from fifth to finish second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf March 12. (Raced more than nine lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied to take lead by a head in stretch, dueled past eighth pole and drew off to win by two lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf March 26.)

Danzip: Went right to the front, led by a length after a half-mile, drew off in stretch by 5 « lengths and cruised to 13 «-length victory under mild hand urging at six furlongs on Jan. 31; covered distance in 1:08 2/5. (Went to front, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to 2 « lengths in stretch and drew off under mild urging to win by five lengths at six furlongs on March 12.)

WOODBINE

Stormy Cruise: Raced more than three lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied six wide into stretch, made up more than two lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at five furlongs on April 2.

By Greg Melikovs