Horses to Watch: Arabian Knight, Nest return to action

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Arabian Knight

Arabian Knight has always been cut out for stardom. Purchased for $2.3 million as a 2-year-old in training, Arabian Knight kicked off his career with a 7 1/4-length victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland, then stretched out over 1 1/16 miles to trounce the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn by 5 1/2 lengths.

Arabian Knight has never been headed nor challenged, so there’s no telling how talented he might be. The son of Uncle Mo hasn’t run since January, but he’s turned in an impressive series of workouts in preparation for Saturday’s 12th race at Monmouth Park, the Haskell (G1, post time 5:45 p.m. EDT), setting the stage for a strong showing. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has saddled nine winners and five runners-up from 14 Haskell starters, so in all likelihood we can count on Arabian Knight to record a top-two finish in his Grade 1 debut.

Catnip

Catnip has been unstoppable since being gelded. The 4-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy has gone 3-for-3 this year, parlaying allowance victories at Keeneland and Monmouth into a stretch-running score in the Monmouth (G3) racing 1 1/8 miles.

In the Monmouth, Catnip got shuffled back in traffic before unleashing a powerful late surge to win by half a length. He’s improving with every start and can’t be underestimated while stepping up in class and distance for Saturday’s 11th race at Monmouth, the United Nations (G1, post time 5:06 p.m. EDT).

Extra Anejo

One of the up-and-comers entered in the Haskell is Extra Anejo, whose 2-for-3 record includes a decisive score in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer racing one mile at Ellis Park last month. On that occasion, Extra Anejo suffered a troubled start, but recovered to track a quick pace and seize command to dominate by 6 1/4 lengths.

Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Extra Anejo ranked among the early favorites for the 2023 Kentucky Derby after winning his debut at Keeneland by 9 1/2 lengths, but he went to the sidelines for the winter and missed the Triple Crown. Now he’s back in action and ready to try his luck against elite competition.

I’m Very Busy

I’m Very Busy showed promise as a juvenile, winning his debut at Saratoga before finishing second in the Pilgrim (G2) behind Major Dude, who has gone on to win multiple graded stakes this year. I’m Very Busy wrapped up 2022 with a 10th-place finish against tough competition in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

I’m Very Busy hasn’t run since last November, but he’s turned in a lengthy string of workouts for four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown and looms as a logical win threat while dropping in class for Saturday’s eighth race at Saratoga, a $62,500 allowance optional claimer (post time 5:02 p.m. EDT). He’s the only horse in the main body of the field with graded stakes experience under his belt, and the presence of hot jockey Flavien Prat adds to the appeal.

Mage

If anyone can defeat Arabian Knight in the Haskell, it’s surely Mage, who launched a strong rally from behind a fast pace to upset the Kentucky Derby. The stoutly bred son of Good Magic subsequently finished a deceptively good third in the Preakness, beaten only 2 1/4 lengths while attempting to rally into a slow pace that benefited front-running winner National Treasure.

Prior to the Triple Crown, Mage finished second behind champion Forte in the Florida Derby (G1), so he’s cracked the trifecta in three straight Grade 1 races. He can certainly do so again in the Haskell.

Mirahmadi

Mirahmadi showed promise when debuting in the Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita last month, Despite breaking slowly and racing ride, the son of four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief finished second with a respectable 82 Brisnet Speed rating.

Mirahmadi is dropping in class for Sunday’s eighth race at Del Mar, a five-furlong maiden special weight (post time 8:30 p.m. EDT) and looms as a formidable win threat for the red-hot jockey/trainer duo of Juan Hernandez and Bob Baffert. Despite his career-opening defeat, the future could still be bright for this $1.05 million yearling acquisition.

Nest

Last year’s champion 3-year-old filly enjoyed a strong 2022 summer at Saratoga, posting blowout victories in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama (G1). Now she’s returning to the Spa for Sunday’s fourth race at Saratoga, the Shuvee (G2, post time 2:52 p.m. EDT).

Nest hasn’t started since posting a fourth-place finish in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but she’s been working steadily for her return and figures to give four-time Grade 1 winner Clairiere a tussle even while returning from a layoff.

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.