Horses to Watch: See rising stars on dirt and turf
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
Carl Spackler ran strongly in his Jan. 21 debut over the Gulfstream Park turf course, finishing second by a head against Far Bridge (a member of my Watch List) while pulling six lengths clear of the third-place finisher.
Suffice to say, Carl Spackler ran as well or better when making his second start in a one-mile turf maiden special weight Feb. 25 at Gulfstream. After settling about four lengths behind fractions of 23.04 and 47.11 seconds, Carl Spackler rallied into contention through six furlongs in 1:11.15 and finished up fast (running the final quarter-mile in about 22.73 seconds) to dominate his rivals by 8 3/4 lengths.
Carl Spackler stopped the clock in a quick 1:34.13 and looks like a 3-year-old stakes star in the making for four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.
For the second straight year, Country Grammer settled for second place in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, closing ground too late to catch gate-to-wire winner Panthalassa. But Country Grammer was beaten only three-quarters of a length.
Country Grammer used his runner-up finish in the 2022 Saudi Cup as a springboard to victory in the Dubai World Cup (G1), and I’m optimistic he can repeat the feat in 2023.
I’m a little late joining the Elite Power bandwagon, but I have to applaud his performance in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) at Riyadh. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner shrugged off a layoff to rally powerfully and defeat Gunite by 3 1/4 lengths.
Elite Power made a terrific impression down the homestretch; he appeared to be just getting started and won convincingly. The son of Curlin has won six consecutive races and the 2022 Eclipse Award for champion male sprinter, but the Riyadh Dirt Sprint suggests Elite Power is still improving. That’s a scary thought for his rivals.
Last year’s Fantasy (G3) winner and Kentucky Oaks (G1) participant Yuugiri caught my eye with a big run in the Carousel at Oaklawn. She dueled inside of graded-stakes winner Pretty Birdie through a blazing opening quarter-mile in 21.41 seconds, calmly backed off and shifted outside through half a mile in 44.97 seconds and then re-rallied with authority down the homestretch to defeat Pretty Birdie by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:10.17.
The fact Yuugiri managed to sprint hard early, settle down easily and then unleash a winning rally is a sign of talent. The 4-year-old filly made multiple moves on cue and is now unbeaten in three starts sprinting, so she appears poised for a big season.
Worth another try
Misfired when finishing sixth at a short price in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn, but Giant Mischief moved earlier into a hot pace than the top three finishers, and it’s possible he struggled while competing over a sloppy track for the first time. The Rebel marked Giant Mischief’s first run of the season, so I’ll give him a chance to bounce back next time.
Put up a good fight against Elite Power in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, battling on down the homestretch to finish clearly second-best over a quartet of Japanese raiders. Gunite continues to compete with aplomb in sprints and figures to win his share of graded stakes this season.
Failed to bring his A-game in the Saudi Cup, chasing the gate-to-wire winner Panthalassa before fading to finish eighth by 7 3/4 lengths. I’m willing to forgive this poor showing and assume Taiba struggled over the unfamiliar track.
Didn’t get the cleanest trip in the Rebel, winding up boxed in behind rivals over a sloppy track. Verifying had to wait in traffic around the far turn and didn’t find racing room until the homestretch, when he gained back a bit of ground to finish fourth by 5 1/4 lengths. I think Verifying is better than he showed.
Off the Watch List
Gun Pilot
Never really fired in the Rebel, finishing seventh by 13 1/4 lengths. I’ll want to see Gun Pilot bounce back with a stronger run before supporting him again.
Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.