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 four races, ran second seven times and finished third four times since Dec. 3.

AQUEDUCT

Double Down Vinman: Bumped after break, raced seventh early, advanced to fourth more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside to make up more than 4 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on a sealed sloppy surface Jan. 11; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

FAIR GROUNDS

Rose Medallion: Broke last, trailed in eighth by 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came inside around far turn, closed determinedly from sixth outside to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at about 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 6.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Colorful Judgement: Checked in tight quarters breaking last in tight quarters at start, raced 10th more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, closed well from fourth in stretch to make up more than 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 10.

Universe: Stalked pace three wide two lengths behind in third after a half-mile, lost ground to fourth in stretch, rallied wide to make up two lengths and finished third beaten a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 9.Lady Byar: Trailed in eighth more than 11 lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in stretch from fifth, finished full of run to make up 5 ½ lengths and ran second beaten a nose at seven furlongs on Jan. 9; ran final three furlongs in 36 3/8.

LAUREL PARK

Imperturbable: Broke last, advanced to ninth more than 12 lengths behind after a half-mile, swung very wide in mid-stretch, rallied from seventh to up more than 5 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a length at seven furlongs on Jan. 10; ran final eighth in 12 4/5.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Frenchburg: Broke from outside post, raced more than six lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced to fourth along rail in stretch, closed to make up nearly 4 ½ length and finished third beaten a head and a neck at 6 ½ furlongs on Jan. 8.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Nasheet: Jostled with third-place finisher at start, raced three wide into first turn, was more than three lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, closed well to make up three lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on the turf Jan. 6.

SANTA ANITA

Mostacolli Mort: Stalked pace inside four lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, came out in upper stretch to make up more than 1 ½ lengths and finished willingly to run second beaten a nose at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Jan. 11.

Adarlyn Cat: Broke from outside 12 post, raced more than 7 ½ lengths behind in ninth after three-eighth of a mile, steadied in tight entering turn, came three deep to eighth in stretch, angled out, closed gamely to make up 4 ¾ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 5 ½ furlongs Jan. 10.

TURFWAY PARK

Clearly Best: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 10 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced from fifth three wide on far turn to third in stretch, made up 4 ½ lengths and closed willingly to finish second beaten two lengths at a mile on Jan. 10.