Horse Racing Preview - Melikov's Race Horses to Watch

Race 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 two races, finished second twice and ran third once since Sept. 2.

BELMONT PARK

Spurred: Broke next to last, raced sixth more than 12 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to seventh after six furlongs, came wide for the drive, worked his way through traffic in stretch from fifth, struck by rival jockey's whip, made up four lengths and finished third beaten a nose and a head at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf course Sept. 16; ran final three furlongs in 35 2/5.

CALDER

Mr. Guska: Bumped and checked between rivals at break, trailed by more than six lengths after three-eights of a mile, closed well from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished third beaten a length and a neck at five furlongs on the turf Sept. 16.

DELAWARE PARK

Whoyouknow: Raced fourth more than a length behind after three-eighths of a mile, boxed inside through the turn, angled to middle of track in upper stretch losing ground, gained slowly on winner making up 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at 5 ½ furlongs on Sept. 16.



LAUREL PARK

Gussie's Secret: Broke awkwardly, trailed by 13 lengths after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, closed well from fifth to make up seven lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at seven furlongs on Sept. 13.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Thermostatic: Broke next to last, trailed by more than six lengths after a half-mile, split foes rallying from to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up 2 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters a length at about a mile and 70 yards on the turf Sept. 16.

RETAMA PARK

Nukeladen: Broke last, raced eighth more than nine lengths behind after three-eighths of a mile, swung five wide in middle of turn, rallied from seventh in stretch to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a length at five furlongs on Sept. 15.

TURFWAY PARK

Chugwater: Trailed by more than 19 lengths after a half-mile, advanced to fifth in stretch, closed fast inside to make up 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on Sept. 16.

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