Horses to Watch: Juveniles shine in Del Mar stakes

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Durante

The red-hot 4-year-old gelding Durante has won five of his last six starts, including four out of five since transferring to the care of hot trainer David Jacobson. He was especially sharp in the six-furlong Bold Ruler (G3) at Belmont at the Big A last month, carving out quick fractions before kicking clear to beat the Grade 1-placed High Oak by 2 3/4 lengths.

Durante is entered as a main-track only runner in Saturday’s ninth race at Aqueduct, the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, post time 3:43 p.m. EST. With clear weather in the forecast, it seems unlikely that the six-furlong grass dash will be transferred to dirt. But if the Turf Sprint Championship does switch surfaces, you can bet Durante will be a formidable win threat.

Nysos

Nysos was spectacular when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita last month. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist rocketed to the front through hot fractions of 21.62 and 44.19 seconds before throwing down a final quarter-mile in 24.78 seconds to draw off and win by 10 1/2 lengths in the blazing time of 1:08.97 seconds.

This powerful debut stamps Nysos as the horse to beat while stepping up in class for Sunday’s eighth race at Del Mar, the Bob Hope (G3), with post time at 7:00 p.m. EST. Trainer Bob Baffert has won this seven-furlong sprint 12 times, including eight times since 2011, and Nysos can add another win to Baffert’s tally.

Royal Slipper

Royal Slipper was much the best when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Oct. 6 at Keeneland. The 2-year-old Wesley Ward trainee led by daylight at every call and ultimately prevailed by 4 3/4 lengths, earning a sharp 93 Brisnet speed rating.

Royal Slipper should be tough to catch while shipping across the country for Saturday’s second race at Del Mar, the Desi Arnaz, post time 4:00 p.m. EST. None of the other entrants in this seven-furlong dash for juvenile fillies have posted a Brisnet Speed rating higher than 87, and Royal Slipper appears to have the most early speed as well, so a second straight gate-to-wire victory may be in the offing.

Wine Me Up

Just 16 days after finishing eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Wine Me Up is dropping down in class and distance for the Bob Hope. While his Breeders’ Cup effort was a bit disappointing, Wine Me Up had previously wired a six-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar and finished second in the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah (G1), showcasing his talent and versatility.

As a son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso out of acclaimed grass sire Kitten’s Joy, Wine Me Up has the pedigree to improve with distance and maturity, so sprinting seven furlongs as a juvenile probably won’t be his strong suit. But Wine Me Up’s talent alone may be sufficient to land him a competitive showing in the Bob Hope.

Which horses do you have your eyes on?

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.