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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 or improve significantly next time out, won three races, ran second five times and finished third three times since July 17. These thoroughbreds are worth considering no matter your betting choice or preferred racebook.

ARLINGTON PARK

Heza Flamer: Broke outward, raced more than 13 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied six wide to make up 6 1/2 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Aug. 30.

Eve's Apple: Broke a step slow, raced eighth and last more than 9 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, made up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 29; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Afleet Deceit: Stumbled after start, dropped to fifth more than 11 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled out off turn, moved to third in stretch, closed fast to make up more than 8 3/4 lengths and ran second beaten a nose at five furlongs on Aug. 14.

Roadster: Raced more than nine lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, swung wide for the drive, rallied to make up 4 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a nose and 1 1/4 lengths at a mile on the turf Aug. 2; ran final quarter in 23 4/5. (Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in third after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch, weakened and finished third at 1 1/16 miles off the turf Aug. 28.)

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.

CALDER

Amazo'n: Raced more than 11 1/2 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, advanced outside to fifth in stretch, closed to make up 4 1/4 lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a neck at a mile and 70 yards on a wet fast surface Aug. 29.

Tidal Dance: Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, angled three wide on far turn, took over in stretch, drew off and won by 13 lengths under a hand ride at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 28; disqualified for impeding rivals on first turn and placed fourth.

Jet Prop: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out for stretch run, rallied from third to make up 3 1/4 lengths and gained second by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Aug. 16.

Fortunate Buy: Raced four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, staged mild rally in stretch and finished third by a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 17. (Chased winner 2 1/2 lengths behind in second after three-eighths of a mile, rallied in stretch to make up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 28.)

DEL MAR

Tahoe Kid: Bumped at break, chased three deep more than 1 1/2 lengths in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth in stretch, split rivals, made up two lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Aug. 14.

Gold Aly: Raced eighth more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, came out five wide for drive and rallied to make up more than seven lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Aug. 2

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

Irish Chestnut: Broke ninth and last, moved to eighth more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced outside rivals to sixth in stretch, finished willingly to make up 4 1/2 lengths and ran third beaten two necks at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 10.

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.

LAUREL PARK

Pride of Seattle: Raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, eased out to four path near quarter pole, rallied in stretch to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf Aug. 14.

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Wise Charge: Raced more than a length behind after three-eighths of a mile, lost ground to fourth coming wide out of the turn, made up 4 1/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by a length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 24.

Cajun Conquest: Raced 10 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, dropped to 10th and last after six furlongs, rallied late in tight quarters from eighth in stretch, made up more than four lengths through traffic and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 14; ran final 2 1/2 furlongs in 29 seconds.

Regent Rules: Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, began steady advance into stretch to third, made up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 1. (Sprinted clear, led by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, increases margin to five lengths in stretch and won by 1 1/2 lengths at 1 1/16 miles taken off turf Aug. 22.)

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. (Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied four wide to third in stretch and closed with good energy to win by 1 1/4 lengths at a mile on the turf Aug. 10.)

Flat Out Fast: Tracked pace in fifth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide through turn, grabbed lead in stretch and kicked clear winning by four lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 14. (Raced more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide out of turn, rallied from fourth in stretch and gained second by 1 1/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 1.)

MONMOUTH

Finance Master: Pinched back to 10th and last at break, raced ninth more than nine lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, closed willingly from fifth in stretch, bumped with rival, recovered to make up nearly 4 3/4 lengths and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths and a nose at six furlongs on Aug. 29.

Stamp: Broke slowly, advanced inside to fifth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, awaited room behind rivals from the quarter pole to stretch losing ground another in fourth to more than three lengths back in traffic and finished third beaten two lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 17.

Hard to Explain: Steadied at start, raced inside 4 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, forced to check behind rival at eighth pole, altered course to outside, recovered when clear, made up nearly two lengths despite brushing with winner finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course Aug. 16 at Saratoga. (Raced more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, moved to second in stretch, rallied between rivals and prevailed by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Sept. 1.)

Rise Up Singing: Raced more than 7 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in upper stretch from fifth, finished well making up 4 3/4 lengths and ran second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Aug. 14.

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 at Philadelphia. (Raced more than 6 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out leaving the quarter pole, advanced to third in stretch and finished second by 5 3/4 lengths at a mile on Aug. 4 at Philadelphia; returned $8.80 to place.)

Staid: Raced sixth more than 3 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, launched three wide bid on turn, advanced to third in stretch, made up 2 3/4 lengths and finished second by 2 3/4 lengths at six furlongs on July 31.

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 at 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.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Absolved: Raced 3 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after three-eighths of a mile, closed well in final furlong, made up two lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 25.

Wood Alley: Broke 10th and last, advanced to fifth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, took over into the lane, drew off in stretch with singled tap of the whip and won by 11 1/4 lengths at seven furlongs on Aug. 9.

Big Easy: Chased winner in second to stretch, weakened and finished third at 5 1/2 furlongs on a wet fast surface July 6 at Delaware. (Pressed pace in third a length and a head behind after a half-mile, advanced to second in stretch, closed fast and won by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 2.)

RETAMA PARK

City Academy: Carried in at start, raced 10th and last early, advanced to ninth more than six lengths back after three-eighths of a mile, steadied when blocked entering final furlong, rallied from seventh to make up 5 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished second by a nose on Aug. 30.

Every Three Days: Bumped at break, raced 10 lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, went wide on turn, rallied to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Aug. 29; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

SARATOGA

Love for a Price: Came in a bit at break, steadied between rivals in traffic on first turn, raced ninth and last more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, launched rally at quarter pole, altered course outside at three-sixteenths pole, made up more than 4 1/4 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on a good turf course Aug. 16. (Raced more than five lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile and finished third at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Aug. 31.)

TIMONIUM

Swear to It: Raced sixth and last more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to fourth in stretch and gained second by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards at Delaware on Aug. 20. (Raced seventh and last 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced three wide on final turn, rallied from fourth in stretch and gained second by a nose at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 30.)