Horses to Watch: 3 recent winners worth your attention
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.
New to the Watch List
Two starts, two victories. Always Carina has been eye-catching and unstoppable for four-time champion trainer Chad Brown, so winning a graded stakes might be inevitable for the 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon.
Always Carina was sharp as could be in a six-furlong maiden special weight on April 11 at Aqueduct, leading all the way to dominate by four lengths over a muddy track. Some might have questioned whether her superiority was exaggerated by the wet track, but Always Carina put any doubts to rest with a powerful allowance optional claiming victory at Belmont Park last Thursday.
Favored at just over 2-5, Always Carina stumbled at the start, but nevertheless came away quickly to secure the lead with solid splits of :23.34 and :46.81. From there, victory was never really in doubt, as Always Carina drew clear easily (through a quick :24.88 final quarter) to score by 9 3/4 lengths.
Recent Watch List winners
As Time Goes By had to work a bit harder than expected in the Santa Maria (G2) at Santa Anita. Favored at 2-5 in a four-horse field, As Time Goes By failed to kick away after tracking the pace and had to dig deep to stem off stretch-running 23-1 long shot This Tea by a nose.
But As Time Goes By’s effort was arguably more impressive than it appears at first glance. The main track didn’t seem to be playing particularly fast on Saturday, so As Time Goes By deserves credit for chasing solid early fractions of :23.83, :47.12, and 1:10.95. Her final time of 1:43.77 for 1 1/16 miles was also respectable.
As Time Goes By previously defeated This Tea by daylight when securing an uncontested lead in the Santa Margarita (G2), so there’s a chance As Time Goes By will resume her dominant ways if she receives a more favorable setup next time.
Whereas As Time Goes By had to work hard in the Santa Maria, Going Global never took a deep breath in Santa Anita’s Honeymoon (G3). The Phil D’Amato-trained filly was content to settle as many as 7 1/2 lengths off the early tempo as the pacesetter carved out fractions of :22.89, :45.66, and 1:09.79 – quite fast for a 1 1/8-mile turf race. Then, when the leaders gave way, Going Global cruised past with a rapid burst of acceleration to trounce her pursuers by 4 3/4 lengths.
Going Global dashed the final furlong in :11.78 to complete the Honeymoon in a snappy 1:46.37, leaving no doubt about her ability to handle 1 1/8 miles. The Irish-bred filly is now 4-for-4 in the U.S., with the Aug. 21 Del Mar Oaks (G1) looming as her long-term summer goal.
Off the Watch List
Frank’s Rockette
Although Frank’s Rockette was favored at 3-5 in the Winning Colors (G3) at Churchill Downs, she failed to bring her A-game against a small field, weakening from a pace-tracking position to finish third behind runaway winner Sconsin. This setback marked Frank’s Rockette’s second straight defeat, so at this point, we’ll drop her from our Watch List and wait for a sign that she is bouncing back before betting her again.
Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.