Horses to Watch: 12 runners can kick off September in style

Upcoming entries

Arabian Knight

Arabian Knight may have been beaten to third place in the Haskell (G1) last time out, but he was returning from a six-month layoff and facing a quality field. He’s trained strongly since then and is eligible to improve in Saturday’s 10th race at Del Mar, the Pacific Classic (G1, post time 9:00 p.m. EDT).

Big Invasion

Big Invasion is 2-for-2 at Saratoga, where he dominated the Quick Call (G3) and Mahoney dashing 5 1/2 furlongs on turf last year. Returning to that configuration should make Big Invasion tough to beat in Saturday’s eighth race at Saratoga, the Harvey Pack (post time 4:34 p.m.). Dropping in class off a runner-up finish in the Jaipur (G1) at Belmont Park and a misfire in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1) at Royal Ascot should also help.

Carl Spackler

Carl Spackler was much the best in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga last month, rallying from seventh place to trounce his rivals by 2 1/4 lengths. The flashy Chad Brown trainee will be formidable if he produces a similar performance in Friday’s fourth race at Saratoga, the Saranac (G3, post time 2:52 p.m.).

Count Again

Winner of the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) and Shoemaker Mile (G1) in 2022, Count Again recently returned from a 14-month layoff to rally from behind a slow pace and finish fourth in the Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar. If he gets a better pace setup in Saturday’s seventh race at Del Mar, the Del Mar Mile (G2, post time 7:30 p.m.), Count Again can move forward and possibly vie for victory.

Dazzling Blue

Dazzling Blue won the first three starts of her career by daylight margins, then finished second in a deep renewal of the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont Park. Third-place finisher Vahva flattered the form by returning to win the Charles Town Oaks, so Dazzling Blue looks like the filly to beat in Saturday’s fifth race at Saratoga, the Prioress (G2, post time 2:52 p.m.).

Faiza

Faiza faltered when shipping east for the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico last time out, finishing third as the 3-5 favorite. But the four-time graded stakes winner has been freshened since then and should appreciate returning to California for Saturday’s eighth race at Del Mar, the Torrey Pines (G3, post time 8:00 p.m.). She’s five-for-five in the Golden State, which includes a victory in the 2022 Starlet (G1).

Far Bridge

Winner of the Belmont Derby (G1) and a good third in the Saratoga Derby (G1), Far Bridge enters Sunday’s 11th race at Kentucky Downs, the Dueling Grounds Derby (G3, post time 7:00 p.m.) in strong form. The son of English Channel is the horse to beat if he takes to the European-style turf course.

Geaux Rocket Ride

With back-to-back victories in the Affirmed and Haskell (G1) under his belt, Geaux Rocket Ride is a talented 3-year-old on the rise. He won the Haskell by 1 3/4 lengths over Kentucky Derby winner Mage and looms as a key win threat while stepping up against older rivals in the Pacific Classic.

Locked

Locked gained a ton of ground after a troubled start to finish third in his debut sprinting six furlongs against maiden special weight company at Saratoga. The race was fast on paper, so Locked looms as a heavy favorite while stretching out in distance for Friday’s fifth race at Saratoga, a one-mile maiden special weight (post time 3:26 p.m.).

Skinner

The multiple Grade 1-placed Skinner has put together a strong work tab since rallying from behind a modest pace to finish second in the Los Alamitos Derby. The son of Curlin has long shown flashes of serious talent and may outrun his odds while taking on a deep field in the Pacific Classic.

Sugar Hi

Sugar Hi impressed when debuting in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on opening day at Saratoga, pressing a quick pace before kicking clear in the final furlong to win by six lengths. Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Sugar Hi has trained with promise since then and looms as a logical contender while stepping up in class for Sunday’s ninth race at Saratoga, the Spinaway (G1, post time 5:10 p.m.).

Ways and Means

Another formidable win threat in the Spinaway is Ways and Means, who smashed a six-furlong maiden special weight at Saratoga last month by 12 3/4 lengths. The Chad Brown trainee looks like a star in the making and could potentially start as the Spinaway favorite, even while squaring off against unbeaten Adirondack (G3) winner Brightwork.

Off the watch list

Signator

Stoutly bred colt stretched out in distance for a one-mile $62,500 allowance optional claimer that was rained of the Saratoga turf on Wednesday, but rallied only mildly and flattened out in the homestretch to finish fourth by 4 3/4 lengths. Signator has lost two straight races since returning from a long layoff, so I’ll drop him from my watch list.

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.