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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 eight times, ran second eight times and finished third five times since Sept. 13. These thoroughbreds are worth considering no matter your betting choice or preferred racebook.

BELMONT

Smart and Fancy: Shuffled back inside near turn, raced ninth and last more than seven lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up two lengths and finished second by a neck at five furlongs on a good turf course Sept. 27 at Philadelphia Park. (Raced five lengths behind in third after a half-mile, rallied in tandem with winner during stretch drive, made up nearly 1 1/2 lengths, led for a couple of jumps near wire and finished second nosed out at six furlongs on the inner turf Oct. 12.)

American Cruiser: Stalked pace three wide a head and a length back in third after a half-mile, rallied to draw clear by two lengths in stretch and prevailed by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a yielding turf course Sept. 12; returned $12.20 on the front end. (Raced 6 1/2 lengths behind in third after three-eighths of a mile, closed slowly in stretch nearing sixteenth pole and edged away to win by two lengths at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 14.)

Hard to Explain: 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 at Monmouth. (Raced 10th more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced wide to night in stretch and closed fast to finish second by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 4.)

CALDER

Super Whipper: Raced inside more than 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after three-eighths of a mile, angled outside winner in stretch, rallied to make up nearly four lengths and finished second beaten a head at 5 1/2 furlongs on a good surface Oct. 25.

Casa Mimaty: Raced third early, dropped to fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied on far turn losing several lengths, dropped to seventh and last, swung out for the drive, closed well from sixth to make up more than 2 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on a sealed sloppy surface Oct. 11.

Appealing Runner: Raced more than seven lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, swung wide for drive, rallied to make up more than four lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at six furlongs on Sept. 26. (Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than 3 3/4 lengths in stretch and finished third beaten 1 1/4 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 13.)

Silver Bayer: Raced more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch, made up 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a length at five furlongs on the turf Sept. 6. (Raced 4 1/2 lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied inside to gain second and finished in that position by two lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 18.)

Amazo'n: Raced eighth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide into stretch and finished third by 9 1/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 19. (Raced eighth more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out wide for drive and finished third at a mile and 70 yards on Oct. 20.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Masrawy: Broke a step slow 11th and next to last on rail, raced seven lengths behind in 10th after a half-mile, circled field five wide for drive, bumped repeatedly with rival entering stretch, continued with good energy from fifth, made up six lengths and finished third beaten a length at seven furlongs on Oct. 26.

Fort Apache Star: Raced eighth and last early, moved to sixth seven lengths behind after a half-mile, angled in saving ground for drive, split rivals in stretch from fifth, bumped with third-place finisher, made up 2 1/2 lengths and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 26.

DELAWARE

Etrain: Raced fourth early, dropped back to eighth and last through the turn, rallied from seventh in stretch and finish third beaten a neck for place at six furlongs on Oct. 20; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

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.

FAIRPLEX

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 third beaten less than a length at six furlongs on Aug. 14 at Del Mar. (Raced fifth early, took command by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile and drew off in stretch to win by four lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 13.)

FORT ERIE

East Face: Raced more than six lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, angled out in final furlong, rallied from fifth in stretch, made up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 10 at Woodbine. (Broke sixth and last, raced more than 1 1/2 lengths behind in fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile and finished third by 2 1/2 lengths at 6 1/2 furlongs on a sloppy surface Oct. 27.)

HAWTHORNE

Sky High Spirit: Raced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied through traffic from fifth in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Oct. 22.

Snoose Goose: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 6 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in sixth seven wide for the drive, exchanged brushes with winner several times, dropped to seventh in stretch and drifted out while closing fast to finished third beaten a neck and a head at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Oct. 11; ran final three furlongs in 37 2/5.

Bar Hoppin: Broke 12th and last, trailed by more than 7 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, rallied three wide into stretch to third, closed steadily to make up six lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 27; ran final quarter in 24 1/5. (Raced more than four lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung six wide into stretch, rallied from third to make up two lengths and won by three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on a good surface Oct. 24.)

KEENELAND

Dragum: Raced seventh and last more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted out for drive and rallied from fifth in stretch to gain third beaten a length at about 7 1/2 furlongs on a good turf course Sept. 12 at Louisiana Downs. (Raced sixth more than 2 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, came four wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 16.)

Gilded Memory: Raced eighth more than 8 1/2 lengths behind after a half mile, circle four wide into stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than five lengths and gained second by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf Aug. 14 at Ellis Park. (Raced 9 1/2 lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied to third in stretch and finished second by 3 1/4 lengths at seven furlongs on Oct. 16.)

LAUREL

Crack the Opus: Broke in air, rushed up inside to chase pace 4 1/2 lengths behind in second after a half-mile, eased out for drive, made up nearly three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on a sealed muddy track Oct. 25.

Rescigno: Raced seventh more than nine lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied six wide in stretch, closed willingly despite drifting wide, made up more than 3 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Oct. 10. (Broke 11th and last, trailed by more than 20 1/2 lengths after a half-mile, advanced between rivals to fifth in stretch, eased outside near sixteenth pole, made up 3 1/2 lengths and drove clear to win by a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Oct. 23; returned $12 on the front end.)

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 at Philadelphia Park. (Raced more than 4 1/2 lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out four wide for drive, rallied to take command nearing mid-stretch and won handily by 5 1/2 lengths at a mile on Sept. 20.)

MEADOWLANDS

Rise Up Singing: Pressed pace early, took command by a length after a half-mile, shook free in stretch and drew off to win by 5 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on a sealed muddy track on Sept. 6 at Monmouth. (Pressed pace early, grabbed lead by a length after a half-mile, dug in gamely in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Oct. 1.)

Big Easy: Trailed by more than four lengths after three-eighths of a mile, advanced to second in stretch, angled out and rallied to win by a head at five furlongs taken off the turf Sept. 13 at Philadelphia Park. (Raced more than five lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, angled out for the drive and rallied in stretch to gain third by 1 1/4 lengths at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 18.)

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Watta Warlock: Raced ninth early, rushed up to grab lead by a head after a half-mile, dropped back to seventh entering stretch, rallied wide to make up more than two lengths and gained third by a nose at six furlongs on Oct. 20.

Wildcattwentyfour: (Broke eighth and last, raced seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced wide to sixth in stretch and finished third at seven furlongs on Oct. 14. (Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch and finished third by a neck at 6 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 25.)

RETAMA PARK

Fiesta Margarita: Broke from the outside 10th post, raced 10th and last early, advanced to ninth more than 7 1/2 lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide to fourth in stretch, closed fast to make up 4 1/2 lengths and finished second nosed out at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 11.

Bill's Last Fling: Broke alertly from the outside 13th post, chased leader early in second, took lead by a length after a half-mile, drew clear in upper stretch and won by 6 1/2 lengths ridden out at six furlongs on Sept. 27.

Matt's Cajun Fire: Raced 5 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, lost ground going wide into stretch, finished willingly to make up more than 4 3/4 lengths and finished second beaten 1 1/4 lengths at six furlongs on Sept. 19. (Raced fifth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied three wide on far turn, grabbed lead in stretch and drew off to win by two lengths at a mile on Sept. 27.)

Waco Hug: Broke 10th and last, raced seventh more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out three wide for the drive, advanced to second in stretch, closed fast to drew off and won by two lengths at a mile on Oct. 10. (Broke seventh and last, trailed by eight lengths after a half-mile, rallied on far turn to grabbed lead, increased margin to six lengths in stretch and drew off ridden out to win by 12 1/4 lengths at a mile on Oct. 17.)

Ms Classic Seneca: Raced more than four lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced four wide for drive, steadied off heels of rivals inside quarter pole, rallied from sixth to make up more than 2 1/4 lengths in stretch and gained second by a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 6. (Raced fourth early, dropped to fifth more than 1 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, rallied four wide to second in upper stretch and won by a half-lengths at five furlongs on the turf Oct. 4: returned $12.20 on front end.)

TURF PARADISE

Dante's Gulch: Raced seven lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, made up 3 1/2 lengths and finished second by 3 1/4 lengths at a mile on Oct. 25.

Hills of Roses; Broke from the outside ninth post, raced fourth more than 4 1/2 lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, angled in during stretch run, rallied to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at five furlongs on Oct. 10. (Chased pace five lengths behind in second after three-eighths of a mile and rallied in stretch to win by a half-length at 5 1/2 furlongs on Oct. 26.)

WOODBINE

Tap Show: Raced more than nine lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, rallied between rivals in stretch from sixth to make up nearly 2 1/2 lengths and finished third beaten a length and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 19.

Splash of Gold: Raced seventh more than 2 1/2 lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, lost ground going wide into stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than 2 1/2 lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Sept. 27. (Raced 2 1/2 lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed outside rivals to second on far turn, gained lead by a head at sixteenth pole and was nipped at wire by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 13.)