Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farm’s KODIAK KOWBOY (Posse) wore down the
pacesetting 8-5 favorite Desert Key (E Dubai) in the shadow of the wire to take
Monday’s $150,000
Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga. Making his first start for trainer Larry
Jones, last year’s Canadian champion juvenile was reserved in fourth through an
opening quarter in :21 3/5. Kodiak Kowboy advanced into a chasing second through
a half-mile in :44, but Desert Key still looked to be traveling in hand turning
for home. As the stretch run unfolded, Desert Key began to tire, and Kodiak
Kowboy continued his relentless pursuit beneath Gabriel Saez. Although the
longtime leader tried his utmost to hold on, Kodiak Kowboy was the stronger of
the pair late and prevailed by a head.
Jones tipped his hat to Kodiak Kowboy’s former trainer Steve Asmussen, and
praised the ride given by Saez.
“I have to give credit to Steve,” Jones said. “He was already pointed to the
race. All I had to do was not mess it up. Gabriel has stepped up to the plate
every time I’ve called upon him. He’ll not be out-ridden. Once you get even with
him, you’re in trouble.”
After completing 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15 2/5 on the fast track, the winner
returned $6.10, $3 and $2.70. Desert Key yielded $2.90 and $2.60 for finishing 4
1/2 lengths ahead of the Devereux (Forestry), who paid $3.90 at 12-1. The exacta
was worth $16.60, and the 5-3-2 trifecta totaled $81. It was another 6 1/2
lengths back to Silver Edition (Silver Deputy) in fourth, followed by Excess
Capital (Distorted Humor); Fidelio (Awesome Again), who never recovered after
stumbling badly at the start; and Eaton’s Gift (Johannesburg), who paid the
price after trying to run with Desert Key early.
Kodiak Kowboy’s lifetime line now reads 11-6-2-1, $684,058. The bay put
together a productive juvenile campaign with victories in the Saratoga Special
S. (G2), Bashford Manor S. (G3) and Victoria S. at Woodbine while placing in the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Futurity S. (G2). An impressive
allowance/optional claiming winner in his three-year-old debut at Oaklawn,
Kodiak Kowboy was last seen finishing second in the Derby Trial S. to Macho
Again (Macho Uno), who captured Sunday’s Jim Dandy S. (G2).
Bred by Hartwell Farm in Kentucky, Kodiak Kowboy brought $40,000 as a
weanling at the 2005 Keeneland November Sale, and he was pinhooked for $70,000
at last year’s OBS August Yearling Sale. He is the second registered foal from
the unraced Coronado’s Quest mare Kokadrie, who is a half-sister to Grade
1-winning millionaire West by West (Gone West). Kokadrie also has an unnamed
juvenile colt by Golden Missile and a 2008 colt by Lion Heart.
Kodiak Kowboy will now aim for the August 23 King’s Bishop S. (G1), where he
will try to hand Jones his second straight victory in the seven-furlong race.
Last year, Jones saddled Hard Spun to a decisive King’s Bishop score.
“Kodiak Kowboy needed this race, since it had been a while since he had run
(April 26),” Jones said. “The King’s Bishop is our target. It would be nice to
win it again this year.”