Horses to Watch: Unbeaten Cox filly steps up in class

Recent watch-list winners

Eda

The talented 4-year-old filly Eda extended her win streak to six consecutive victories when she battled to victory in the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos. After dueling for command through hot fractions of 21.50 and 44.07 seconds, the daughter of Munnings battled on gamely to prevail by a neck in a three-horse driving finish.

Eda reached the finish line in 1:15.06 seconds to secure the fifth stakes score of her career. She’s won running long, most notably taking the Starlet (G1) as a juvenile, but sprinting appears to be her strong suit and the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is surely a logical year-end goal.

Upcoming entries

Dazzling Blue

Three starts, three blowout victories. Dazzling Blue has yet to be headed in a trio of starts sprinting six furlongs, most notably winning the Letellier Memorial at Fair Grounds last winter by three lengths.

Dazzling Blue recently returned from a layoff to obliterate a $125,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs by 8 3/4 lengths. Off this flashy victory, Dazzling Blue is a formidable win threat in Saturday’s 11th race at Belmont Park, the Victory Ride (G3) at 6:21 p.m. EDT. The Brad Cox trainee is facing a deep field highlighted by a couple of graded stakes winners, but she appears talented enough to hold her own.

Far Bridge

Tricky trips arguably compromised Far Bridge in both the American Turf (G2) and Pennine Ridge (G2), races in which he gained ground down the homestretch to finish second. The beautifully bred son of English Channel had previously won maiden and allowance contests at Gulfstream Park with powerful late rallies.

Far Bridge’s allowance score came with the guidance of jockey Jose Ortiz, and they’re reuniting for Saturday’s 10th race at Belmont Park, the Belmont Derby (G1) at 5:49 p.m. EDT. The deep and competitive field includes the American Turf and Pennine Ridge winners, so victory isn’t a certainty for Far Bridge. But if he works out a clean trip under Ortiz, he’ll have every chance to factor.

Skinner

After missing the Kentucky Derby with an elevated temperature and the Affirmed due to subpar training, Skinner is aiming to get back on track in Saturday’s ninth race at Los Alamitos, the Los Alamitos Derby at 7:44 p.m. EDT.

Skinner made steady progress during the spring with his third-place finishes in the San Felipe (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The son of Curlin has long shown flashes of talent, and if he can put everything together in the Los Alamitos Derby he’ll be poised for a strong second half of the season.

Off the watch list

Bleecker Street

Tidying up my watch list a bit, I’m removing 2022 New York (G1) winner Bleecker Street, who went to the sidelines following a third-place finish in the 2022 Diana (G1). The talented mare was unable to make it all the way back from an injury and was retired earlier this year. I’ll look forward to seeing her foals reach the races.

Slammed

Another name exiting my watch list is Slammed, winner of the 2022 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) but unraced since finishing 12th in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). She posted half a dozen workouts earlier this year, but foot issues recently prompted her retirement. Here’s hoping she enjoys success as a broodmare.

Which horses do you have your eyes on?

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.