King Kranz returns from layoff in Amsterdam

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – King Kranz is the most accomplished of the eight 3-year-olds in Saturday’s Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga. But he’s also been idle for 12 weeks, which could leave him vulnerable as one of the favorites in the six-furlong dash that serves as a prep for the Grade 1 King’s Bishop later in the meet.

King Kranz has not started since splashing to a three-quarter-length victory as the 3-2 favorite in the six-furlong Gold Fever Stakes on May 6 at Belmont Park. He missed the Woody Stephens Stakes last month due to a fever and has recorded only three official workouts since May 28.

“Obviously, our main goal this summer is the King’s Bishop, so we just decided to freshen him up a little after he missed the Woody Stephens,” trainer John Terranova said. “This is more of a prep, looking to get a good run into him coming back to set him up for the King’s Bishop. I just hope he’s tight enough and fit enough to make a big impact on Saturday.”

Counterforce, who drew the rail, is the only other stakes winner in the field, having won Oaklawn Park’s Bachelor Stakes in his third career start April 15. He has been away seven weeks since finishing a nonthreatening eighth in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens.

Maniacal and Mind Your Biscuits are up-and-coming sprinters who demand attention. Maniacal has won both of his starts at 3 and appears to be the one to catch in the Amsterdam. Mind Your Biscuits tries open company for the first time after trouncing New York-bred allowance foes by nine lengths July 4.

Quijote ran well in defeat while facing older competition earlier this month at Indiana Grand. He returns to New York for the first time since finishing second, a length in front of King Kranz, last March at Aqueduct in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes.

KEY CONTENDERS

King Kranz, by Munnings

Last 3 Beyers: 81-98-88

◗ Terranova would not mind a wet track since King Kranz not only won the Gold Fever in the slop but also finished second over a muddy strip four weeks earlier in the Grade 3 Bay Shore.

Counterforce, by Smart Strike

Last 3 Beyers: 79-86-85

◗ Came from last to finish second in the Chick Lang Stakes and from next to last to win the Bachelor and thus could be compromised by what appears to be a lack of speed in this lineup.