Horses to Watch: 4 in Travers + 13 others through Saturday
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.
Travers entries
Although Fierceness struggles with consistency, last year’s champion 2-year-old male is brilliant on his best day, as evidenced by blowout wins in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Florida Derby (G1). He won a quality renewal of the Jim Dandy (G2) last month and is a formidable win threat in Saturday’s Travers (G1).
Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone was beaten by only one length by Fierceness when second in the Jim Dandy. The consistent stretch-runner never has finished out of the trifecta and has every chance to record a top-three finish while getting a rematch with Fierceness in the Travers.
After rattling off blowout victories in the Fantasy (G2), Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), the sensational filly Thorpedo Anna is a dangerous win threat while facing males in the Travers. She’s seeking to become the first female Travers winner since 1915.
Three starts, three victories. Unmatched Wisdom is perfect so far, most recently leading all the way to win the Curlin at Saratoga. He’s stepping up sharply in class for the Travers, but is picking up jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and could have a chance to factor at enticing odds.
Other entries
Bentornato
Bentornato ran well when last seen in the Grade 3 Saudi Derby (G3), finishing third behind future Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Forever Young and subsequent Woody Stephens (G1) winner Book’em Danno. Berntornato is 4-for-4 sprinting and should appreciate cutting back in distance for Friday’s ninth race at Charles Town, the Robert Hilton Memorial.
Change of Command has been freshened since finishing 11th in the Sam F. Davis (G3) in February. He won his previous two starts in fine fashion, including a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, and could rebound when returning to action in Saturday’s seventh race at Monmouth Park, a $40,000 allowance optional claimer.
Victorious in seven of her last eight starts, including the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Idiomatic is the slight morning-line favorite to post a repeat win in Friday’s 10th race at Saratoga, the Personal Ensign (G1). The small field is packed with talent, but Idiomatic loves to win and had excuses, including a subpar start and a wide trip, when beaten by a head in the Ogden Phipps (G1) two starts back.
Racing wide over a rail-biased track compromised Jefferson Street’s chances when second in the Amsterdam (G2) at Saratoga last month. He previously had smashed a Saratoga allowance by eight lengths and could return to his winning ways if he catches a fair track in Saturday’s 12th race at Saratoga, the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1).
Whether Long Neck Paula starts against fellow fillies in Friday’s ninth race at Prairie Meadows, the Prairie Meadows Debutante or against males in Saturday’s ninth race, the Prairie Meadows Freshman, she’ll be a logical win threat. She romped on debut at Churchill Downs and exits a respectable third-place finish in the Schuylerville at Saratoga.
Measured Time conquered a quality field in the Manhattan (G1) at Saratoga, beating next-out Arlington Million (G1) winner Nations Pride by two lengths. The Godolphin homebred is a major threat to win right back in Saturday’s ninth race at Saratoga, the Sword Dancer (G1).
My Boy Prince has placed multiple times at the Grade 1 level on turf and is 5-for-6 over the Woodbine synthetic. He overcame a rearing start to win the Plate Trial last month and is a clear-cut morning line favorite to win Friday’s ninth race at Woodbine, the King’s Plate.
Last year’s Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Prince of Monaco endured a troubled start when returning from a seven-month layoff in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens (G1) at Saratoga. Nevertheless, he gobbled up ground from behind a fast pace to finish second by half a length. He’s a logical contender while sticking to the same track and distance for the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
Raging Torrent is on a roll sprinting seven furlongs, wiring a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs by 8 1/4 lengths before taking the Maxfield over the same track by two lengths. He’ll stick to his favorite distance for Saturday’s ninth race at Del Mar, the Pat O’Brien (G2), and although the caliber of competition is deep, this up-and-coming sophomore shouldn’t be underestimated.
The biggest threat to Measured Time in the Sword Dancer is his Godolphin stablemate Silver Knott, whose 3-for-3 record this year includes wins in the Elkhorn (G2), Man o’ War (G2) and Bowling Green (G2). Silver Knott’s red-hot form and obvious affinity for running long on turf have made him the slight morning-line favorite.
Speak Easy is undefeated in two starts for trainer Todd Pletcher. A fast maiden winner at Gulfstream during the winter, Speak Easy recently ended a six-month layoff with a comfortable allowance victory sprinting six furlongs at Saratoga. He’ll make his stakes debut in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial and shouldn’t be underestimated with five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
Sweet Azteca has shown flashes of brilliance while winning four of her five starts. During the winter, she defeated multiple Grade 1 winner Adare Manor in the Beholder Mile (G1). Last month, she smashed the Great Lady M (G2) by five lengths. She’s an obvious choice to pick up another graded win in Sunday’s eighth race at Del Mar, the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3).
Coming off a third-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell (G1), Timberlake might appreciate cutting back to seven furlongs for the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. He won the Champagne (G1) racing a one-turn mile last year and could turn out to be a sprinter-miler at heart.
Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.