Johannes adds luster to Fourstardave; Hotazhell class of Saratoga Derby

Although his two prior starts outside California did not produce satisfactory results, the current version of Johannes figures as a tough nut to crack Saturday in the $750,000 Fourstardave (G1) at Saratoga, a one-mile grass test that offers an expense-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar in November.

Del Mar is Johannes' summertime base, but his presence adds luster to the Fourstardave. The son of Nyquist was arguably the most accomplished of the nation's older male turf runners last season, and if not for a narrow loss to More Than Looks in the Breeders' Cup Mile, might have been honored as such with an Eclipse Award.

Johannes was otherwise flawless in 2024, landing the Shoemaker Mile (G1), Eddie Read (G2), San Gabriel (G2), City of Hope Mile (G2), and American (G3). However, the Dec. 26 San Gabriel was his most recent start, thus Johannes concedes not only experience at Saratoga, but recency as well.

"We're coming into it in great shape. He pretty much looks identical [to December]," trainer Tim Yakteen said. "He's always a horse that carries a great coat, and he carries his condition well. It's been an uneventful trip back to his first race, and hopefully we'll continue with that this week."

Johannes' two prior starts outside California, in his 2022 debut on dirt and the 2023 American Turf (G2), both at Churchill Downs, resulted in unplaced finishes.

Cutting back in distance from top-level successes going longer are Deterministic, who landed the nine-furlong Manhattan (G1) in early June, and Spirit of St Louis, who clinched the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) and Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs before finishing a dull sixth in the Manhattan as the favorite.

"He won the Gotham (G3) over a mile, and he's got the speed to do it. I don't think it will be an issue," trainer Miguel Clement said of Deterministic.

Think Big successfully stretched out to win the course-and-distance Kelso (G3) on July 5 after notching a pair of Grade 2 sprints in Kentucky during the spring. Third in the Kelso off a lengthy layoff was 2024 Woodbine Mile (G1) winner Win for the Money, who is joined by fellow Mark Casse trainee My Boy Prince.

The $750,000 Saratoga Derby (G1) over 1 3/16 miles on the turf is headed by Belmont Derby (G1) one-two Test Score and World Beater, but there is a strong European contingent in the field, led by Hotazhell.

Hotazhell earned a signature win last October in the Futurity Trophy (G1) at Doncaster, in which he defeated Delacroix by a nose. That rival subsequently went favored in the Epsom Derby (G1), and though he did not win there, rebounded to win the important Eclipse (G1) at Sandown on July 5.

Hotazhell finished fifth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the Eclipse, one race after running third in the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) behind the explosive Field of Gold. Needless to say, the Saratoga Derby marks a considerable drop in class for Hotazhell.