SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – What appeared a wide-open race on paper turned out to be a one horse affair on the racetrack after Smoken Wicked drew off to a dominant and very impressive 5 3/4-length victory over Gunmetal in Friday’s $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga.
Smoken Wicked, who finished third in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special and fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful here last summer, shipped back to New York for the Grade 2 Amsterdam off a game, second-place effort in the seven-furlong Maxfield Stakes four weeks earlier over his home base at Churchill Downs. Beaten 2 3/4 lengths by the undefeated Verifire after engaging in a three-horse duel for the lead that included the eventual winner.
With Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard once again, Smoken Wicked broke in a bit at the start before rushing up to force the early pace while racing between the 8-5 favorite Macho Music and pace-pressing Gunmetal. Macho Music was the first to retreat with Smoken Wicked ultimately disposing of Gunmetal upon settling into the stretch before steadily increasing his advantage readily to the end.
Gunmetal, never a factor following a slow start making his local debut in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens, showed improved speed after a cleaner beginning to stalk the early leaders three wide from the outset. He turned into the stretch on even terms with the winner before ultimately proving no match, holding safe a mild rally from Gate to Wire to prove second best.
The win was the fifth in 13 starts for Smoken Wicked, a son of Bobby’s Wicked One trained by Dallas Stewart for Valene Farms LLC. He completed 6 1/2 furlongs over a fast strip in 1:15.64 seconds and paid $7.50.
“His last race was very solid, he got beat by a pretty dominant horse,” Stewart said. “He’s trained very well since and we knew he liked this track. He’s a good shipper and held his weight good. He looked very dominant in the paddock to me and showed up today.”
Stewart was pleased by the way Smoken Wicked got out of the blocks in the Amsterdam.
“He looked like he got Macho Music right away, which I liked,” Stewart continued. “We let him do his thing down the backside and then Brian moved up to him on the turn and challenged him a little bit, not too much, and then he pushed the buttons. He rode him beautifully.”
Stewart was noncommittal when asked if he’d bring Smoken Wicked back again later in the meet with the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes on Aug. 23 the next logical stop.
“We’ve got a lot to think about,” said Stewart, who admitted the Breeders’ Cup Sprint is the ultimate goal as the season progresses.”
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