Horses to Watch: Star Fortress impresses in U.S. debut

Catching up on a result from Nov. 19, I’m adding Leslie’s Rose to my watch list. The Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of four-time leading North American sire Into Mischief was tons the best when debuting in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Aqueduct, leading all the way to win by 9 1/4 lengths.

Setting fractions of 23.10 and 46.40 seconds did little to tire Leslie’s Rose, who ran her third quarter-mile in 23.97 seconds and her final sixteenth of a mile in 6.36 seconds to win easing up. She reached the finish line in 1:16.73 and looks like a stakes horse in the making, which is fitting for a filly who sold for $1.15 million as a yearling.

Star Fortress

Star Fortress was far from a superstar when competing in the United Kingdom. To the contrary, she compiled a 1-for-7 record and finished sixth in her lone group-stakes appearance.

But the 4-year-old daughter of Sea the Stars elevated her game in a big way when making her U.S. debut in the Cardinal (G3) racing 1 1/8 miles on turf at Churchill Downs. After trailing a six-horse field through splits of 23.35, 48.61 and 1:13.90 over a slow-playing good course, Star Fortress passed the entire field in the span of a quarter-mile and went from a half-length in front at the eighth pole to 10 lengths clear at the wire.

Star Fortress finished fast, with the final furlong in 12.21 seconds, to reach the finish line in 1:51.10. It appears she has moved forward in a big way under the care of trainer Cherie DeVaux, so a potentially bright future awaits.

Worth another try

Booth

Impressive debut winner ran well below expectations in the 6 1/2-furlong Ed Brown at Churchill Downs, dueling for early command with a couple of rivals before weakening in the homestretch to finish fifth by 4 1/2 lengths. Horses rallying from behind swept the trifecta, so perhaps Booth can rebound next time if he gets a more relaxed trip.

Durante

Carved out splits of 22.68 and 46.06 seconds in the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct, then faltered in the drive to finish second by one length against last-to-first winner Bold Journey. Durante was conceding Bold Journey six pounds of weight, so we won’t judge his defeat too harshly.

First Mission

Improving 3-year-old failed by only a nose to beat older rivals in the Clark (G2) at Churchill Downs, succumbing to multiple stakes winner Trademark after a long stretch battle. First Mission had a tricky trip battling for the lead every step of the way and received a 100 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form even in defeat, so we’ll view his Clark performance in a positive light.

Giant Mischief

Suffered his first defeat sprinting when beaten to second place in a seven-furlong $100,000 allowance optional claimer on Sunday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old Brad Cox trainee put up a good try down the homestretch, but fell 1 1/2 lengths shy of the more forwardly placed winner Traegar, a 4-year-old with more experience. This is an effort Giant Mischief can build on.

Mystik Dan

An impressive maiden winner sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs, Mystik Dan launched a challenge on the turn when stretching out over one mile for a $100,000 optional-claiming allowance on Saturday at Churchill Downs, but he faltered in the homestretch to finish fifth by eight lengths. Cutting back to sprint distances may help him bounce back.

Tarifa

Flashy Keeneland maiden winner ran below expectations as the 5-4 favorite in a $100,000 optional-claiming allowance on Saturday at Churchill Downs, running evenly to finish fourth by 6 1/2 lengths in the one-mile contest. It wasn’t the run I anticipated, but I’ll give her one more chance next time.

Thorpedo Anna

Ran second as an odds-on favorite after breaking slowly and rallying only mildly in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. But Thorpedo Anna was running back on short rest and stretching out around two turns for the first time, so she still has upside.

Off the watch list

Awesome Road

Misfired for the second straight time in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, launching a mid-race rally into a slow pace before tiring to finish fifth by 10 1/2 lengths. I’ll want to see him return to the form of his promising maiden victory before backing him again.

Risk It

Fought his rider and ran into traffic trouble on his way to a fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club. Risk It had some excuses, but his 8 3/4-length defeat marked a second straight loss at the stakes level, so I’ll drop him from my watch list.

Saratoga Secret

Suffered a second straight defeat against stakes company when finishing fourth by 8 1/4 lengths in the Fern Creek at Churchill Downs.

Here is my complete, updated list of Horses to Watch.

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.