Horses to Watch: Track these 25 on Belmont Stakes weekend

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.

Recent watch list winners

Alva Starr

The Madison (G1) winner had no trouble dropping in class to beat three rivals in the Rehoboth at Delaware Park, wiring the field by 9 3/4 lengths. Alva Starr is now 3-for-4 this year, with all of her wins coming in stakes.

Ways and Means

The Kentucky Oaks (G1) fourth-place finisher dropped in class for a one-mile Saratoga allowance on Thursday and had no trouble winning as the 1-5 favorite. Ways and Means settled midpack early through fractions of 23.69 and 46.82 seconds. She then advanced around the far turn and took over down the lane to win under a hand ride by 8 1/4 lengths in 1:35.90 seconds in an impressive performance.

Upcoming entries

Arthur’s Ride

Arthur’s Ride misfired over a sloppy track at Churchill last time out, but if he catches a fast track in Friday’s second race at Saratoga, a 1 1/4-mile $62,500 allowance optional claimer, post time 12:53 p.m. EDT, he may rebound. The son of Tapit has the pedigree to handle 1 1/4 miles.

Be You

Be You has shown flashes of talent for trainer Todd Pletcher. He was sharp in a seven-furlong maiden special weight during the winter at Gulfstream and may outrun expectations while returning to that trip for Saturday’s eighth race at Saratoga, the Woody Stephens (G1), post time 3:22 p.m. EDT.

Carl Spackler

Carl Spackler has won three straight stakes, including the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) and Saranac (G3) at Saratoga last summer. He’ll have every chance to win again in Saturday’s fifth race at Saratoga, the Poker (G3), post time 1:11 p.m. EDT.

Chili Flag

Chili Flag has developed into a talented turf miler for Chad Brown,
winning the Honey Fox (G3) and Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) in
succession. Perhaps she can take the next step up and snatch a top-level
win in Saturday’s 10th race at Saratoga, the Just a Game (G1), post
time 5:30 p.m. EDT.

Cogburn

Cogburn has won four of his five turf starts, including the Troy (G3) at Saratoga last summer. Fresh off a season-opening win in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2), Cogburn is the 2-1 morning line favorite to triumph in Saturday’s ninth race at Saratoga, the Jaipur (G1), post time 4:08 p.m. EDT.

Didia

Don’t underestimate Didia in Friday’s 11th race at Saratoga, the New York (G1), post time 6:05 p.m. EDT. She finished a pace-compromised second in this race last year and remains in strong form, having opened 2024 with a win in the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G2).

El Capi

El Capi was aided by a speed bias when winning his debut in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct last fall, but he was also tons the best, romping by 9 1/2 lengths with a 100 Brisnet Speed Rating. We’ll see if he can repeat the feat while returning from a long layoff in Friday’s eighth race at Saratoga, a 6 1/2-furlong allowance, post time 4:21 p.m. EDT.

Far Bridge

Last year’s Belmont Derby (G1) winner was compromised by a modest pace when rallying to finish fifth by four lengths in the Turf Classic (G1) last month. If he gets a better setup in Saturday’s 11th race at Saratoga, the Manhattan (G1), post time 5:36 p.m. EDT, he may challenge for a stronger finish.

General Partner

Last year’s Champagne (G1) runner-up broke his maiden by four lengths during the summer at Saratoga. He’s cross-entered in Friday’s eighth race at Saratoga (where he would face El Capi) and also Saturday’s first race at Saratoga, a one-mile allowance, post time 10:45 a.m. EDT. He’ll be a logical contender in either spot.

Idiomatic

Idiomatic has won six straight graded stakes, including four Grade 1 races. She romped by 3 3/4 lengths in the La Troienne (G1) to start 2024 and is a heavy 3-5 morning line favorite to win Saturday’s seventh race at Saratoga, the Ogden Phipps (G1), post time 2:36 p.m. EDT.

I’m Very Busy

I’m Very Busy never fired in the Turf Classic, finishing seventh, but he’d previously trounced the Muniz Memorial Classic (G2) and finished second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1). Perhaps he’ll bounce back in the Manhattan.

Jefferson Street

Joining El Capi and General Partner in the entries for Friday’s 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga allowance is Jefferson Street, third in a fast $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill last month. He’s shown flashes of talent for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Leslie’s Rose

Leslie’s Rose ran poorly in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), finishing 13th, but two starts back she won the Ashland (G1) by three lengths over champion and Kentucky Oaks runner-up Just F Y I. A return to peak form would make Leslie’s Rose a top contender in Friday’s 12th race at Saratoga, the Acorn (G1), post time 6:40 p.m. EDT.

Mindframe

Mindframe has been spectacular in his first two starts, dominating a Gulfstream maiden sprint by 13 3/4 lengths before wiring a $100,000 allowance optional claimer over 1 1/16 miles at Churchill by 7 1/2 lengths. He’s stepping up sharply in class for Saturday’s 12th race at Saratoga, the Belmont Stakes, post time 6:41 p.m. EDT, but he may have the talent to win.

Mystik Dan

Mystik Dan has emerged among the nation’s top 3-year-olds after winning the Kentucky Derby and finishing second in the Preakness. If he can record another exacta finish in the Belmont, he’ll be well on his way to earning the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old male.

Nash

Coming off a runner-up finish to Preakness winner Seize the Grey in the Pat Day Mile (G2), Nash will be a formidable contender whether he starts in the Woody Stephens at Saratoga or Sunday’s eighth race at Churchill Downs, the Matt Winn (G3), post time 4:22 p.m. EDT.

Nothing Like You

Runaway Starlet (G2) and Santa Anita Oaks (G2) winner Nothing Like You is facing only three rivals in Saturday’s seventh race at Santa Anita, the Summertime Oaks (G2), post time 7:15 p.m. EDT. She’s a standout in terms of Brisnet Speed Ratings and will be tough to beat if she brings her A-game.

Parenting

Fresh off a fast 2 3/4-length debut victory sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita, Bob Baffert trainee Parenting is bound to attract plenty of betting support while stepping up in class and distance for Sunday’s eighth race at Santa Anita, the Affirmed, post time 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Prince of Monaco

Prince of Monaco is undefeated sprinting, most notably winning the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Best Pal (G3). He’s trained strongly for his 3-year-old debut in the Woody Stephens and is the morning line favorite to defeat a deep field.

Sierra Leone

Blue Grass (G1) winner Sierra Leone was beaten only a nose in the Kentucky Derby despite lugging in down the homestretch. If he can maintain a straighter course in the Belmont, this son of Gun Runner will have every chance to pick up a classic win.

Suncroft

A speed bias helped Suncroft wire a seven-furlong allowance at Keeneland two months ago, but it’s worth noting he survived a fast pace and prevailed with a strong 101 Brisnet Speed rating. He’s a logical contender in Saturday’s ninth race at Churchill Downs, a seven-furlong $80,000 allowance optional claimer, post time 4:55 p.m. EDT.

The Wine Steward

The Wine Steward has been competing admirably against graded stakes competition, finishing second by less than one length in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Lexington (G3) and Peter Pan (G3). One more step forward could put him in the hunt against classic competition in the Belmont.

Thorpedo Anna

The favorite to win the Acorn is the once-beaten Thorpedo Anna, whose 2-for-2 record in 2024 includes blowout wins in the Kentucky Oaks and Fantasy (G2). A repeat of her Oaks romp will likely land Thorpedo Anna in the Acorn winner’s circle.

Vlahos

Vlahos ran well after dueling through quick fractions in the Pat Day
Mile, staying on to finish third by 1 1/4 lengths against Seize the Grey
and Nash. He’s a logical contender while cutting back to seven furlongs
for the Woody Stephens.

War Like Goddess

Perennial long-distance grass star War Like Goddess is kicking off her 7-year-old campaign against Didia and other tough rivals in the New York. The 1 3/16-mile distance is probably shorter than War Like Goddess wants to run, but a strong finish down the homestretch can set her up for another productive season.

Off the watch list

Doncho

Faded to finish third as the favorite in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.