Full Field Set for Amsterdam

[Wandering Eyes]

Saratoga’s GII Amsterdam S. has attracted a competitive field of 12 sophomore colts for Sunday’s renewal, many of whom are exiting Belmont’s GI Woody Stephens S. June 8. While that race’s winner Hog Creek Hustle (Overanalyze) has opted to train right up to the Aug. 24 GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S., runner-up Nitrous (Tapit) will line up as one of the favorites Sunday. Tabbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ at the Spa last year, the gray opened his sophomore account with a win in the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Jan. 27. Fourth in Oaklawn’s Gazebo S. Mar. 23, he won the Bachelor S. in Hot Springs Apr. 27 prior to his effort in the Woody Stephens.

“He got a favorable setup in the Woody Stephens and I think Ricardo and Steve have figured out the way he wants to be ridden,” David Fiske, Winchell’s racing and bloodstock manager, told the NYRA notes team. “It looks like he’s a closing sprinter, so he seems to have done well the past three races or so. He just needs some pace in front of him. Typically, that’s not a problem at Saratoga. Hopefully, he can get up on Sunday.”

Fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Honest Mischief (Into Mischief) did not fare as well in the Woody Stephens, finishing sixth after traveling wide in the lane. Second to Soldado (Verrazano) on debut at Gulfstream Feb. 2, the bay romped by eight lengths next out at Keeneland Apr. 6, earning a 97 Beyer in an effort impressive enough to convince Chad Brown to send him right into Grade I company in the Woody next out.

Shancealot (Shanghai Bobby) put his perfect record on the line as he makes his first foray into black-type company Sunday. A debut winner in Hallandale Feb. 16, he resurfaced four months later at Monmouth Park, wiring an optional claimer by 6 1/4 lengths June 23.

Mark Casse sends out an intriguing pair in unbeaten Super Comet (Super Saver) and Strike Silver (Violence). Super Comet was named a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after a good-looking debut score at Churchill Downs June 2 and followed suit with an optional claimer triumph there just 19 days later. A close second in the GIII Sanford S. here last summer, Strike Silver won Keeneland’s Indian Summer S. on the grass last season. He made his first two starts on the lawn this term, including a third in Belmont’s Paradise Creek S. May 25, and was fourth after setting the early pace in the Woody.

“I thought his maiden win was really impressive because he got away a little slow,” Casse said of Super Comet. “He was running seven eighths, which is always difficult for a first-time starter, but he kind of had to rush up and he was wide and I figured he might flatten out a little bit and run third or fourth, but he took off which was amazing. I came back and ran him a little quicker than I would like, especially off of that effort, but it aligned well with the Amsterdam, so I already had that race in mind. Hopefully, his biggest race is his next one.”

 

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