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Greg Melikov's Horses to Watch

By GREG MELIKOV

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should do well next time out or improve considerably, won eight races, ran second three times and finished third four times since June 21. These runners are worth considering no matter your thoroughbred betting choice or preferred racebook.

ARLINGTON PARK

Shades of Success: Broke 10th, dropped to 11th and last more than 13 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced between horses to fifth in stretch, closed fast to make up more than 5 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on July 18; ran final three furlongs in 37 4/5.

Gallo Del Bar: Raced fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, lacked room on far turn, lost ground turning for home, closed with a rush from sixth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf July 5.

So Busted: Raced 6 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, boxed in on far turn, angled out for drive, rallied to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/8 miles on a yielding turf course May 31. (Raced six lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, steadied on far turn, dropped to eighth, split horses when clear for drive and closed fast from sixth to win by 1 1/4 lengths at a mile on a good turf course June 21.)

Sole of the City: Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, moved four wide into stretch and finished third a half-length behind at six furlongs on June 27 at Prairie Meadows. (Raced third inside 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, split horses for the drive, advanced to second in stretch, but couldn't close gap and was beaten a half-length at six furlongs on July 16.)

Boots Are Walking: Tracked pace in fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, brushed rival advancing three wide into turn and rallied in stretch to win by a nose at five furlongs on the turf June 7; returned $12.80 on front end. (Stalked pace five wide in third more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile and closed fast in stretch to win by a nose at five furlongs on a good turf course July 2.)

CALDER

C Street: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than ninth lengths after a half-mile, swung outward midway on far turn, launched rally from heading home, forced to steady behind traffic in mid-stretch, altered course outward, recovered to make up 4 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 18; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 28 3/5.

Als Big Girl: Steadied early, tracked pace more than a length behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground going four wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 7 1/2 furlongs on a good turf course June 7.

Dancing Calling: Led by a half-length after a half-mile, edged away on far turn while going inside, turned back runner-up in stretch and won by 3 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on June 20. (Tracked pace in second 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside eighth pole to take lead and won by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 11; returned $13 on front end.)

DEL MAR

American's Friend: Broke sixth and last, trailed by more than four lengths after three-eighths of a mile, came out in stretch to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a nose at five furlongs on the turf July 18. (Tracked pace two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, came out in stretch, split rivals, gained lead in mid-stretch and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths at a mile on the turf July 25; returned $12.60 on the front end.)

Mama Luc: Broke 10th and last, trailed by 11 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, moved up along rail to fifth in stretch, made up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on July 16; ran final quarter in 22 1/5.

DELAWARE

Praderoso: Raced sixth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, blocked behind rivals into stretch, angled out four wide, closed fast to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 15.

Swear to It: Raced sixth and last 9 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside to third in stretch, closed well to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on July 2.

Big Easy: Raced eighth and last 7 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up five lengths and gained second by 2 1/4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on June 16. (Chased winner in second to stretch, weakened and finished third at 5 1/2 furlongs on a wet fast surface July 6.)

Blue Sailor: Accelerated to front, set pace slightly off rail, led by four lengths after three-eighths of a mile, increased margin through stretch and won by 8 1/2 lengths under a hand ride at five furlongs on the turf June 20 at Colonial Downs. (Raced more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, fanned five into stretch losing ground dropping to sixth and ran down leaders to win by a nose at five furlongs on the turf July 19; returned $12.80 on front end.)

ELLIS PARK

Copy Runner: Stumbled at start, raced eighth and last early, advanced to seventh more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out five wide for drive, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up 3 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a neck at six furlongs on July 16. (Tracked pace in third more than three lengths behind after a half-mile and rallied wide in stretch to gain second by three-quarters of length at six furlongs on July 26; returned $6.80 for place.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

Probation Please: Raced ninth and last more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up along rail leaving far turn into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on June 19. (Broke slowly, raced seventh and last more than 14 lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in deep stretch, rallied from fifth to make up three lengths and finished second by a length at 1 1/16 miles on July 10.)

Lit'sgoodlookngray: Pressed pace in third more than a length back after a half-mile, came off the rail in stretch and finished second by 2 1/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on June 14. (Prompted pace in third more than a length back after a half-mile, grabbed lead in stretch, inched clear and won by 1 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs on July 11.)

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Dragum: Raced seventh more than 5 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out for drive, finished willingly to make up 2 1/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by a head at a mile on the turf; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Cook's Nook: Raced 7 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed well between rivals in stretch to make up nearly 3 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a head and a nose at seven furlongs on July 4; ran final three furlongs in 37 seconds. (Pressed pace in third, advanced to second in stretch, weakened and finished third at six furlongs on July 24.)

Flat Out Fast: Stalked pace in third more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch, weakened and ran third at seven furlongs on July 3. (Pressed pace a head behind in third after a half-mile, attempted to rally in stretch, weakened and finished third by 11 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 27.)

Sligo Joe: Stalked pace three wide in third three lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch and won by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf June 27. (Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, dropped to sixth in stretch traffic and staged mild rally to finish third by 2 1/4 lengths at a mile on the turf July 20.)

MONMOUTH

Goodness Greatness: Bumped at break, raced more than 13 lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced three wide to third in stretch, made up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 13.

Grand Cinnabar: Raced nine lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, lost ground and position to seventh in stretch, closed fast inside to make up more than 7 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 3. (Bumped at break, raced 10th more than 9 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground into stretch, rallied from seventh and finished third by 1 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf July 17.)

J Z Warrior: Stalked leaders in third more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch and failed to threaten finishing third at seven furlongs on May 3 at Belmont. (Broke slowly sixth and last, grabbed lead early, led by two lengths after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by four lengths at six furlongs June 21.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Tough Gal: Broke ninth and last, trailed by more than 16 lengths after a half-mile, split rivals from seventh in stretch, rallied to make up more than six lengths and finished second beaten a length at a mile and 70 yards on July 15.

Westside Flyer: Dueled two wide early, lead by a half-length after a half-mile, shook loose by six lengths in upper stretch and cruised home handily to win by a dozen lengths in 1:09 2/5 handily at six furlongs on June 3.

SARATOGA

Bethpage Black: Broke from outside post, raced ninth early, steadied and bumped along backstretch, dropped to 10th more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced five wide between horses to seventh in stretch, closed fast to make up 3 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at a mile on the turf at Belmont Park July 4; moved up to second when winner was disqualified to fourth for interference.

Chobe: Raced fifth early, steadied, dropped to sixth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, entered stretch wide, closed willingly from fifth to make up more than 3 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a head at 1 1/16 miles on June 6 at Belmont. (Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, roused in upper stretch and won by a head at seven furlongs on a good turf course July 6 at Belmont.)