The Amsterdam Stakes

Last year, as a two-year-old, City Zip captured all three of the major races for his age at Saratoga. In his first start at the Spa this year he continued to show his dominance in a hard fought one length win over Speightstown.

City Zip (white blinkers) captures the Amsterdam

The Jim Dandy Stakes

Swaps and Wood Memorial winner Congaree shipped in from California and figured to be the easy winner. Sent off at 2 to5  Congaree stayed near pace setting Free of Love, battled for the lead then tired. At the wire, the Lukas trained Scorpion nipped the tiring but game Free of Love to win by a half a length. Congaree suffered a knee injury and will be out for the year.

D Wayne Lukas saddles Scorpion for the Jim Dandy

Scorpion passes Free of Love near the wire

Jockey Gary Stevens

The Vanderbilt Handicap

     Many nationally known jockeys are known to make appearances at the Spa but Sunday was a day for some prominent but lesser known jockeys. In to ride Just Call Me Carl in the Vanderbilt Handicap was Travis Dunkelberger. While not a household name, at the time of the race, Dunkelberger had more wins than any other jockey in the country. Later in the week Travis broke his collarbone and will be out of action for a spell. He has already slipped in the standings.

     Another jockey less familiar with east coast fans is Garrett Gomez. Garrett was a top rider in the Midwest before moving to Southern California in November of 1997.

Travis Dunkelberger

Garrett's journey to Saratoga was rewarded with a length and a half victory in the Vanderbilt Handicap on Five Star Day with a sizzling time of  1:08.57. Five Star Day is owned by Columbine Stable and Kitchwa Stables and is trained by C. Beau Greely.

Five Star Day wins Vanderbilt Handicap