Horse Racing Betting - Horses to Watch

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 seven races, ran second 11 times and finished third four times since Nov. 24.

AQUEDUCT

Kat’s Mystery: Bumped after break, trailed early, advanced from ninth to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch losing ground, closed well to make up 7 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and three-quarters of a length at six furlongs on Jan. 6.

FAIR GROUNDS

Hallway: Raced eighth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied before drive, lost ground, awaited room in stretch, closed determinedly from seventh to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about a mile on the turf Jan. 5.

Artistic Escape: Broke next to last from outside post, raced more than 9 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied wide to fifth in stretch, made up nearly five lengths and finished second beaten a nose at about a mile on the turf Dec. 14.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Identical: Raced fifth more than 1 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased outside leaders leaving turn, lost ground, rallied later to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nose at a mile on Jan. 3.

HAWTHORNE

Fandermonium: Raced six lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, advanced to third in stretch, closed with a rush to make up nearly 3 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a nosed at six furlongs on Jan. 4; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.LAUREL PARK

Preminger: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, swung to five path in upper stretch, rallied from fifth to make up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Jan. 5.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Premium Saltine: Raced 2 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, rallied to make up more than 2 ¾ lengths in stretch and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on a good surface Dec. 24.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Susies Cameo Girl: Jostled at start, raced third early, dropped to fourth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted three wide midway through far turn, rallied to make up 3 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a length at a mile on Jan. 5.

Honor Jones: Raced 8 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, went four wide on far turn, closed well to fourth in stretch, made up 3 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 16.

SANTA ANITA

Unbidable: Raced outside between rivals early in eighth, moved closer to rail in fifth six lengths behind after a half-mile, forced out some into turn, came three deep into stretch, rallied to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at six furlongs on Jan. 4; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

Your Quote: Broke next to last, in tight early in sixth, dropped to seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, raced four wide leaving backstretch, came three deep into stretch losing ground, rallied to make up more than four lengths and finished third beaten two lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 28.

TURFWAY PARK

Budge Man: Broke last, raced eighth more than 10 lengths behind after a half-mile, split rivals late on far turn to reach sixth, angled out for drive, closed fast from fourth to make up seven lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at a mile on Jan. 5.

Allegiance: Raced seventh more than 9 ½ lengths behind in seventh after three-eighths of a mile, altered course to outside in mid-stretch, and closed fast late to make up 6 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten 1 ¼ lengths and a head at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 26.

TURF PARADISE

Moody Rythum: Broke next to last, raced 10th more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into the lane, made up more than 2 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished well to gain second by four lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on Dec. 27.

Skycloud: Broke outward, bumped at start, gained late in stretch and finished dead-heated for second beaten 1 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Dec. 15.