Johannes Set for Return in Search of More Glory in the GI Fourstardave
- Turf Diario
- Aug 2, 2025
- 3 min read
The son of Nyquist is set to run Saturday at Saratoga in the race that grants a direct berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Multiple graded stakes winner Johannes, bred in Kentucky by CUYATHY and trained by Tim Yakteen, will make his return this Saturday at Saratoga as the marquee contender in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1, 1 mile turf, $750,000), one of five graded events on the Whitney Day card. The Fourstardave also carries “Win and You’re In” status for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar in November.
The son of Nyquist, who has not raced since his Dec. 26 victory in the San Gabriel Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, boasts five graded wins, all with Beyer Speed Figures over 100. Johannes resumed training in late May, and his latest breeze came July 26 at Del Mar, where he comfortably covered 5 furlongs in 1:00 flat on the main track.
“We’re good. It would be a very long trip if we weren’t,” Yakteen joked. “He had his final tune-up and is ready. I’m happy with his condition; now we just need a little luck.”
Johannes’ 2023 campaign was spectacular: he reeled off four consecutive graded victories, including the Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita and the Eddie Read Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, the latter with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. He also finished second, just three-quarters of a length behind More Than Looks (More Than Ready), in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). He closed out the year with a win in the San Gabriel but was sidelined due to mild bone inflammation.
Yakteen had the Fourstardave circled on the calendar for some time and said his charge “looks identical to December. He always maintains good condition, and his preparation has been very calm.” Johannes, who will break from post 3 under Umberto Rispoli, will become Yakteen’s first trainee to surpass $1 million in career earnings.
Among his rivals is Deterministic (8, Kendrick Carmouche), winner of the Manhattan Stakes (G1) on this turf course June 8. Trained by Miguel Clement, the Liam’s Map gelding edged Integration (Quality Road) by a nose and later saw stablemate Far Bridge (English Channel), multiple graded winner, capture the Bowling Green (G2).
“He’s spectacular. He won the Gotham over a mile last year, has plenty of speed, and the shorter distance won’t be a problem,” Clement said confidently.
Deterministic has never finished off the board in seven turf starts and owns graded wins including the 2023 Virginia Derby (G3), Hill Prince (G3), and the Fort Marcy (G2), where he set a track record in May.
Chad Brown, five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, will send out two top contenders: Spirit of St Louis (7, Manny Franco), multiple Grade 1 winner bred in New York, and the French import Intellect (6, Flavien Prat), who arrives off back-to-back graded placings at Saratoga.
Spirit of St Louis, a 6-year-old Medaglia d’Oro gelding, captured the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park and the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs this year, though he was a disappointing sixth in the Manhattan.
Intellect (Intello) has shown consistency since arriving in the U.S., with three close finishes in three starts, including placings in the Poker (G3) and Kelso (G3) Stakes, both at this track and distance.
Representing Canada is My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince, 2, José Ortiz), third in the Highlander (G2) and a leading figure in Canadian turf racing, crowned 2023 Canadian Champion 2-Year-Old Male. He is trained by Mark Casse, who also has Win for the Money (Mohaymen, 5, Dylan Davis), third in the Kelso and last year’s Woodbine Mile (G1) winner.
Rounding out the field are Kelso (G3) winner Think Big (Twirling Candy, 4, Luis Sáez), grandson of Argentine mare Qué Piensa Cat (Easing Along); triple graded stakes winner Neat (Constitution, 10, Junior Alvarado); G3 winner Lagynos (Kantharos, 9, Joel Rosario); and graded stakes-placed Cugino (Twirling Candy, 1, Irad Ortiz Jr.).
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