A number of stakes winner Valentine Sweet , seeking his first graded victory, faces no straightforward job within the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course July 26, when he’ll encounter a number of up-and-coming 3-year-olds.
A five-time winner in 10 begins, Valentine Sweet has earned simply shy of a half-million {dollars} whereas successful 4 stakes. The largest hurdle up to now for the Justify colt to clear is including a graded win to his résumé.
In two makes an attempt, each over seven furlongs on the grade 1 stage, Valentine Sweet was soundly crushed. The colt cuts again to six 1/2 furlongs following his fifth-place end within the June 8 Woody Stephens.
Bred by Pine Creek LP, Valentine Sweet was a $250,000 buy on the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale by Jackpot Farm, who owns the colt alongside William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Whispering Oaks Farm, and Coteau Grove Farms.
The variety of challengers is small, however every colt has proven progressing expertise that might make him a viable candidate to take a step ahead.
Pure Pressure wins an allowance at Churchill Downs
Juddmonte homebred Pure Pressure received simply in each profession begins, together with a last-out five-length allowance rating going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs June 19. Overseen by coach Brad Cox’s son and assistant Blake, the Structure colt has settled into Saratoga effectively, recording a bullet half-mile in :47 July 13.
“He looks as if he likes it up right here,” stated the youthful Cox. “He’s a horse that at all times places lots into his works. He does not want any firm, he is aware of his job.”
Donegal Racing’s Donegal Momentum debuted going six furlongs over a muddy Aqueduct Racetrack floor with an 8 1/4-length victory Could 16. The Uncle Mo colt then was defeated a half-length by 4-year-old Floor to Air in a one-turn mile at Aqueduct June 27.
“This can be a huge step up in school,” stated coach Tom Morley. “From what I am gauging, it’s a very contentious subject of unexposed 3-year-old colts who’re attempting to make a splash on the scene.”
Godolphin additionally joins the get together with homebred Jefferson Road . A two-time winner in 5 begins, each scores have come by open lengths, together with his June 8 allowance victory on the Spa by eight lengths going this distance. His three defeats, all third-place finishes, have come to stakes-caliber horses Basic Accomplice , Be You , and Raging Torrent .
“I simply hope he runs in addition to he did final time,” stated coach Invoice Mott. “They get stronger as they go alongside, and he is slowly labored his option to that.”
Rounding out the sphere is Siena Farm and WinStar Farm’s World File . Following an eye catching 6 1/4-length maiden win at Churchill Downs Could 27, the son of Gun Runner ran third, crushed 2 3/4 lengths, behind Raging Torrent and Otto the Conqueror within the June 30 Maxfield Stakes.
The Amsterdam is race three with submit time at 2:18 p.m. ET.
Entries: Amsterdam S. (G2)
Saratoga Race Course, Friday, July 26, 2024, Race 3
- Grade II
- 6 1/2f
- Grime
- $200,000
- 3 yo
- 2:18 PM (native)