Amsterdam J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

A field of nine sophomore colts will travel 6 1/2 furlongs to contest the
$150,000 Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga on Monday. With the lack of a standout in
the group, we’ll shop for value and look for an upset in this spot.

HOLY CANYON (Holy Bull) started his career in April with two impressive wins,
including a dominant 6 1/4-length score in his debut for conditioner Allen Jerkens.
In his third try, the three-year-old was dueling on the front with the speedy
Rondo (Grand Slam) and couldn’t keep pace with that older, more accomplished
foe, but still gave a good account of himself. We like the fact that the bay
will be facing only runners in his age group, and we expect him to be a big
factor from the opening bell. Jean-Luc Samyn will pilot the colt, who sizzled a
bullet five-eighths in :58 3/5 over this oval in preparation for this event.

MOST DISTINGUISHED (Dixie Union) was a game second in the Woody Stephens
Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) last out and is improving at the right time for Nick Zito.
The bay sophomore is very tactical and could lay anywhere early in the race,
which could give him a big edge in this group. A half-mile bullet in a smashing
:46 4/5 over the track signals his readiness. Rafael Bejarano will guide the
Kentucky-bred.

STARBASE (Tale of the Cat) has faced stakes foes in seven of his last eight
tries for D. Wayne Lukas and is the most battle-tested runner in the group. The
bay was a strong second in the Lexington S. (G2) three prior, and was beaten
less than one length for second in the grassy Arlington Classic S. (G3) most
recently. We love the cut back to sprint distances for the colt, and it wouldn’t
shock us to see him challenging for the win late. Cornelio Velasquez has the
riding assignment.

ROMAN’S RUN (Tiznow) has come to hand for trainer Dale Romans, and the late
runner could get a small piece with a swift pace at which to run. The
improving dark bay took his last pair at Churchill Downs and has strong BRIS Late
Pace figures, giving rider Garrett Gomez some ammunition to work with in the
latter stages. We’re not sure if the Kentucky-bred is good enough to top these,
but a top-four placing is well within reach.

Recent Alysheba Breeders’ Cup S. hero FORTY GRAMS (Distorted Humor) has faced stakes foes
in six consecutive outings at five different tracks and is classy enough to
compete for a placing against this group. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the
chestnut has competed in mainly route races but is another who could benefit
from the return to sprint racing. Edgar Prado will ride the colt, who could be
coming late.

ELITE SQUADRON (Officer) has looked like a new animal in his two tries in
2007 for conditioner James Baker, rolling to a pair of wins at Churchill Downs.
The chestnut colt displayed a lot of early gas versus lesser, and with the lack
of a true front runner in this one, the three-year-old could find himself in the
mix for a long time. We’d suggest using this one in the bottom of your exotics
beneath Calvin Borel.

OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place) has yet to live up to the promise he showed when
taking his first two starts and would need a career best to defeat this field.
In the barn of Bill Badgett for his last three starts, the chestnut was a nice allowance/optional
claiming
winner two back, but the fact that all three of his wins have come at Belmont
concerns us. We’ll let him beat us under Kent Desormeaux. SIR FIVE STAR (Five
Star Day) has never been very competitive with this kind and we’ll look
elsewhere. AMERICANUS (Yonaguska) looks like a nice claim from Gary Contessa’s barn
but will need further improvement to top these.