Horses To Follow - January '06
Horses worth watching in January '06, compiled by handicapper/turf writer G. Melikov - in conjunction with VIP.
SANTA ANITA
Seastate: Hopped at start, raced 10th of rail more than 7.5 lengths back after a half-mile, came three deep into stretch in sixth, steadied at sixteenth pole and lost second by a half length at 6.5 furlongs on the turf. Jan. 7.
Notre Dame: Off a bit slowly, raced sixth off rail 6.5 lengths back after a half-mile, came out in stretch, closed willingly from fourth to make up two lengths and was nosed out at 6.5 furlongs on Jan. 5.
Lil Mitch: Broke next to last, inched up to ninth more than 13.5 lengths back after a half-mile, saved ground advancing on far turn, closed gamely four wide from fifth in stretch, made up more than 4.5 lengths and lost by two necks at a mile on the turf Dec. 30.
AQUEDUCT
Keep Your Day Job: Chased pace in eighth more than 13 lengths back after a three-eighths of a mile, moved up three wide entering stretch, made up 7 ¾ lengths and lost by 1 ¾ lengths at 5.5 furlongs on a muddy surface Jan. 1.
Wheaton's Aly; Steadied at start, trailed early, raced fifth more than 4.5 lengths back after a half-mile, encountered traffic in stretch and slipped through to gain third by 1 ¾ lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 18.
Two Deals Pending: Dwelt at start, spotted field several lengths, trailed by 15.5 lengths after a half-mile, came wide into lane, rallied to second in stretch and couldn't catch winner, but gained second by five lengths at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 15.
Harborage: Raced seventh more than 12.5 lengths back after a half-mile, rallied entering stretch, finished gamely while traveling erratically making up more than 3.5 lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on a good surface Dec. 10.
Initially: Tracked pace in sixth more than 2.5 lengths back after a half-mile, advanced to fourth but lost ground outside after six furlongs, rallied to make up 2.5 lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 3.
Big Apple Daddy: Raced fourth, dropped to fifth 5.5 lengths back after a half-mile, advanced between rivals, rallied from fourth in stretch making 3.5 lengths and gained second by a head at six furlongs on Nov. 26. (Rated in three path 1.5 links back leader after a half-mile, advanced on turn, ran down runner-up in stretch and drew clear by 1 ¾ lengths running the final quarter of the six furlongs in 22 4/5 on Feb. 7.)
Head Of the Charles: Raced sixth more than six lengths back after a half-mile, came wide for drive, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up 2.5 lengths and lost by a head at a mile on Nov. 20.
Jazil: Raced 10th early, dropped back to 11th more than 15.5 lengths back after a half-mile, altered course in stretch, rallied from sixth to make up more than 3.5 lengths and was nosed out at seven furlongs on Nov. 12. (Trailed early, inched up to fifth six lengths back after a half-mile, came wide into stretch and closed fast to prevail by a head at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 8.)
FAIR GROUNDS
Coach Que: Raced toward rail more than eight lengths back after a half-mile, roused for drive in fourth, closed well to make up 4.5 lengths
In stretch and lost by 1.5 lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 5.
Venomous: Pressed pace from onset leaving chute, raced second only a half-length back after a half-mile, rallied three wide leaving turn, gained slight advantage entering stretch and held runner-up safe by a half-length at seven furlongs on Dec. 9. (Broke alertly, dueled with runner-up from the quarter pole to upper stretch and drew clear by 1 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on Jan. 6.)
Hay Daisy: Raced third early, dropped back to fourth more than 5.5 lengths back after three-eighths of a mile, rallied four wide off turn, made up 3 ¾ lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at 5.5 furlongs on Dec. 3.
TURFWAY PARK
Lovetheprospect: Bumped at break, dropped back, raced six lengths back in fifth after a half-mile, rallied four wide in fourth in stretch, made up four lengths and gained second by a nose at 6.5 furlongs on Jan. 8.
Kissinleaf: Broke ninth, inched up to eighth more than 8.5 lengths back after a half-mile, launched rally six wide at three-eighths pole, made up nearly 5.5 lengths in stretch and lost by a head at six furlongs on Dec. 29.
Moonshine Hall: Raced 11 lengths back in sixth after a half-mile, rallied around turn to make up nearly four lengths in stretch and lost by a neck at a mile on Dec. 3.
LAUREL PARK
Charming Jim: Raced seventh more than 12 lengths back after a half-mile, trapped back horses entering stretch, swung out mid-stretch, rallied from fourth to make up more than four lengths and gained second by a head at 5.5 furlongs on Jan. 8.
Shelooklikeyolonda: Tracked pace more than 3.5 lengths in fourth after a half-mile, saved ground for the drive, closed gamely to second in stretch making up nearly 1.5 lengths despite rider losing whip near eighth pole and lost by a neck at seven furlongs on Jan. 2.
Hello Jerry: Raced sixth early, dropped back to seventh more than 4.5 lengths back after a half-mile, rallied on turn, steadied in narrow quarters advancing from fifth in upper stretch, made up more than 2.5 lengths after finding room and lost by two lengths at six furlongs on Dec. 18. (Raced sixth early, dropped back to eighth more than 10.5 lengths after a half-mile, swung to six path in stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a length at seven furlongs on Jan. 6.)
New Meadows: Raced seventh more than seven lengths back after a half-mile, swung five wide entering stretch, made up nearly six lengths and lost by a head at six furlongs on Nov. 24. (Raced ninth early, inched up to seventh six lengths back after a half-mile, slipped through along rail in upper stretch, gained a length advantage in mid-stretch, weakened and held on for second by a length at seven furlongs on Dec. 10; returned $8.40 for place.)
PHILADELPHIA PARK
Lucky S. Lorenti: Raced fifth early, dropped back to seventh 6.5 lengths back after a half-mile, inched up to fourth for drive, swung out entering stretch, made up 2 ¼ lengths and gained second by a half length at a mile and 70 yards on a muddy track Jan. 4.
Golden Casting: Raced wide seven lengths back after three-eighths of a mile, closed well to make up more than 4.5 lengths in stretch and lost by a half-length at five furlongs on Nov. 14.
GULSTREAM
Hotstufanthensome: Tracked pace 1.5 lengths back in fourth after a half-mile, edged up to third after six furlongs, lost ground three wide entering stretch, rallied from fourth to make up 1.5 lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 8.
War Front: Pressed pace along rail early, dropped back from second to fourth when caught in tight quarters 1.5 lengths back after a half-mile, angled out for drive, closed very fast running final quarter of six furlongs in 22 3/5, made up nearly 2.5 lengths and lost by a neck on Jan. 7.
Devil's Preacher: Stalked pace in fifth more than 3.5 lengths back after a half-mile, boxed in on turn, stumbled and steadied in upper stretch, angled out to close gamely between horses, made up more than two lengths and lost by a neck at 1 1/16 miles on the turf Jan. 4.
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