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.

Results

Saturday

Del Mar, race 3. Iron Man Cal finished fourth in his debut sprinting five furlongs over the Del Mar turf. When he stretched out for a one-mile maiden special weight on Saturday, he improved significantly. The Phil D’Amato-trained juvenile settled a few lengths off the early pace, then blazed his final furlong in 11.46 seconds to kick away and win by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:36.05. Iron Man Cal’s strong turn of foot down the homestretch suggests he could be a good fit for the Zuma Beach (G3) at Santa Anita next month.

Del Mar, race 4. Previously unbeaten Sorrento (G3) winner Nooni ran below expectations as the 4-5 favorite in the Del Mar Debutante (G1), finishing fifth by 10 1/2 lengths. Dueling for the lead through fractions of 21.50 and 44.38 seconds probably didn’t help her chances, as the three early leaders trailed the field at the finish, so Nooni is worth watching again.

Kentucky Downs, race 7. Cogburn became a watch list winner when dominating the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint (G2), his third victory from as many starts this year. The sensational 4-year-old led from the start through fractions of 21.82 and 44.14 seconds before drawing away to beat Royal Ascot’s two-time Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1) winner Khaadem by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:07.68. A massive performance.

Del Mar, race 9. Didia failed to bring her A game in the John C. Mabee (G2), finishing a flat fourth as the 7-10 favorite. She’s missed the trifecta in two straight starts, so I’ll drop her from my watch list.

Del Mar, race 10. Pilot Commander put forth a good try when returning from an eight-month layoff in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance optional claimer. He tracked an opening quarter-mile in 21.46 seconds, advanced to challenge for command through a blazing half-mile in 43.96 seconds, and then fought on gamely to finish second by three-quarters of a length against stretch-running Red Flag, a graded-stakes winner. Pilot Commander pulled three lengths clear of the rest and might have won with a slightly different pace setup, so he’s worth watching again.

Sunday

Del Mar, race 6. Trainer John Shirreffs doesn’t often saddle winning first-time starters, and he’s gone 5-for-101 with such runners since 2020. When a Shirreffs trainee does win on debut, they tend to develop into nice horses, like La Brea (G1) heroine Hard Not to Love and Desi Arnaz winner Justique, who has placed in four graded stakes.

That’s why I took notice when Momad, a first-time starter from the Shirreffs barn, rallied to win a six-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar. The 4-year-old gelded son of Nyquist settled sixth early on, then unleashed a big rally down the homestretch to score by one length in 1:09.83. Momad is new to my watch list, and I suspect a stakes could be in his future.

Del Mar, race 10. As I hoped would be the case, my four watch list members in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) swept the superfecta.

Gaming, a son of 2018 champion 2-year-old male and Del Mar Futurity winner Game Winner, proved best. The Bob Baffert trainee settled in fifth place early on, advanced up the rail, shifted outside to take command and kicked on to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Gaming completed seven furlongs in 1:23.02 to bring his record to 2-for-2.

McKinzie Street gamely chased Gaming down the homestretch and finished four lengths clear of the rest, so he’s worth watching again. The same goes for third-place finisher Citizen Bull, who I believe may improve with time. I’ll also give another chance to Getaway Car, the previously unbeaten Best Pal (G3) winner who faded to finish fourth after setting stiff fractions of 21.85 and 44.35 seconds. Perhaps the pace was too fast for him.

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