Horses to Watch: Flashy 2-year-olds from Baffert, Cox
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
Air of Defiance
Runner-up behind Fierceness in his debut at Saratoga, Air of Defiance moved forward sharply when making his second start in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on Wednesday at Keeneland. The Brad Cox-trained juvenile engaged in a three-way battle for the lead through fractions of 22.62 and 46.85 seconds, then took over and pulled away to dominate by six lengths.
If the timer is to be believed, Air of Defiance rocketed his final furlong in 11.47 seconds to record a final time of 1:23.29, which translated to a sharp 93 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form. This son of Quality Road looks like a road to the Kentucky Derby contender in the making.
Nysos made quick work of a deep six-furlong maiden special weight Saturday at Santa Anita. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist dueled for the lead through intense splits of 21.62 and 44.19 seconds then opened up impressively in the final quarter-mile to draw off and score by 10 1/2 lengths in the blazing time of 1:08.97.
Even after setting a hot pace, Nysos managed to sprint his final two furlongs in 12.37 and 12.41 seconds. The Daily Racing Form assigned him a 96 Beyer Speed Figure, tied for the second-highest number posted by any 2-year-old this year. Trained by Bob Baffert, Nysos has every chance to develop into a graded-stakes winner.
Recent Watch List winners
Bentornato
Talented Florida-bred juvenile brought his record to 4-for-4 with a dominant victory in the FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed at Gulfstream Park. Dueling and leading through respectable fractions of 22.59 and 45.50 seconds did little to tire the son of Valiant Minister, who edged away down the homestretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:23.50.
Worth another try
Alva Starr
The Prioress (G2) winner put forth a game try in the seven-furlong Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland, setting fractions of 22.61, 45.48 and 1:10.05 before weakening in the final yards to finish second by half a length against Charles Town Oaks (G3) winner Vahva in 1:23.28. Alva Starr pulled 12 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Dazzling Blue, a stakes winner who had previously placed twice at the graded level, so I won’t judge Alva Starr’s defeat too harshly.
Forte
The champion 2-year-old male of 2022 developed a quarter crack after finishing a subpar fourth in Travers (G1) and missed enough training time to derail an intended start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. As a result, Forte has been retired and will stand at stud at Spendthrift Farm.
Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.