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 five times, finished second twice and ran third twice since March 12. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

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

Chaysen Alex: 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. (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.)ÿÿ

CALDER

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.

EVANGELINE DOWNS

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

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

KEENELAND

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. (Raced more than 11 « lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed fast to make up 2 « lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on April 23.)ÿ

LONE STAR PARK

Onacat: Raced sixth early, lost ground on first turn, dropped to eighth more than 8 « lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied and blocked at top of stretch to the eighth pole, moved inside, made up more than two lengths, dueled and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 10.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

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

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.

SUNRAY PARK

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 at Turf Paradise.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Call Me Sir:ÿ Raced ninth early, slow to settle, advanced to seventh more than 8 « lengths behind after a half-mile, closed fast from outside to make up 5 ¬ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on April 16.

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.

TURF PARADISE

Bold Defense: Raced more than four lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, went six wide for the drive, rallied in stretch from sixth and finished third beaten a head and three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on April 23.

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

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.

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.