Horses to Watch: 11 run as Kentucky Derby trail intensifies

Upcoming entries

Agate Road

Although Agate Road is cross-entered in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), he is expected to scratch and instead start in Saturday’s 12th race at Fair Grounds, the Louisiana Derby (G2), post time 6:42 p.m. EDT. The accomplished turf campaigner demonstrated his dirt prowess with a closing runner-up finish in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs last month. If he gets enough pace to chase at Fair Grounds, Agate Road figures to be gaining ground down the homestretch.

Botanical

Botanical is undefeated in five starts at Turfway Park, including decisive victories in the 2023 Cincinnati Trophy and Bourbonette Oaks. She kicked off 2024 with a gate-to-wire victory in a $50,000 allowance optional claimer racing one mile at Turfway and should be formidable while returning to the stakes ranks in Saturday’s ninth race at Turfway, the Latonia, at 4:43 p.m. EDT.

Carbone

Carbone has faltered in two starts on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, finishing seventh in the Southwest (G3) and sixth in the Rebel (G2). But he has shown speed in every one of his races, including back-to-back maiden and allowance optional claiming wins to start his career. Perhaps dropping down in class for Saturday’s eighth race at Oaklawn, the Hot Springs, post time 5:22 p.m. EDT, will help Carbone rebound.

Endlessly

Endlessly has quietly compiled three stakes wins on turf and Tapeta, including a stretch-running score in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. He’s the most accomplished horse entered in Saturday’s 12th race at Turfway, the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), post time 6:25 p.m. EDT. He will be tough to hold off if he runs as usual in his first start outside of California.

Hall of Fame

Louisiana Derby entrant Hall of Fame didn’t get the best trip when making his stakes debut in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, finishing seventh after steadying in traffic early and unleashing a bid around the far turn. But he’d previously smashed a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Fair Grounds by 10 1/4 lengths, so the fact trainer Steve Asmussen is giving Hall of Fame another chance on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is encouraging. Perhaps we’ll see Hall of Fame work out a clean trip and rebound in a big way.

Nash

Third in the Gun Runner and second in the Lecomte (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby… second in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer to the promising Tuscan Sky… Nash has been facing tough competition and may catch a slightly easier field in the Hot Springs, setting the stage for victory.

Ova Charged

Ove Charged is a winning machine with an 11-for-14 lifetime record. She’s gone 3-for-3 since transferring to trainer Shane Wilson, most recently smashing non-state-restricted competition in the Mardi Gras sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs over the Fair Grounds turf. She’ll stick to the same course and distance while tackling Louisiana-bred rivals in Sunday’s 10th race at Fair Grounds, the Page Cortez, post time 4:30 p.m. EDT, where she looks mighty tough to beat.

Pretty Liam

Pretty Liam didn’t get a clear trip by any means when finishing third by three-quarters of a length in a $75,000 allowance optional claimer sprinting five furlongs over the Gulfstream Park Tapeta last month. She’d previously trounced a fast maiden special weight over the same track and distance by 3 3/4 lengths. If Pretty Liam can successfully switch to turf for Sunday’s eighth race at Gulfstream, the five-furlong Melody of Colors, post time 4:37 p.m. EDT, she’s shown enough talent rank as a key win contender.

Tarifa

The beautifully bred Tarifa has won three of four starts for trainer Brad Cox, including the 1 1/16-mile Rachel Alexandra (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks at Fair Grounds. She’s tackling the same configuration in Saturday’s 11th race at Fair Grounds, the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), post time 6:08 p.m. EDT, and ranks as the runner to beat.

Touchuponastar

Louisiana-bred sensation Touchuponastar has won 11 of 14 starts, including 10 of his last 11. Many of his victories have come against Louisiana-bred rivals, but he’s also won the Delta Mile and finished second in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) against open company. He’ll be formidable if he sticks to the Louisiana-bred ranks for Sunday’s 11th race at Fair Grounds, the Star Guitar, post time 5:00 p.m. EDT. But, he’s also entered against open company in Saturday’s ninth race at Fair Grounds, the New Orleans (G2), post time 5:04 p.m. EDT. The New Orleans is the tougher spot, but Touchuponastar looks ready to handle the challenge.

Vote No

Vote No faltered after setting the pace in the one-mile Leonatus at Turfway last time out, fading to finish fifth. But he’d previously rallied to dominate the 6 1/2-furlong Turfway Prevue by 5 1/4 lengths, so perhaps cutting back to six furlongs for Saturday’s seventh race at Turfway, the Animal Kingdom, post time 3:43 p.m. EDT, will send Vote No back to the winner’s circle.

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.