The Amsterdam (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SAR- For Three Year Olds
Six and a Half Furlongs on the Dirt
August 1, 2021

The Grade 2 Amsterdam will once again bring together some top three year old sprinters on a weekend that has plenty of top flight sprinting options across the country. It will also return to its typical condition of being run at six and a half furlongs instead of just six, as it was last year. The purse is also restored to its $200.000, so it is encouraging to see this. That race last year was won by Carnoustie, out of Smokey Stover. He’d follow up the win by taking the Grade 1 Vosburg at BEL, getting him into the BC Sprint. He’s still active now, but mainly being seen in open allowances. Our field of nine would certainly love to follow that lead. In looking at the field, our entrants have accomplished a lot, but we don’t really have a headliner here, giving us the makings of a classic, up for grabs race. Let’s meet the runners!

#1- Shifu Tan (Keikowin Racing, ridden by M Franco)- This horse seems to be on the verge of his first graded win after two strong second place performances at the other two NYRA tracks. In April, he was second in the Grade 3 Bay Shore after setting the pace, then last month was the runner up at the Grade 1 Stephens after a stalking trip. Both races saw him run within a half length. If he can duplicate those runs here, I feel he should win the race, and will give him the nod as my pick.

#2- Plan To Wheel (Fractious, ridden by E Cancel)- By winning the Grade 3 Gotham, Plan To Wheel was able to get into the KYD, and he would run in both that and the PRK in May. Unfortunately for the trainer, he was in the back half of the field in both of them. He was better in the LA Derby afterwards, but will now run under a mile for the first time in over a year.

#3- Snagglepuss (Mb Stables, ridden by J Alvarado)- This one spent his two year old season running on the grass, but after Mb Stables picked him up in private sales for $30.000 in January, it’s been all on the dirt since. Two wins in overnights set the tone for him to try an ungraded stake, and he’d be fourth in the $100.000 Kellys Landing. The most encouraging thing about him are his SRF’s, and we know that Mb can make any needed adjustments after the Kellys Landing.

#4- Amazing Twizt (Asgar, ridden by R Santana Jr)- As a two year old, Amazing Twizt ran often in NM bred stakes, but it would not be until the start of this year that he finally began winning those races. Overall now, he has five wins in eleven starts, and has some strong race times in six furlongs races this year even if the SRF’s are not as impressive. Comes off an N2X win at PRX, where he did only carry 113 pounds, but he has certainly earned the chance to run here.

#5- Dragonheart Hanny (Jive Inc, ridden by J A Vargas Jr)- After winning his last two races, and running second the two times prior to that, this gelding is going to get the chance to make his graded debut. He’s made a couple starts in NM-bred stakes, winning one. SRF’s are heading in the right direction, so while you’re hot, this is the time to make the move up. Certainly will be in the mix.

#6- Golden Treasure (Mb Stables, ridden by J L Ortiz)- Another great private sales purchase by Mb Stables, as he picked this one up for $55.000 last December. Since then, he’s won two of four, highlighted by the $125.000 Woodstock Stakes. He’s also been able to hit the board in each of the Grade 3 Bay Shore and Dwyer, just missing out in the latter on the win. He should like cutting back on the distance to the Woodstock level and seems to be the trainer’s better option in the race.

#7- Elusive Quality (Robeth, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- It took this gelding seven races, and moving off of the grass to finally break his maiden. Afterwards, it was back to the turf, and it did not go well. So, last month, he was run in the $50.000 Ontario County Stakes at FL and was very impressive in winning the race, in what was a better effort than the 86 SRF will make it out to be. Seems to be peaking now, with his adds right, but cannot have a let down now.

#8- Rotarian (Mb Stables, ridden by L Saez)- The third of the horses that Mb Stables will bring to the gate, and one with an interesting path. Despite never winning a race, Rotarian ran in two Grade 2’s and a Grade 3 before the trainer finally decided to put him back in a MSW. You don’t usually see that from Mb. He’d win the MSW, then $125.000 Queenston. Throw out his races at over a mile, and his past performances get much more appealing.

#9- Rullah Party Crystal (Martyparty, ridden by J Rosario)- This gelding has won four of eight races thus far, and that includes that Grade 3 Barrera at SA in May. That win means only he and Plan To Wheel are graded winners in this field. Off of that, he was dropped into an optional claimer, which always gets my attention, and then was only seventh of eight in that race. I hope there’s a reason for it. I’d pick him if it were not for that race.

Prediction: 1-6-8-5

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES