Horses to watch

Horses To Watch

Handicapper/racing writer Greg Melikov compiled this list of horses who should improve in their next outing.

BELMONT PARK

Bronxdale: Stumbled at start, bumped, dropped back to last, raced seventh more than 6 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, came wide into stretch, made up more than 2 ½ lengths and lost by a head on Sept. 23.

CALDER

Pitch a Penny: Broke on top, raced fourth early, dropped back steadily to last on far turn more than 4 ½ lengths behind after six furlongs, angled out six wide for drive, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and lost by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Sept. 22.

HAWTHORNE

Legs Diamond: Squeezed back to last at break, rushed up to 10th 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied from sixth in stretch to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and gained second by a length at six furlongs on Sept. 22; ran final quarter in 24 4/5.

LOUISIANA DOWNS

Third N Home: Raced eighth more than 11 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied along rail from fifth to make up nearly five lengths in stretch and lost by a nose and a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on a good surface Sept. 24.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Love Comes First: Broke alertly, led early, taken back to second two lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped back to fourth on far turn, came again outside in stretch, made up nearly three lengths and lost by a neck at 7 ½ furlongs on the turf Sept. 23.

RETAMA PARK

Bay Hero: Broke a bit awkwardly, moved up inside, steadied, blocked from seven-sixteenths pole to three-sixteenths marker, angled in and lost by a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at seven furlongs on Sept. 20.

WOODBINE

Poachers Moon: Raced ninth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, closed four wide on the turn from fifth, made up more than 4 ¼ lengths in stretch and lost by a nose and a head at a mile and 70 yards on Sept. 24.

Money Player: Broke last, trailed by 11 ½ lengths after a half-mile, angled from rail to four wide on turn, made up more than 5 ¼ lengths in stretch and was nosed out at seven furlongs on Sept. 23.