Horses to Watch: 10 in action include Derby, Oaks prospects

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Awesome Road

Awesome Road impressed in his debut sprinting at Keeneland, trouncing future Bob Hope (G3) runner-up Stronghold by 2 3/4 lengths. The Brad Cox trainee subsequently ran way below form when seventh in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), but fast workouts since then suggest Awesome Road can bounce back in Saturday’s 11th race at Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) with post time at 5:48 p.m. EST.

Booth

Booth was much the best in his debut sprinting six furlongs at Churchill Downs, leading all the way to beat next-out winner Nash by 5 1/4 lengths. The flashy 98 Brisnet Speed rating Booth received stamps him as the horse to beat while tackling 6 1/2 furlongs in Saturday’s ninth race at Churchill Downs, the Ed Brown (post time 4:48 p.m. EST).

Durante

The red-hot Durante has won five of his last six starts and was much the best in the Bold Ruler (G3) at Belmont at the Big A last time out, leading all the way to beat the Grade 1-placed High Oak by 2 3/4 lengths. A repeat of that performance will make Durante formidable in Saturday’s third race at Aqueduct, the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) at 1:18 p.m. EST.

First Mission

Promising 3-year-old First Mission beat a deep field, including Arabian Lion and Disarm, when taking the Lexington (G3) during the spring. The Brad Cox trainee recently shrugged off a slow pace, traffic and an injury-induced layoff to win an $80,000 allowance optional claimer at Keeneland, stamping First Mission as a serious contender in Friday’s 11th race at Churchill Downs, the Clark (G2), with post time scheduled for 5:48 p.m. EST.

Giant Mischief

After a couple of failed attempts to stretch out in distance, Giant Mischief cut back to six furlongs for a $125,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs two months ago and scored by an easy 2 3/4 lengths, bringing his record sprinting to a perfect 3-for-3. Whether he starts in Saturday’s sixth race at Laurel Park, the seven-furlong City of Laurel (post time 3:00 p.m. EDT) or Sunday’s 10th race at Churchill Downs, a seven-furlong $100,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 5:18 p.m. EST), Giant Mischief has to be viewed as a win threat.

Mystik Dan

Mystik Dan finished second in his debut, then unleashed a powerful turn-of-foot to dominate a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs by 7 3/4 lengths. The Kenny McPeek trainee owns strong Brisnet speed ratings and will be formidable if he repeats his maiden performance while stretching out over one mile in Saturday’s seventh race at Churchill Downs, a $100,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 3:49 p.m. EST).

Risk It

A gate-to-wire debut winner sprinting seven furlongs at Saratoga, Risk It joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a runner-up finish in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. Risk It chased a hot pace that day and is eligible to factor again in the Kentucky Jockey Club, especially if the pace is more controlled.

Saratoga Secret

Saratoga Secret trounced her debut sprinting at Ellis Park by three lengths, then stepped up in class to finish second in Saratoga’s Schuylerville (G3). The daughter of Arrogate has been freshened since July and can’t be counted out of the mix while dropping in class for Saturday’s 12th race at Churchill Downs, the Fern Creek (post time 6:18 p.m. EST).

Tarifa

Tarifa was much the best in her debut dashing about seven furlongs at Keeneland, sweeping from just off the pace to dominate by six lengths in a quick time. The daughter of Bernardini is bred to run long and should appreciate stretching out over one mile for Saturday’s fourth race at Churchill Downs, a $100,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 2:24 p.m. EST).

Thorpedo Anna

Thorpedo Anna is unbeaten in two starts for trainer Kenny McPeek, most recently unleashing a sensational burst of acceleration (final quarter-mile in 23.86 seconds) to smash a one-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs by nine lengths. She’s slated to run back on just 15 days of rest in Saturday’s 10th race at Churchill Downs, the Golden Rod (G2) with post time at 5:18 p.m. EST. She will be formidable if she brings her A-game.

Which horses do you have your eyes on?

In this biweekly series, racing analyst J. 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.