The Amsterdam – Grade II
6 1/2 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $200.000 Open 3 Year Olds.

1st Iron Mine Fractious Silvera Ru

It usually takes a crazy fast early pace to see the three wide gates fill the first three spots home but whilst this was a fast pace it wasn’t outside the realms of possibility some are. This gelding who had failed in the Stephens last time never really getting going from a similar position found a good spot early, three wide but with cover and close enough to be keeping an eye on things up front. When they started to pull up in front the three widest horses gained advantage as the weakening horses took out some of the stalkers and closers and this one quickened very nicely to storm home a convincing winner. I mentioned in my preview for this race that i wasn’t really sure what this horses best trip was and to be honest i am not really now despite winning this good sprint in a competitive time. I think he has a future that will give him plenty of choices going forward.

2nd Rogue Commando Mb Stables Velazquez J R

Outside the winner i thought he had taken the perfect route stalking his stable mate and looking ready to pounce but Iron Mine was just a bit sharper with his turn of foot and whilst he kept on gamely he always looked held. This horse has now had four seconds at graded level in six races since he was bought after a TUP optional claimer win and if any horse deserves a good win before the season is over it is this one.

3rd Palace Guard Sccj Stables Geroux F

Ran a cracker fro the owner coming from furthest back and running a brave third. I thought for a moment he was going to sprint past them but the deeper closers seem to have a little stutter thrown into their runs with this new engine and his challenge in the end just wasn’t sustained. I like what he did here today and feel sure he has a bright future.

4th Aladdins Genie Mb Stables Saez L

It stands to reason that one of the Mb Stables horses would be sent and it was this one in the end that made the front early on. It wasn’t a bad tactic but he used a lot up running the lead but wide after failing to get the rail and in the end that type of run tends to fade at the end these days. He kept on well to be beaten just a length and one feels that if he had been drawn in and ridden with a little more restraint he could’ve got even closer.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES