Horses to Watch: First Mission returns, plus 3 others

Durante has won four straight races by daylight margins, including three since transferring to the care of high-percentage trainer David Jacobson. He was especially impressive in a $62,500 allowance optional claimer sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont at the Big A last month, leading all the way to win by five lengths with a powerful 107 Brisnet speed rating.

Anything close to a repeat of that performance should make Durante a formidable win threat in Saturday’s ninth race at Belmont at the Big A, a six-furlong $80,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 4:54 p.m. EDT).

First Mission

First Mission showed plenty of promise earlier this year. After dominating a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Fair Grounds, the 3-year-old Brad Cox trainee conquered a strong field in the Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, counting future Woody Stephens (G1) winner Arabian Lion and eventual Travers (G1) runner-up Disarm among his beaten rivals.

First Mission was slated to contest the Preakness, but wound up scratching and taking some time off. He’s turned in seven timed workouts in advance of Saturday’s 10th race at Keeneland, a 1 1/16-mile $80,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 5:48 p.m.) and should have every chance to pick up where he left off.

Lightline

Lightline was tons the best in a one-mile maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis last month. The Brad Cox-trained 2-year-old pressed a modest pace, then took over and finished fast (final two furlongs in 12.47 and 12.14 seconds) to obliterate his competition by 13 3/4 lengths.

This eye-catching performance has made Lightline the 4-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s third race at Keeneland, a 1 1/16-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer (post time 2:04 p.m.). If he can successfully translate his fine Horseshoe Indianapolis form into a winning run against tougher competition at Keeneland, we could be looking at a Road to the Kentucky Derby contender in the making.

Twilight Gleaming

Twilight Gleaming didn’t get a clear run when finishing seventh as the favorite in the Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar last month, and two starts back she found international Group 1 competition too tough when facing males in the King’s Stand (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Sunday’s seventh race at Keeneland, the 5 1/2-furlong Franklin (G2, post time 4:12 p.m.) should be a better fit for Twilight Gleaming. She won the Giant’s Causeway over this course and distance during the spring and ought to work out a clean trip while breaking from post four under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, so don’t be surprised if Twilight Gleaming outruns her 6-1 morning line odds.

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.