Horses to Watch: Look for these 2 juveniles in stakes ranks

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.

Results

Friday

Keeneland, race 8: New to my watch list is David of Athens, a son of champion and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of Astoria winner Athens Queen. He looks ready to deliver on that classy pedigree after winning his debut in a six-furlong maiden special weight.

Facing 11 rivals, David of Athens was content to rate three lengths behind early fractions of 22.27 and 45.23 seconds. But down the homestretch he chased down the pacesetters and prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:10.98, earning an 87 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, David of Athens looks like a talented 2-year-old with a future on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Saturday

Belmont at Aqueduct, race 6: Keewaydin ran well when debuting in an Aug. 24 maiden special weight sprinting six furlongs at Saratoga, finishing third by a head and a nose against next-out Champagne (G1) runner-up Tip Top Thomas.

With that effort under his belt, Keewaydin took a nice step forward when making his second start in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont at the Big A. The Chad Brown-trained juvenile vied for command through an opening quarter-mile in 22.67 seconds, took over through half a mile in 45.70 seconds and then finished fast, going his final three furlongs in 36.39 seconds. He won by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:22.09.

Runner-up Volt pulled 10 lengths clear of the third-place finisher, so it’s safe to say Keewaydin ran a big race. He earned a 90 Beyer and is new to my watch list on the expectation that he’ll join the stakes ranks in the near future.

Sunday

Keeneland, race 8: In her first start since beating 3-year-old males in the July 14 Quick Call (G3) at Saratoga, Star of Mystery finished a good second against older fillies and mares in the 5 1/2-furlong Franklin (G2) at Keeneland.

Entering off only four timed workouts since her last race July 14, Star of Mystery dropped as many as 7 1/2 lengths behind blazing early fractions of 21.17 and 43.79 seconds. She was far off the pace at the top of the lane, but gradually threaded her way through the pack to finish second by 3/4 length against the pace-tracking Future Is Now. This was a fine try off the three-month layoff, so Star of Mystery is worth watching again.

Entries

Wednesday

Keeneland, race 5: Just over one year ago, Wesley Ward’s filly Royal Slipper debuted with an impressive victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland. The daughter of Uncle Mo led by daylight at every call, ultimately winning by 4 3/4 lengths.

Royal Slipper subsequently finished third as the 2-5 favorite in the Desi Arnaz in November at Del Mar, beaten 2 1/4 lengths by future two-time Grade 2 winner Nothing Like You. She has not run since, but Brisnet statistics indicate Ward wins at a 25 percent rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more, so Royal Slipper is a threat to win her comeback in a 5 1/2-furlong turf allowance at Keeneland. Adding Lasix and dropping blinkers are two changes that could trigger improvement from the bay filly.