Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov have won three times and finished second three times since April 27.

ARLINGTON PARK

Indian Moonshine: Raced eight lengths behind in six after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up five lengths, and lost by a neck at 1 1/8 miles on May 19.

African Sunrise: Raced four wide more than 1 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, rallied in stretch after losing ground, made up more than 2 ½ lengths, and lost by a neck at six furlongs on May 12.

BELMONT

Sterwins: Chased pace four wide 9 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, dropped back on turn, came again in stretch, made up 6 ¾ lengths, and lost by three-quarters of length at six furlongs on May 20; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

Pennyrile: Raced fourth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to third, making up more than 4 ¼ lengths, and was nosed out at six furlongs on May 11; ran final quarter in 24 1/5.

CALDER

Lord Abounding: Raced 2 ½ lengths back in fifth after a half-mile, steadied in traffic leaving turn, angled for room in stretch, made up 2 ¾ lengths, and lost by three-quarters of a length at five furlongs on the grass May 20.

Staria: Steadied at start, checked early, raced more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied four wide in stretch, made up more than four lengths, and lost by a head at a mile on the turf April 30.

Fortunate Code: Bumped at break, raced 10th early, advanced to fifth eight lengths behind after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, rallied from fourth to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths, and lost by a head at six furlongs on April 25. (Chased runner-up from onset, wore down rival in stretch, and won by a length at seven furlongs on May 12.)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Lord Lovat: Broke sluggishly, bumped rival, raced eighth more than eight lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced along rail on turn, eased out between foes four wide for drive, rallied from fourth to make up 4 ¼ lengths in stretch, and gained second by a neck at six furlongs on May 21.

Handlewoman: Broke in air, landed badly to trail early, raced ninth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after three-sixteenths of a mile, raced near hedge around turn, angled out eight wide into lane, bumped late by winner, made up more than two lengths, and lost by a length at five furlongs on the turf May 13.

Kin to the Wind: Stumbled after start, trailed early, raced ninth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced to seventh on far turn, gained more than 2 ¾ lengths in stretch, and lost by three-quarters of a length and a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf March 26 at Gulfstream Park. (Sluggish at start, settled in seventh after a half-mile, edged up between rival on far turn, awaited room at quarter mile, angled out five wide in stretch, and drew clear by 1 ¾ lengths at a mile on the grass May 10.)

HOLLYWOOD PARK

New Joysey Jeff: Stalked pace in second from onset a bit off rail, put a head in front three deep in mid-stretch, rider lost whip past sixteenth pole, and was beaten by three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf May 21.

Iza General: Raced in fifth between horses more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came out in stretch, made up three lengths, and lost by a head at six furlongs, running the final quarter in 24 1/5 on May 12.

Midnighter: Chased paced more than five lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, split rivals twice on turn, came out wide, bumping with winner in mid-stretch, made up 2 ½ lengths, and lost by a head at seven furlongs on April 2 at Santa Anita. (Broke slowly, trailed inside by more than five lengths after a half-mile, advanced four wide off turn, drifted in a bit in stretch, and gained second by 4 ½ lengths at seven furlongs on April 27.)

INDIANA DOWNS

Buster Bailey: Raced fourth after a half-mile, saved ground into the lane, angled out in stretch, caught leader inside sixteenth pole, and drew clear by two lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 8. (Raced fifth early, dropped back sixth inside six lengths behind after a half-mile, angled to mid-track for drive, finished second full of run, making up 3 ½ lengths in stretch, and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf May 20.

LOUISANNA DOWNS

Shezacommander: Trailed early, inched up to eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, slipped through along rail in stretch, angled out late to make up more than 5 ¼ lengths, and gained second by a half-length at seven furlongs on May 14.

MONMOUTH

Slews Enough: Pinched back, bumped at break, trailed early, inched up to seventh more than seven lengths behind after a half-mile, came three wide into stretch, rallying from fourth to make up more than 2 ½ lengths, and gained second by 3 ½ lengths at six furlongs on May 13. 

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Arabian Cat: Raced second early inside, dropped back 6 ½ lengths behind to third after a half-mile, came again late outside to make up four lengths, and lost by a half-length at 5 ½ furlongs on May 20.

Letrado: Raced fifth early, dropped back to sixth more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, advanced wide on far turn, rallied from third to make up 2 ½ lengths in stretch, and lost by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on May 13.

Sans Win: Raced fourth more than 5 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up five lengths, and gained second by 5 ½ lengths at 6 ½ furlongs on April 23. (Raced third early, dropped back to fourth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied in stretch to make up 2 ¼ lengths, and gained second by 1 ¼ lengths at 5 ½ furlongs on May 15.)

Sign Post: Didn't break alertly, raced sixth early, advanced to fifth more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied inside into stretch, closed gamely from fourth to second, making up two lengths, and lost by a length at 5 ½ furlongs on April 11. (Pressed pace early, led by a half-length after a half-mile, took command in stretch, and won by three lengths at six furlongs on May 6.)

Imachadancer: Raced sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to fourth in stretch, closed well to make up 5 ½ lengths, and lost by a length at six furlongs on a sloppy surface April 8.

PIMLICO

Liso Y Sedoso: Jostled at break, recovered to race seventh after a quarter-mile, steadied between rivals in tight 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, angled out in upper stretch, and rallied to gain second by a nose at six furlongs on May 19.

I've Got Speed: Raced 5 ½ lengths behind in fourth after a half-mile, dropped back to fifth after six furlongs, rallied outside winner in stretch to make up more than 4 ¾ lengths, and lost by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a good surface May 13.

Grand Lucenci: Broke last, raced 10th more than 15 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, shifted out eight wide in lane, closed willingly from ninth to make up nine lengths in stretch, and gained place by a neck, running the final quarter of six furlongs in 23 seconds on April 30.