King Kranz Holds Royal Edge in Amsterdam

In the money in eight of his 10 lifetime starts and coming off a sharp score last time out, King Kranz looks like the horse to beat in the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course July 30. The Amsterdam drew eight sophomores who will travel 6 1/2 furlongs.

King Kranz got up after coming wide off the turn to take the Gold Fever Stakes in the slop at Belmont Park last time out. He ran third in the Bay Shore (gr. III) before that, also in the mud. He has enough early speed to find a friendly spot early, and won near the lead in the Lost in the Fog Stakes earlier this season. His first start came at Saratoga last August and while he didn’t fire, that could be chalked up to his being green.

Counterforce drew the rail, which will likely leave him needing to come from behind, as he’s shown little early lick in his three last outings. He was a stakes winner at Oaklawn Park early this season but was not competitive last time out in the Woody Stephens (gr. II).

Maniacal should be forwardly placed, as he showed speed in each of his three starts. Unlike most progeny of Kitten's Joy  , he not only shows early speed, but wants to sprint on the main track. He has won two in a row and although he tries stakes company for the first time, he could be any kind. Uncle Vinny was put up to first in the Sanford Stakes (gr. III) a year ago but hasn’t crossed the wire first since his maiden score first time out. He was third in both the Hopeful (gr. I) and the Long Branch Stakes.

Mind Your Biscuits tries open company for the first time. He has been playing with fellow New York-breds in his eight starts, and enters off a daylight score in a first-level allowance event. He looks quick enough to find a pleasing spot from the outside gate and could pounce from there if he’s good enough. It’s All Relevant failed to threaten in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) and has sought out allowance company since with mixed results.

Ready Dancer has tried graded company three times without success, but comes in off a sharp allowance tally going nine furlongs. Quijote ran second in the Jimmy Winkfield  in March but needs to show more here.