By Joe Bianca
A septet of three-year-olds from all different directions will meet in the Grade II Amsterdam S., with all of them looking for their first graded score, and all looking like they rate a fair shot.
Zayat Stables' King Kranz (Munnings) brings the most accomplished resume into the race, having run second in a pair of graded stakes, including a runner-up finish to 'TDN Rising Star' Unified (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GIII Bay Shore S. Apr. 9 at Aqueduct. The dark bay was most recently seen closing to win the Gold Fever S. May 6 at Belmont, his second career stakes triumph.
Wesley Ward bred, owns and trains Maniacal (Kitten's Joy), who has strung two impressive wins together since returning off over a year on the bench Apr. 29. Last out June 10 at Belmont, the chestnut dueled on a fast pace throughout and held gamely for a half-length tally.
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Counterforce (Smart Strike), winner of the Bachelor S. Apr. 15 at Oaklawn, will likely be coming with a strong late run and would appreciate some hitting up front. Finishing second to 'TDN Rising Star' Justin Squared (Zensational) in the May 21 Chick Lang S. at Pimlico, the Steve Asmussen trainee was last seen finishing a disappointing eighth in the GII Woody Stephens S. June 11 at Belmont.
Its All Relevant (Hard Spun) is an interesting longshot. The $360,000 KEESEP buy earned a 97 Beyer for his allowance win May 21 at Belmont–second highest in the field, one point being King Kranz's Bay Shore effort–and turns back in distance after setting a blistering pace going 1 1/16 miles June 24 at Big Sandy.
New York-bred Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) also looks dangerous stepping into open company. The Robert N. Falcone, Jr. pupil has come to hand nicely this year, running second at just under 13-1 in the Mike Lee S. May 30 at Belmont and blowing away a first of state-bred allowance foes by 9 1/4 lengths July 4 with a 94 Beyer.
Ready Dancer (More Than Ready) will scratch after his connections opted to run him in Friday's Curlin S.
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