American Man

The 34th running of the GII Amsterdam Stakes was nothing short of a thriller as Local Knowledge (Yaupon--Chestnut Street, by Scat Daddy) refused to lose Friday afternoon, and the race also marked the 800th graded win for Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. A $625,000 OBS April purchase from a year ago, Local Knowledge was stepping into graded stakes company for the first time. The lightly raced colt won his debut at Keeneland last October, then headed to the sidelines for eight months. The bay returned as the favorite in...

We knew he was fast, and he more than justified the betting public's faith in his graded stakes debut. Juddmonte's Deep Flame (Into Mischief) could not be caught in the lane, striding home under little pressure to claim his first black-type victory in the GIII Maxfield Stakes on closing day at Churchill Downs. Deep Flame debuted Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds and ran second to eventual stakes winner Trouble Calling (Dialed In). He returned Apr. 4 at Keeneland to post another runner-up effort, this time Gilded Bandit (Charlatan), who would...

Gervais Racing's American Man (Maclean's Music) was overshadowed on paper and on the tote by 'TDN Rising Stars' presented by Hagyard Munnings Challenge (Munnings) and Doublecents (Goldencents), but capitalized on a stalk-and-pounce trip to win for the second time in three career appearances. The $120,000 KEESEP yearling turned $475,000 OBS April breezer led throughout to graduate at first asking as the favorite at Oaklawn Mar. 17, but any chances of another speed try were dashed when he was bothered at the break of a first-level allowance in Hot Springs Apr....