Photograph:
Candice Chavez/Eclipse Sportswire
On this biweekly sequence, racing analyst Keeler Johnson shares promising horses from his handicapping watch checklist, reviewing runners who’ve not too long ago caught his eye and previewing horses scheduled to run again within the close to future.
New to the Watch Listing
Made an amazing impression within the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland, chasing sizzling fractions of twenty-two.75 and 46.00 seconds earlier than pouncing to the entrance and drawing off to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Juju’s Map was the one velocity horse to crack the highest 4 in a race in any other case dominated by deep closers, a testomony to the power of her efficiency. The Brad Cox trainee is 2-for-2 in route races and looms as the primary challenger to Echo Zulu within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Catching up on an eye catching winner from Oct. 3, Sandstone was as spectacular as may very well be in a one-mile maiden particular weight at Churchill Downs, urgent splits of twenty-two.84 and 46.43 seconds earlier than taking command and powering clear to win by 9 lengths. The two-year-old daughter of Road Sense completed strongly, operating the ultimate two furlongs in 12.62 and 12.47 seconds, and I’m optimistic she will be able to develop right into a stakes-caliber filly for coach Kenny McPeek.
Slipstream had each excuse to lose the Futurity (G2) at Belmont after getting bumped in the beginning and shuffled again to final place whereas racing in visitors. However regardless of these obstacles, Slipstream unleashed a daring rail rally across the flip earlier than combating his manner between rivals to rise up and win by one size. His remaining time of 1:08.36 seconds for six furlongs was fast, and coach Christophe Clement has talked about the son of Extra Than Prepared as a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Current Watch Listing winners
Switching from grime to turf proved to be no impediment for Averly Jane within the Indian Summer time at Keeneland. The Wesley Ward-trained filly left little question about her superiority within the 5 1/2-furlong dash, dashing to the lead via fractions of 21.64 and 44.50 seconds earlier than pulling away to beat stablemate Kaufymaker by three lengths in 1:02.65 seconds. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Dash is unquestionably on the horizon for Averly Jane, a three-time stakes winner who’s undefeated and unchallenged in 4 begins.
He squared off in opposition to three rivals within the Grade Vosburgh (G2) at Belmont Park and had no hassle posting a convincing victory. The Todd Pletcher trainee dashed to the entrance via managed fractions of twenty-two.59 and 45.24 seconds, then sprinted residence properly (remaining two furlongs in 11.69 and 12.27 seconds) to win by 4 3/4 lengths underneath a hand journey. His remaining time of 1:09.20 for six furlongs was stable.
Shrugged off a disappointing journey to Europe to dominate Keeneland’s Woodford (G2) by 2 1/4 lengths. The speedy son of Uncle Mo carved out quick fractions of 21.51 and 44.53 seconds, then turned again a problem from Firecrow to kick clear down the homestretch and full the 5 1/2-furlong dash in 1:03.12 seconds, reiterating his standing as a key Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash contender.
Capitalized on a fast tempo to rally and win the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland in decisive trend. Unleashing a sudden burst of acceleration across the far flip, Rattle N Roll blew previous the leaders earlier than surging clear to win the 1 1/16-mile occasion by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:43.78. This Kenny McPeek trainee is creating right into a promising participant for the 2022 Kentucky Derby, with the Kentucky Jockey Membership (G2) at Churchill Downs looming as a probable autumn goal.
You must admire the adversity Tiz the Bomb overcame to win Keeneland’s Bourbon (G2). Regardless of breaking via the gate and operating off pre-race, the Kenny McPeek-trained colt confirmed no indicators of a diminished efficiency, settling a number of lengths off the early tempo earlier than rallying gamely to win by three-quarters of a size. Tiz the Bomb completed quick over course to finish 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.69, cementing his standing as a logical stateside contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Price one other attempt
Ran strongly within the Phoenix (G2) on opening day at Keeneland, gaining 2 1/4 lengths via the ultimate furlong to fall a neck wanting catching 6-5 favourite Particular Reserve. Contemplating the son of Onerous Spun was sprinting solely six furlongs (arguably a furlong shorter than his finest), this was an encouraging effort. I’m optimistic Aloha West quickly will nab a graded win of his personal.
Though Penny Saver weakened to complete seventh within the Alcibiades, she was overwhelmed just one 3/4 lengths for second place regardless of enduring a difficult journey. The daughter of Tremendous Saver was hung very large across the first flip earlier than launching a significant rally across the far flip to succeed in competition. The truth that she flattened out late could be seen as a testomony to how exhausting she ran through the first seven furlongs.
Off the Watch Listing
• Child Yoda
• Nice Escape
• Sir Alfred James
Right here is my full, up to date checklist of Horses to Watch.
