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 four times, finished second twice and ran third twice since April 7. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

ARLINGTON PARK

Jazz Odyssey: Swerved at start, tracked leaders along rail more than 3 « lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, started advancing on far turn and steadied midway in traffic, swung four wide in upper stretch, made up nearly 3 « lengths and finished second nosed out at a mile on the turf; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

AQUEDUCT

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.)ÿ

BELMONT

Royal Lord: Broke 10th and last, raced eighth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, lost some ground going to six path for drive, displayed good kick in stretch from sixth making up more than 4 ¬ lengths and gained second by 1 « lengths at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course April 30.

Chaysen Alex: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 « lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide for drive to gain third by a head at six furlongs on the inner track March 6 at Aqueduct. (Broke a bit slowly sixth and last, swung four wide into stretch and rallied from fourth to gain second by a neck at six furlongs on a sealed muddy surface on April 17 at Aqueduct.)ÿÿ

CALDER

Im With the Band: Broke 10th and last, advanced to eighth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, came five wide to fifth in stretch, closed well to make up 4 ? lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at 6 « furlongs on May 2.

Alpha Glitter: Raced three lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled inside for drive, shuffled back altering course three wide near eighth pole and gained place by two lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 25.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Tonto Fontenot: Raced 12th and last early, moved to 11th more than a dozen lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¬ lengths and gained second by a nose on April 30.

Forest Warfare: Sprinted to lead, drew clear by two lengths after a half-mile, increased margin to 12 lengths in stretch and cruised to the wire by six lengths ridden out at 1 1/16 miles on a sealed muddy surface April 24.

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 at Keeneland. (Stumbled at start, raced ninth and last more than 22 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung outside for drive, rallied from six in stretch to gain third by a half-length and finished third by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 30; returned $7.60 for show.)

EVANGELINE DOWNS

All Time: Chased pace 7 « lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, closed gap late in stretch making up three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 « furlongs on April 22.

I Fly: Raced seven lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on April 9.

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

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. (Bumped rival at break, chased pace three wide in second four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to take over lead leaving turn, drew clear in stretch and won by two lengths at a mile on April 15.)

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.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Bestdressed: Raced eighth and last more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for drive, closed willingly to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 7 « furlongs on April 24.

Go Forth North: Broke a bit slowly, raced sixth more than 4 « lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground after six furlongs, came out in stretch, rallied from fourth to make up nearly 2 « lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 23.

Rumble Along: Stalked pace inside 6 « lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, dropped to eighth after a mile, lacked room off heels of rival past the eighth pole and rallied to gain third by a half-length at 1 ¬ miles on the turf April 21.ÿÿ

LONE STAR PARK

Rice n Spice: Raced 4 « lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, waited for room inside behind rivals at top of stretch, rallied to make up more than 3 « lengths and finished second beaten a length at 7 « furlongs on the turf April 25.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

T. J. Highway: Raced seventh early, dropped to eighth 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, reduced gap to eight lengths by the six-furlong marker, rallied wide from fourth to make up nearly 2 « lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and a half-length at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface April 25; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Shives Success: Raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied outside in stretch to make up 2 ? lengths and gained second by a head at a mile and 70 yards on April 11.

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.

PIMLICO

Oh My Me My: Raced eighth more than 10 « lengths behind after half-mile, awaited room behind horses in mid-stretch, altered course to outside near sixteenth pole, closed under a hand ride making up more than four lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at five furlongs on the turf April 23.

Go Forth North: Raced more than 8 « lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, saved ground into stretch, swung out late in fourth, rallied to make up 4 ¬ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on April 22; ran final quarter in 23 seconds.

Robeys Choice: Raced more than 18 lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, moved up between rivals making up more than 9 « lengths after six furlongs, swung five wide entering stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 4 ¬ lengths and gained second by 1 ? lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 18.

WOODBINE

Signature Red: Hopped at start, raced fourth early, dropped to fifth three lengths behind after a half-mile, angled five wide losing ground for drive, rallied to make up 2 ¬ lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on April 23; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

Medidocihospisurg: Raced sixth and last more than 4 « lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide in stretch, made up 4 « lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on April 9. (Stalked pace early in third, dropped to fifth 3 « lengths behind after a half-mile, came four into stretch and rallied from fourth to gain second by a length at 6 « furlongs on April 30.)ÿ

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 Melikov