Jackie’s Warrior Dominant In Amsterdam, Brings Asmussen Closer To Record

After a thunderous deluge delayed the Grade 2 Amsterdam for thirty minutes, soaking the sealed Saratoga surface, Jackie’s Warrior showed that the delay and the track were no trouble at all for the son of Maclean’s Music.

At Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the 3-year-old’s multi-length triumph brought Steve Asmussen another victory closer to passing Dale Baird and becoming racing’s winningest trainer.

A troubled break in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens last time out compromised Jackie’s Warrior’s chances at the victory on the Belmont Stakes undercard, with Drain the Clock taking that G1 stakes race. The two hooked up again early in the G2 Amsterdam, dueling for the first couple of furlongs out of the gate.

As the field of six entered the turn, Jackie’s Warrior accelerated, leaving Drain the Clock in his wake, stretching his lead out to five lengths before they hit the stretch.

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Jackie’s Warrior lengthened his lead in the stretch, easily pulling away from the rest of the field with jockey Joel Rosario chilly in the saddle.

Behind him, Crowded Trade looked poised to make a move on the rail, Drain the Clock in the center of the track trying as well, but neither had enough to catch up to the Asmussen trainee. Rosario eased his colt in the last part of the stretch, the margin of victory 7 1/4 lengths.

The final time for the 6 1/2-furlong G2 Amsterdam was 1:15.46. Drain the Clock, Crowded Trade, Flash of Mischief, Mister Luigi, and River Dog rounded out the order of finish.

Jackie’s Warrior paid $3.00, $2.20, and $2.10. Drain the Clock paid $2.90 and $2.50. Crowded Trade paid $3.00 to show.

“He won on an off track today, which is the first time, and to get that variable out of the way knowing that weather doesn’t care how important we think something is, that he’ll be able to handle that going forward,” Asmussen stated after the race. “With his performance today on top of what he did in the Pat Day Mile, he’ll have a lot to say in the one-turn division the rest of the year.

“He broke really well today; better than last time. He’s fast and then he just kept going. That’s what he likes to do,” Rosario said after the Amsterdam.

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