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.