Greg Melikov

Greg Melikov, a native Chicagoan and retired South Florida newspaperman who resides in Greater San Antonio, has been handicapping and writing about thoroughbreds for decades. His articles and columns appear globally in print and online, including on his own site: www.horsingaround.info. He became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park. He can be contacted at gmelikov@satx.rr.com.

Recent Posts By Greg Melikov

Big Brown Faces Older Horses on Monmouth's Turf

The Monmouth Stakes on Saturday is all about one 3-year-old: Big Brown. The other horses in the 1 1/8 mile contest aren't exactly well known. The main challenge to the son of Boundary is the New Jersey track's turf course. Can the Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner duplicate his breathtaking 2-year-old debut on the grass a year ago at Saratoga? Big Brown broke his [read more...]

Best Laid Plans of Horse Lovers Often Miss the Boat

Every so often there's talk of resurrecting Hialeah Park, the crown jewel of South Florida racing for decades. But each time the dialogue fades to a whisper, and then disappears like the racetrack did seven years ago. The latest initiative warrants this warning first penned in 1785 by poet Robert Burns in his To a Mouse: The best-laid schemes o' mice an' [read more...]

Saratoga Spotlight Shines on Travers Contenders Galore

The 139th Travers should live up to past classics of the Midsummer Derby at Saratoga on Saturday. A nose separated the top two finishing 3-year-olds seven times from 1916 to '98, when Coronado's Quest held off Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop. There have been notable duels throughout the years, including '78 when Triple Crown champ Affirmed and Alydar clashed for the 10th [read more...]

Travers Could Attract Larger Field Than Usual

The 139th Travers Stakes could boast double-digit runners for the first time in 15 years since 1993 Kentucky Derby champ Sea Hero roared from the back of the pack to defeat 10 challengers. There could be that many 3-year-olds in the $1 million contest on Aug. 23. Winners of Triple Crown races the past 15 years have done well, winning seven [read more...]

It's Do or Retire for Big Brown in Haskell Invitational

Not long ago the expected field for the Haskell Invitational was six or seven. Now it appears there could be as many as eight or nine 3-year-olds going in Monmouth's Park premier race on Sunday. For some reason, Big Brown doesn't scare away the opposition. In fact, the fewest challengers that took on the son of Boundary were in the Belmont [read more...]

Haskell Field Takes Shape as Big Brown Looks Fit

The 141st Haskell Invitational field is beginning to take shape for the $1 million Grade 1 at 1 1/8 miles. Big Brown, working well for his comeback race at Monmouth Park since being eased in the Belmont Stakes, is among 33 nominees that include several likely challengers that didn't perform well in Triple Crown races. Big Brown has steadily improved while breezing [read more...]

Favorites Do Well in the Haskell Invitational

Favorites have performed splendidly in the Haskell Invitational, winning 10 of the past 14 years in Monmouth Park's premier stakes. Six consecutive favorites scored starting in 1994 when Holy Bull returned the lowest win payoff -- $2.40. In all, 18 post time choices haven't disappointed in the 40 races. Big Brown likely will be the odds-on choice in the $1 million [read more...]

Horsemen, Two Tracks End Battles, But War Isn't Over

Two tracks ended their fight with horsemen's groups assuring Calder an increase in simulcast revenue and allowing Ellis Park to race after it threatened to close. Obviously, the tracks gave in because they faced financial disaster. But the war between both sides is far from over. First, Ellis Park was on the verge of becoming the first casualty in [read more...]

Horse Racing Gets a Bad Rap Too Often

The Sport of Kings always gets a bad rap after a death on the racetrack. Criticism often comes from those that have no idea how the thoroughbred industry operates. The latest chapter in the blame game involves the unfortunate demise of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby after running a valiant second, then collapsing on the Churchill Downs main track and [read more...]

What's Next for Big Brown: Haskell or Travers

Theories are abound on why Big Brown finished ninth and last in the Belmont Stakes. They range from possible physical problems concerning the horse to the blame game involving the trainer and jockey. I believe 18th Century German physicist Georg Cristoph Lichtenberg had it right: "Some theories are good for nothing except to be argued." Since that fateful June 7 when Big [read more...]