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 three races, ran second six times and finished third five times since Feb. 1.

AQUEDUCT

Ommadon’s Frenzy: Raced greenly in seventh more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, lost ground advancing in traffic to sixth into stretch, closed fast when clear to make up more than 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 16.

FAIR GROUNDS

Doyline Bubba: Veered into third-place finisher leaving gate, trailed early, moved to eighth 9 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed late making up 5 ½ lengths in stretch and finished second beaten 1 ½ lengths at six furlongs on Feb. 18; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

GULFSTREAM PARK

Dynamalt: Raced eighth more than three lengths behind after a half-mile, lost several lengths launching five wide drive on far turn, closed steadily from sixth in stretch, made up more than three lengths and finished second beaten a nose at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Feb. 22.

LAUREL PARK

Honor Student: Broke a step slow, raced four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, lost several lengths trying to advance around far turn, angled out from rail for drive, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and finished third beaten a neck and a head at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 20.

OAKLAWN PARK

Splash of Bold: Broke 12th and last from post 11, trailed by more than 17 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced on outside to sixth in stretch, finished full of run to make up 10 ½ lengths and ran second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 15; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.PHILADELPHIA PARK

Froggy: Broke sharply, led by a length after three-eighths of a mile, widened advantage through stretch under steady handling and coasted to victory by 10 ½ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on Feb. 19.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Runaway Lil Bull: Broke slowly eighth and last, trailed by more than 7 ½ lengths after a half-mile, advanced five wide to fifth in stretch, made up nearly 4 ½ lengths and finished third beaten two necks at six furlongs on Feb. 22; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

SANTA ANITA

Last Black Lion: Raced more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced six wide to fifth in stretch, made up more than two lengths and finished second beaten a head at six furlongs on Feb. 20.

TURF PARADISE

Macho Irish: Raced outside more than four lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, finished gamely to make up 4 ½ lengths in stretch and ran second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 20; ran final quarter in 24 2/5.

TURFWAY PARK

Gambler’s Honour: Raced 11 lengths behind in eighth and last after a half-mile, advanced in the three path on far turn, angled out for drive, closed fast late from fourth in stretch to make up more than 6 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile on Feb. 22.