Horses to Watch: Woodbine winners warrant attention
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
The talented Brazilian-bred Filo Di Arianna is coming to hand impressively for trainer Mark Casse. He was tons the best in an $80,000 allowance optional claimer on July 3 at Woodbine, leading all the way to win by 6 3/4 lengths, and he was even more impressive in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup on Sunday.
Facing nine rivals, Filo Di Arianna never gave his pursuers a chance to catch up. After carving out increasingly fast fractions of 23.19 seconds, 46.25 and 1:08.70, Filo Di Arianna edged away through a rapid final furlong in 11.66 seconds to win by 2 1/2 lengths in the excellent time of 1:20.36. At this point, the Woodbine Mile (G1) has to be viewed as a viable goal for Filo Di Arianna.
Did you happen to see the spectacular victory posted by Moira in the Woodbine Oaks at Woodbine? The 3-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper swept from seven lengths off the pace to obliterate a large field by 10 3/4 lengths. Her final time of 1:49.78 for 1 1/8 miles was 0.84 seconds faster than 3-year-old males ran earlier on the card in the Plate Trial.
This eye-catching victory has stamped Moira as a logical contender for the Aug. 21 Queen’s Plate at Woodbine, in which she would seek to become the fifth filly since 2011 to beat males in Canada’s signature race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. I believe Moira is up to the task.
Recent Watch List winners
The improving daughter of Curlin ran out of her skin in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga, pressing and then setting a hot pace over a slow track before powering away to dominate by 12 1/4 lengths. Her final time of 1:51.04 for 1 1/8 miles was solid, given the tiring nature of the racing surface, and Nest has to be considered a clear favorite to win the Alabama (G1) over 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga next month.
Ran to expectations as the 3-5 favorite in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth Park, tracking early fractions of 24.06, 47.37 and 1:10.31 before seizing command to trounce the 1 1/16-mile event by three lengths. Search Results finished fast (running the fourth quarter-mile in less than 24 seconds and the final 16th in 6.18 seconds) to record a snappy final time of 1:40.47 seconds. Search Results won the Acorn (G1) as a 3-year-old last season and might just pick up another Grade 1 win before 2022 is over.
Worth another try
Didn’t quite stay 1 1/8 miles when weakening to finish third in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park, but the previously undefeated sprinter/miler was beaten by only two lengths. The final time of 1:46.24 was a track record, so Jack Christopher ran well in defeat and figures to rebound if he cuts back in distance next time.
Couldn’t quite outkick multiple Grade 1 winner Clairiere down the homestretch of the Shuvee (G2) at Saratoga, but fought on well to finish second by 1 1/2 lengths. This was a solid try from Malathaat, who has never missed the trifecta while winning or placing in nine straight graded stakes. She’s lost two in a row, but I see no reason to drop her from my watch list yet.
Put up a good fight against stablemate Highly Motivated in the Monmouth Cup (G3), tracking the pace before staying on to finish second by 1 3/4 lengths. Highly Motivated’s final time of 1:46.53 ranked briefly as a track record, so Pipeline’s runner-up try was a nice step in the right direction.
Although Secret Oath was decisively beaten when finishing second in the Coaching Club American Oaks, it’s hard to knock her performance. The Kentucky Oaks winner raced much closer than usual to a hot pace and still finished three lengths clear of Gazelle (G3) winner Nostalgic, so I’ll view Secret Oath’s performance in a positive light.
Ran too good to lose in the Haskell, rallying wide to finish second by a head against the ground-saving winner Cyberknife. Considering Taiba hadn’t run since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby, this was an admirable effort he can build on through the summer and fall.
Off the Watch List
Efficiency
Faltered in his first start against winners, finishing sixth out of seven in a 1 1/8-mile allowance on Friday at Saratoga. I was expecting a sharper showing from the 3-1 second betting choice.
Shirl’s Speight
We had a nice run with Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) winner Shirl’s Speight, but after three straight defeats – including a fifth-place finish in Saturday’s Connaught Cup (G2) at Woodbine – I’ll drop him until he shows a little more spark.
Tobys Heart
Got a decent pace to chase in the Caress (G3) at Saratoga, but failed to capitalize while passing only a single rival to finish eighth. Tobys Heart seems a bit below her best at the moment, so I’ll want to see her bounce back before supporting her again.
Upcoming entries
It’s safe to say Amadevil will face a tough field in Wednesday’s fourth race at Saratoga, the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2, post time 2:49 p.m. EDT). Her rivals include Grade 1 winners Bella Sofia and Kimari plus the Grade 1-placed Frank’s Rockette.
But Amadevil brings a 7-for-8 record to the table, which includes a trio of blowout stakes wins against Ohio-bred rivals at Thistledown and Belterra Park. Amadevil is stepping up in class, but she boasts impressive speed and consistency and just might outrun expectations.
Two starts, two victories. Rallying tactics have carried Midnight Memories to maiden and allowance optional claiming victories at Santa Anita, and she’ll have every chance to pick up a third win in Thursday’s fifth race at Del Mar, an $80,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 7:00 p.m. EDT). Midnight Memories faces only five rivals and ranks as the fastest entrant from a Brisnet Speed Rating perspective, so she should be tough to deny while adding blinkers off sharp workouts for trainer Bob Baffert. Hot jockey Juan Hernandez has the mount.
Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.