In this biweekly series, racing analyst Keeler Johnson shares promising horses from his handicapping watch list, reviewing runners who have recently caught his eye and previewing horses scheduled to run back in the near future.
Upcoming entries
Adeera
Flashy Churchill Downs debut winner Adeera completely misfired in her stakes debut, finishing fifth by a double-digit margin in Churchill’s Debutante. But the Steve Asmussen-trained juvenile since has breezed a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 at Ellis Park and might be capable of rebounding in Sunday’s eighth race at Ellis Park, the Ellis Park Debutante.
Apollo Ten
Apollo Ten has prevailed in three of his four starts on turf. Last time out, he led all the way to win the My Frenchman Stakes, sprinting about 5 1/2 furlongs at Monmouth Park. He shouldn’t be underestimated while sticking to the same distance and class level for Sunday’s eighth race at Saratoga, the Mahoney.
Carl Spackler
Carl Spackler has won three of his four starts at Saratoga, all against graded-stakes competition. He finished fast to take the Kelso (G3) last month, and with expected favorite Master of The Seas scratching from Sunday’s Fourstardave Handicap (G1), Carl Spackler looms as a key win threat in his Grade 1 debut.
Cogburn
Cogburn has been on fire this year, dominating deep fields in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) and Jaipur (G1). In the latter race, held over 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga, Cogburn won by 3 1/2 lengths in the North American record time of 59.80 seconds, earning a massive 111 Beyer Speed Figure. He’s an odds-on favorite to keep his win streak going while tackling the Jaipur course and distance in Saturday’s ninth race at Saratoga, the Troy (G2).
Getaway Car
Getaway Car opened a clear lead shortly after the start of his July 20 debut sprinting five furlongs against maiden special weight competition at Del Mar, and he widened his advantage from there to win easily by 3 1/4 lengths. The Bob Baffert-trained juvenile has the pedigree to stretch out in distance and should appreciate tackling six furlongs in Sunday’s third race at Del Mar, the Best Pal (G3).
Legend of Time
Legend of Time wasn’t helped by a slow pace when finishing third by 1 1/4 lengths in the Belmont Derby (G1) last time out. Two starts back, he launched a strong homestretch rally to defeat Belmont Derby runner-up White Palomino by a head in the Pennine Ridge (G2), so if Legend of Time gets a better pace setup in Sunday’s Saratoga Derby (G1), he’s eligible to rebound.
Moira
Speaking of pace-compromised horses, Moira wasn’t helped at all by a slow early-fast late race shape in the Diana (G1) at Saratoga last month, but she nevertheless gobbled up ground to finish second by three-quarters of a length. Whether she starts in Sunday’s Beverly D. (G2) or Saturday’s Canadian (G2), Moira will be tough to hold off if she gets a fair pace setup.
Nooni
Nooni was tons the best when debuting in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita two months ago, leading by daylight at every call to dominate by 9 1/2 lengths. She basically wasn’t urged at all down the homestretch and appeared to have more to offer, so this Baffert-trained juvenile filly looms as the horse to beat in Saturday’s Sorrento (G3) at Del Mar.
Owen Almighty
Owen Almighty made a nice impression when debuting in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, sticking close to the early pace before taking over to win by 3 1/2 lengths. He’s the 9-5 morning line favorite to win the Ellis Park Juvenile on Sunday, and if he brings his record to 2-for-2, a graded stakes could be next.
Saudi Crown
Saudi Crown disappointed when last seen in the March 30 Godolphin Mile (G2), finishing 12th. But he started 2024 with a 5 3/4-length romp in the Louisiana (G3) and a close third-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1), two encouraging performances. Last year’s Pennsylvania Derby (G1) hero is a formidable favorite in returning to North America and dropping sharply in class for Sunday’s fifth race at Ellis Park, the R. A. “Cowboy” Jones).
Star of Mystery
Hopefully Saturday’s Galway Stakes at Saratoga stays on turf and we get to see Star of Mystery in action. After recording top-three finishes against older male rivals in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) and Jaipur (G1), Star of Mystery conquered 3-year-old males in Saratoga’s Quick Call (G3), winning by 1 1/2 lengths with a flashy 106 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form. Facing fellow 3-year-old fillies in the 5 1/2-furlong Galway should make Star of Mystery mighty tough to defeat.
Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.
TarifaAfter winning the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) at Fair Ground, Tarifa disappointed as one of the favorites in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), racing off the pace throughout on her way to ninth place. Perhaps dropping down in class and cutting back to seven furlongs for Sunday’s ninth race at Ellis Park, the Audobon Oaks (post time 4:48 p.m.) can help this Brad Cox trainee rebound.Which horses do you have your eyes on?
