Amsterdam

A field of nine will assemble for Sunday’s $150,000 Amsterdam H. (G2) for
three-year-olds at Saratoga and we like SILVER TRAIN (Old Trieste), who will make his first
start for Richard Dutrow since the trainer returned from his suspension.
The dark bay colt comes off a 6 3/4-length victory against allowance company in
preparation for this one, earning a BRIS Speed figure of 106 in the process, the
highest of his career. Dutrow has won two of his last five at this meet and
jockey Edgar Prado has enjoyed his own share of success at the Spa, winning at a 21
percent clip and booting home 10 winners over the past week.

VICARAGE (Vicar) comes off an impressive performance in the six-furlong Smoke
Glacken S. at Belmont, posting a 4 1/4-length decision. Trainer Todd Pletcher
and jockey John Velazquez are on fire this meet, posting 12 wins over the past
two weeks when paired together. Vicarage recorded a 104 Speed figure in the Smoke Glacken and has earned BRIS E2 Pace ratings of 100 or better in his past six
starts. The dark bay comes off of a sharp work for Pletcher on August 1, working a half-mile in :48 1/5, and should be on the front end of the field
at the conclusion of this six-furlong affair.

MIDDLE EARTH (Dixieland Band) was probably stretched beyond his limitations
last out in the Dwyer S. (G2) at 1 1/16 miles. The cutback in distance should
help him out, as he has shown an affinity for one-turn races, posting a record
of 8-2-4-1 in sprint distances. He should finish well for conditioner Nick Zito.
Ramon Dominguez replaces regular rider Gary Stevens.

LeComte S. (G3) winner STORM SURGE (Storm Cat) is winless since that neck
victory at Fair Grounds but finished third in his next three, including a valiant effort in the Lexington S. (G2) after enduring
bumping in the early going. The dark bay colt received E1 and E2 figures of 110 and 119,
respectively, for that effort. The Dallas Stewart trainee enters off a sixth-place outing in the
Lone Star Derby (G3), but should fair better after a two-month freshening.
Robby Albarado returns to ride. 

GAMBLERS SLEW (Metfield) has early speed, which should work to the bay colt’s
benefit. The Jody Hammett trainee could improve while returning to the dirt and
will be making his first start away from Woodbine. SANTANA STRINGS (Weaton)
exits a two-length score in the Alysheba Breeders’ Cup S. at Sunday’s distance and has good late
speed, as shown in the Lost Code Breeders’ Cup when he rallied to come just
three parts of a length shy of winning that one. With morning-line odds of 8-1,
he could be a good money play.

MADDY’S LION (Lion Hearted) has shown previous success at six furlongs and
could get up to grab part. SOCIAL PROBATION (Jules) also exhibits nice late
speed, earning 110 and 111 Late Pace figures against allowance foes in his last
two starts. He comes into this one in good form for trainer Carl Nafzger. GOING
WILD (Golden Missile) exits a sixth in the Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup S. (G2)
and could improve off a 57-day layoff, but we will let him beat us.