Holy Boss Extends Streak in Amsterdam

Jerry Durant's Holy Boss extended his winning streak to four with his first graded score in the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (gr. II) Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.



The 3-year-old son of Street Boss   stalked pacesetter Victory Is Sweet, a length back, through the early stages of the 6 1/2-furlong race, made a move to the outside exiting the turn and outdueled Requite in the stretch to win by 2 1/4 lengths.



With Ricardo Santana, Jr. aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen, the winner hit the wire in 1:15.38 after Victory Is Sweet opened with fractions of :22.17 and :44.83 through a half-mile.

"It was a perfect race for him," Santana said. "I saw an open spot as I was turning into home. I asked him to go and he did."

Requite launched his run simultaneously from the rail, but was no match for Holy Boss. Barbados closed to finish third, 3 3/4 lengths behind.

"I had a beautiful trip," said Requite's jockey, Javier Castellano. "I saved all the ground stalking on the inside on the rail; that's where I wanted to be. I give the winner credit he was much the best. I had a perfect trip, he was just second best today."



Holy Boss delivered $6.90, $3.90, and $2.70 across the board. Requite paid $5.20 and $3.40, while Barbados returned $2.70 to show.



Bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs, out of the Holy Bull mare Holy Grace, Holy Boss began his win streak in March, when he won an allowance/optional claiming event at Oaklawn Park. He followed that with victories in the Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn April 10 and in the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 16. He now has a 5-1-0 record from eight starts, with earnings of $330,490.

"I love him winning a race on this stage," said Asmussen, who also indicated Holy Boss could be headed to the $500,000 King's Bishop (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 29. "His Chick Lang, I think, validated what we thought we were seeing at Oaklawn. He ran really well there. ... I thought, if anything, he showed more maturity today than he has in any of his previous races and looked very good to the wire."

Victory is Sweet faded to finish fourth, followed by Bluegrass Singer and two-time graded winner March, to complete the order of finish. The Great War was scratched.