Horses to Watch: Breeders' Cup stars, dazzling maiden wins

New to the watch list

Derma Sotogake

Starting for the first time since finishing a troubled sixth in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Derma Sotogake ran gallantly in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, launching a sustained rally from fourth place to finish second. The Japan-bred 3-year-old was beaten only one length while gaining two lengths on the victorious White Abarrio through the final furlong, so look for Derma Sotogake to be a formidable presence in the Saudi Cup (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) next year.

Knightsbridge

Did you see Knightsbridge debut in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday at Churchill Downs? The Godolphin homebred was much the best for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, waiting and even steadying behind fractions of 22.94 and 46.27 seconds before taking over and powering clear to win by 10 1/2 lengths in 1:22.96. The 2-year-old son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist ran his final three furlongs in about 36.52 seconds and looks like a stakes horse in the making, which isn’t too surprising given that he’s a half-brother to Carter Handicap (G1) winner Speaker’s Corner.

Mullion

A full-brother to 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun, Mullion returned from a 14-month layoff in a one-mile maiden special weight on Sunday at Churchill Downs and obliterated his competition. After dueling for command through splits of 22.98 and 46.09 seconds, Mullion opened up a clear lead through six furlongs in 1:10.66 and finished powerfully (final two furlongs in 11.92 and 12.11 seconds) to win by 10 lengths. The 3-year-old Brad Cox trainee stopped the clock in 1:34.69, and with only two starts under his belt he still has upside. Mullion has every chance to make some noise next year.

Sierra Leone

Sold for $2.3 million as a yearling, Sierra Leone took a step toward earning back his purchase price when winning his debut on Saturday at Aqueduct. The 2-year-old son of Gun Runner out of Alcibiades (G1) winner Heavenly Love didn’t show much speed early, settling about 2 1/2 lengths off the pace through splits of 23.53, 47.29 and 1:11.80, but he ran his final two furlongs in approximately 12.37 and 12.35 seconds to get up and win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:36.94 seconds. Look for this Chad Brown trainee to develop in a positive direction with experience and maturity.

Recent watch list winners

Cody’s Wish

Wrapped up his career with a second straight win in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, gamely wearing down Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure by a nose. Could a horse of the year title be in his future?

Elite Power

Defended his Breeders’ Cup Sprint title with a stretch-running score against a strong field at Santa Anita, winning in the fast time of 1:08.34. Now he’s off to retirement.

Fierceness

Bounced back from a surprising Champagne (G1) no-show to dominate the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 6 1/4 lengths in the fast time of 1:41.90. He looks like a star in the making.

Goodnight Olive

Settled off the early pace in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, then rolled past rivals to dominate by 2 3/4 lengths. Now a two-time Filly & Mare Sprint winner, Goodnight Olive is slated to be sold at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Idiomatic

Pressed the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, then took over and held off all challengers to prevail by half a length. Now a three-time Grade 1 winner, Idiomatic has Champion older dirt female honors wrapped up.

Master of the Seas

Dropped a dozen lengths off the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, then rocketed his final quarter-mile in something like 10.60 seconds to get up and beat British classic winner Mawj by a nose in 1:32.45. A terrific run.

Touchuponastar

Louisiana-bred standout beat open company in the Delta Mile at Delta Downs, pressing the pace before holding off the Grade 1-placed Miles D by three-quarters of a length.

Worth another try

Agate Road

Gained some ground down the homestretch of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf to finish fifth by 2 1/2 lengths. He’s eligible to win his fair share of graded stakes against easier competition this winter.

Arabian Knight

Set fast fractions of 22.46, 45.73 and 1:10.28 in the Breeders’ Cup Classic before staying on reasonably well in the homestretch to finish fourth by 2 1/2 lengths. A good try from a relatively inexperienced 3-year-old.

Austere

Was right in the thick of things down the homestretch of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and was only beaten two lengths while finishing fifth. A good try.

Didia

Never really factored when finishing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Facing an easier field next time can trigger a rebound.

Endlessly

Suffered his first defeat in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, weakening from third at the halfway point to finish eighth. But he was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths and can bounce back against easier foes this winter.

General Partner

Carved out the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile before fading to finish sixth by 10 3/4 lengths. It’s possible this son of Speightstown is better sprinting.

Gunite

Finished second against longtime rival Elite Power in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths. Another excellent run from a talented sprinter.

Locked

Didn’t appear to handle kickback while racing inside and behind foes in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but produced a big rally once in the clear to finish third. He’ll be a force to reckon with next year.

Mawj

Tracked a fast pace in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, took over in the homestretch, and got nailed in the final strides to finish second by a nose. A gallant try from the 1,000 Guineas (G1) winner.

Prince of Monaco

Raced in midfield throughout the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, ultimately finishing fifth by 9 1/2 lengths. Cutting back to sprint distances may help the Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner rebound.

Private Desire

Belmont at the Big A maiden winner broke very slowly when stepping up in class for Sunday’s Nashua at Aqueduct and gave up more ground when racing greenly in the early stages. Nevertheless, he fought back to finish fourth by 6 3/4 lengths and surely would have done better with a more professional run.

Saudi Crown

Pressed Arabian Knight’s hot pace in the Breeders’ Cup Classic before giving way to finish 10th. Dropping down in class and/or distance can help Saudi Crown get back to the winner’s circle.

Speed Boat Beach

Set the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, then faltered in the drive to finish fourth by three lengths. The winning time was fast, so Speed Boat Beach ran a big race even in defeat.

Tamara

Set a quick pace while making her two-turn debut in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, then faded to finish seventh. She emerged with asmall fracture in her left hind splint bone and will receive time off.

Timberlake

Champagne (G1) winner faltered to fourth place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but I won’t dismiss him off one defeat.

Up to the Mark

Finished second by three-quarters of a length against star European Auguste Rodin in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, despite enduring a wider trip than the ground-saving winner. A giant effort against a tough field.

War Like Goddess

Finished seventh while running into some homestretch traffic in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Given the quality of the field, her 4 1/4-length defeat wasn’t a bad try.

Wine Me Up

Faded from a pace-tracking position to finish a distant eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but has the pedigree to improve with maturity and is worth trying again next time.

Off the watch list

Apollo Ten

Banishing

Cody’s Wish

Dr. Schivel

Eda

Elite Power

In Italian

Life Talk

Roses for Debra

Songline

Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.

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.