Horses to watch: Souper Sensational tackles the Mazarine
In this biweekly series, racing analyst Keeler Johnson will share 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
Although Full Impact didn’t debut until Oct. 14, the 3-year-old son of Street Sense is quickly making up for lost time. After cruising to victory by 2 1/4 lengths in a 6-furlong maiden race at Monmouth Park (stopping the timer in a quick 1:09.92), Full Impact elevated his game to an even higher level in a 6 1/2-furlong dash on Nov. 13 at Aqueduct.
Favored at 3-2 while facing four rivals, Full Impact flashed speed from the start, pressing fractions of :22.59 and :46.67. And when jockey Javier Castellano asked the gray colt to accelerate, Full Impact responded with a fresh burst of speed, pulling away down the stretch to score by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:17.20.
Full Impact’s final time translated to solid speed figures of 94 (Beyer) and 97 (Brisnet), suggesting he has the potential to develop into a capable stakes performer. Plus, Full Impact’s pedigree hints he’ll be effective racing at least a mile, stamping the Kelly Breen trainee as an intriguing up-and-comer to watch this winter.
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Chaos Theory
After Chaos Theory rallied belatedly to finish fourth by 1 3/4 lengths in the Woodford (G2) at Keeneland, I voiced the opinion that he could rebound against easier competition when returning to California, where he was a sharp winner of the 5-furlong Green Flash Handicap (G3) during the summer at Del Mar.
We’ll see if my belief is proven true when Chaos Theory squares off against five rivals in Friday’s second race at Del Mar, a 5-furlong allowance optional claiming race (post time 4:02 p.m. ET). He’s facing a stakes-caliber field and might receive a stiff challenge from Texas Wedge, a talented Peter Miller trainee dropping in class off an 11th-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
But Chaos Theory’s proven affinity for dashing 5 furlongs at Del Mar is a positive, and I love the way he overcome a slow pace to win the Green Flash, sprinting the final furlong in approximately :11 flat. I’m optimistic he’ll deliver a winning effort on Friday, setting the stage for a productive winter campaign on the California circuit.
Souper Sensational might not be a household name—at least, not yet—but she can take a step toward that status when stepping up in class and distance for Sunday’s 11th race at Woodbine, the 1 1/16-mile Mazarine (G3, post time 6:28 p.m. ET).
A daughter of Curlin conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, Souper Sensational has lived up to her name in her first two starts. After cruising to victory by 2 1/4 lengths in her debut sprinting 7 furlongs over the Woodbine Tapeta, Souper Sensational contested the Glorious Song S. over the same conditions and promptly pulled away to win by four lengths in a snappy 1:21.84.
The Mazarine will mark Souper Sensational’s two-turn debut, but her pedigree suggests the added ground won’t be an issue. In terms of Brisnet Speed ratings, she’s clearly the fastest horse in the field, and the fact she’s the only runner with a win over the Woodbine Tapeta is a positive. I’m confident she’ll deliver another sharp victory, with bigger and better things to come in 2020.
Which horses caught your eye last week?