Horses To Watch

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov won eight races since January 18th. Greg's weekly horse racing column can also always be found at VIP.com. Make sure to check it out as he is one of the best in the business.

Aqueduct

Gimme Getme: Roughed up between rivals after start, raced eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide entering stretch, rallied from sixth to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished fourth beaten less than 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 10.

Posted: Bumped after start, rushed up second along backstretch, steadied while racing green, dropped back to third two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to second in stretch, made up three lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 31.

Bold Mon: Bumped after start, steadied, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside into stretch, closed from fifth to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 27; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Nedjma: Bumped after start, dropped to last more than 14 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced along rail to fifth in stretch, made up more than 6 ½ lengths and lost by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 15.

Ghost Mountain: Tracked pace in third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside for the drive, steadied in upper stretch, altered course to outside, finished gamely to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on Jan. 12. (Tracked pace outside two lengths back after a half-mile, rallied to gain lead in stretch and drew clear by 3 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 31; returned $10.20 on the front end.)

Magic Momentum: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, steadied and shuffled back in traffic to seventh on far turn, rallied in stretch from fifth to make up nearly 5 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 7.

Unconcerned: Steadied after start, trailed by more than 4 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out in stretch and closed gamely from sixth beaten three-quarters of a length by stablemate at six furlongs on Dec. 30; entry paid $14 on the front end and $11 to place. (Raced sixth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to seventh angling out in upper stretch, closed fast to make up more than 3 ½ lengths and won by a nose at six furlong on Jan. 25.)

Fair Grounds

Wrzeszcz: Broke from outside post, trailed early, moved up to sixth more than six lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out turning for home, rallied from fifth to make up more than 3 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf Feb. 10.

Circle of Fire: Broke last, trailed by more than 11 ½ lengths after a half-mile, closed fast from sixth in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths and lost by three-quarters of length at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 2.

For Glory: Broke alertly, taken back to sixth early, inched up four wide to fourth four lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely in stretch to make up nearly four lengths and was nosed out at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 7; ran final quarter in 23 4/5.

Corwyn's Shark: Raced eighth more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch, made up 2 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ¼ lengths at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Dec. 10. (Raced more than 3 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground to sixth midway around far turn, swung out for drive, rallied from fourth in stretch and won by 1 ¼ lengths at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 18.)

Gulfstream Park

Hay Cheif: Broke slowly from outside post, raced ninth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to 10 th when blocked behind wall of foes leaving far turn, found room while advancing in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and lost by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Feb. 11.

Elninodemisojos: Hit gate at break, trailed early, raced sixth more than 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside to fourth in stretch, made up more than 3 ¼ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at a mile on Feb. 3.

Fearless Vision: Broke awkwardly, raced 10 th early, advanced to eighth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, closed from fifth to make up more than five lengths and lost by a length at six furlongs on Jan. 27; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Dream Rush: Raced third early, steadied behind leader on backstretch, boxed in around turn into stretch, angled out and lost by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Jan. 20; ran final quarter in 24 3/5. (Hustled to lead after breaking a step slow, set pace inside and drew off to win by 3 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 10.)

Big Bold Pace: Raced more than 2 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, forced to look for room in stretch, rallied outside, made up more than 1 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Jan. 7.

Laurel

Indy Pleaser: Raced 15 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside to fifth near mid-stretch, closed willingly to make up more than six lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 4.

Skip the Crowd: Bobbled breaking awkwardly, steadied in traffic entering first turn, advanced from sixth to third more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up to send inside 1 ½ lengths behind in stretch, hit rail after checking on heels of winner near sixteenth pole and held second by 2 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 25.

Slew City Light; Broke from outside post, raced 12 th more than 25 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide entering stretch, rallied from sixth to make up eight lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on Dec. 15.

Really Reilly: Raced fourth early, pressed pace on second turn, rallied late and lost by a half-length at six furlongs on a good surface Jan. 2 at Philadelphia Park. (Pressed pace a head back after a half-mile, circled leader entering stretch and drew off by 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 24.)

Oaklawn Park

Lighthouse Jim: Raced ninth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, roused late on far turn, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up two lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 10.

Sweetdownthelane: Broke slowly outward, raced seventh more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals heading home, bothered foe, made up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a head at six furlongs on Jan. 26. (Stalked pace in third more 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, took command from outside past furlong marker and drove clear by 2 ½ lengths at six furlongs on. Feb. 10)

Brighton Bull: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh six lengths behind after advanced six wide into stretch, rallied late and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 19.

Philadelphia Park

Speechifying: Raced fourth more than five lengths after a half-mile, launched bid off rail into far turn, bumped steadying into lane, bothered again at eighth pole dropping from third to fifth, recovered to third and lost by a neck and 1 ½ lengths at a mile on Feb. 4.

Afleet Deputy: Broke eighth, dropped to ninth after a quarter-mile, advanced to sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed willingly to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 6 ½ lengths on Jan. 23.

Call You Raise You: Broke in air, raced fifth 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, closed gamely from outside in fourth heading home, made up nearly three lengths and was nosed out at a mile and 70 yards on Jan. 20.

Lucky Memento: Raced fifth early just off rail, lost ground to sixth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed strongly from fourth in stretch to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at a mile on Dec. 17; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

Santa Anita

Tonkins: Raced fourth more than 2 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, split rivals into turn, lost ground to fifth in stretch, rallied outside to make up 2 ½ lengths and was nosed out at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 11.

Firebird Sweet: Broke last, trailed by more than 11 ½ lengths after six furlongs, rallied five wide from 12 th to seventh into stretch, closed gamely to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and lost by a head at 1 ¼ miles on the turf Jan. 13.

Blues Street: Broke next to last, raced ninth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide into stretch, closed willingly to make up more than five lengths and was nosed out at a mile on the turf Jan. 7;

ran final quarter in 23 3/5. (Raced seventh after a half-mile, came out three deep into stretch and rallied under urging to prevail by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Feb. 4.)

Hendrix: Raced three lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth after six furlongs, boxed in along rail from mid-stretch to sixteenth pole, came out late to close gamely, made up more than two lengths and finished third beaten 1 ½ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Dec. 31.

Big Jon: Raced eighth more than four lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch, rallied from fifth to make up nearly four lengths and lost by a head and a half-length at a mile on the turf Dec. 30.

Turfway Park

Poe Reef: Broke last, trailed early, advanced to ninth more than eighth lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied nearing three furlong marker, angled out for drive, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up 9 ¾ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 10.

Subtle Approach: Raced more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground to fifth angling out for drive, made up 2 ½ lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at a mile on Feb. 2.

Lickety Slick: Broke next to last, steadied nearing turn, raced ninth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out four wide for drive, closed well in stretch to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Jan. 27.

Classy Brute: Broke last, trailed by more than 9 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled out in seventh for drive, closed fast to make up 4 ½ lengths and lost by a neck at six furlongs on Jan. 20; ran final quarter in 24. (Raced four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide to second in stretch, wore down leader and won by a half-length at a mile on Feb. 1)

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