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.
New to the watch list
Star of Mystery
Promising 3-year-old filly Star of Mystery has held her own against tough older male rivals, finishing second in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) in Dubai and third in the Jaipur (G1) at Saratoga, a race in which the victorious Cogburn set a North American record of 59.80 seconds for 5 1/2 furlongs.
Facing 3-year-old males in Saratoga’s Quick Call (G3) last Sunday proved more manageable for Star of Mystery, as she unleashed a blazing turn of foot to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:00.97 seconds, earning a flashy 106 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form. This talented turf sprinter may win a few more graded stakes before the year is over.
Upcoming entries
Federal Judge
In 2023, Federal Judge opened his career with a pair of sharp maiden and allowance victories in which he defeated a bevy of next-out winners. But he didn’t race again after finishing a pacesetting fourth in the Woody Stephens (G1). Now 4 years old, Federal Judge has been transferred to the care of Brad Cox and will make his return from a 13-month layoff in Saturday’s eighth race at Saratoga, a seven-furlong $62,500 allowance optional claimer, post time 4:29 p.m. EDT. If he can recapture his best form, a strong season may await.
Fierceness
Runaway Florida Derby (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Fierceness is entered in Saturday’s 12th race at Monmouth Park, the Haskell (G1), post time 5:45 p.m. EDT. But the beaten Kentucky Derby favorite may scratch in favor of next week’s Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga instead.
Highland Falls
Highland Falls is making slow but steady progress for trainer Brad Cox. In the Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs last month, he finished fast to defeat next-out Hanshin winner Cagliostro by one length, earning an encouraging 101 Brisnet Speed rating. He can add another graded win to his tally in Saturday’s 10th race at Monmouth Park, the Monmouth Cup (G3), post time 4:38 p.m. EDT.
Idiomatic
Despite enduring a wide trip against a slow pace in the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Saratoga last month, Idiomatic finished fast to fall a head short of catching gate-to-wire winner Randomized. A better trip while facing an easier field in Saturday’s sixth race at Monmouth Park, the Molly Pitcher (G3), post time 2:24 p.m. EDT, can send last year’s champion older dirt female back to the winner’s circle.
Midnight Dajoey
Midnight Dajoey, an impressive debut winner on Tapeta, struggled when switching to dirt for a six-furlong allowance at Churchill Downs last month, finishing a distant fifth. Perhaps stretching out over one mile for Sunday’s sixth race at Ellis Park, an allowance with post time at 3:26 p.m. EDT, can help him rebound.
Leslie’s Rose
Flashy Ashland (G1) winner Leslie’s Rose misfired when 13th in the Kentucky Oaks, but bounced back last time to finish second against Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (see below) in the Acorn (G1). They’ll face off for the third time in Saturday’s 11th race at Saratoga, the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), post time 6:17 p.m. EDT.
Mindframe
Mindframe dominated his first two starts, then finished second by half a length in the Belmont (G1) despite ducking out sharply down the homestretch in response to the whip. He’s the 9-5 morning line favorite to win the Haskell and has every chance to do so if he runs more professionally.
Sweet Rebecca
Sweet Rebecca ran below form as an odds-on favorite in the Wonder Again (G2) last time out, finishing fifth by 4 1/4 lengths. She’d previously won her first two starts, including the Memories of Silver at Aqueduct, with strong finishing speed. Perhaps she can recapture her winning ways while facing a large field in Saturday’s 10th race at Saratoga, the Lake George (G3), post time 5:38 p.m. EDT.
Thorpedo Anna
Thorpedo Anna is 5-for-6 lifetime and 3-for-3 this year. All of her victories have been achieved by at least four lengths, including triumphs in the Fantasy (G2), Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Acorn (G1). She’ll be heavily favored to record her third straight Grade 1 win while taking on a small but accomplished field in the Coaching Club American Oaks.
Timberlake
Champagne (G1) and Rebel (G2) winner Timberlake has kept good company throughout his career. He’s been freshened since finishing fourth against a strong field in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at the end of March and can’t be dismissed while returning to action in the Haskell. After all, trainer Brad Cox has won the Haskell twice in the last three years.
Tuscan Sky
Tuscan Sky didn’t seem to handle kickback when racing behind horses in the Wood Memorial (G2). He’s 3-for-3 with clear trips and smashed the Pegasus at Monmouth last month by 6 3/4 lengths, so this talented Todd Pletcher trainee has a shot to factor while tackling Grade 1 company in the Haskell.
Unmatched Wisdom
Unmatched Wisdom has dominated his first two starts against maiden and allowance competition by 6 1/4 lengths and 5 3/4 lengths. He finished quickly under a hand ride in his allowance score and looks ready to secure a stakes win in Friday’s third race at Saratoga, the Curlin, post time 2:18 p.m. EDT.
