New York Thunder pulls off upset romp in Amsterdam

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — New York Thunder rattled the landscape of the 3-year-old sprint division with a devastatingly easy 7 1/2-length front-running victory in Friday’s Grade 2, $194,000 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga.

In what was his first start on dirt, New York Thunder, under Tyler Gaffalione, jumped sharp from the gate from his outside post, was able to clear the field when the other speed, Ryvit, bobbled at the break. New York Thunder motored through a quarter in 21.48 seconds, a half-mile in 43.56, shed a bid from favorite Drew’s Gold approaching the quarter pole, and, despite not switching to his correct lead until very late, cruised home an easy winner.

Deer District got up for second by a nose over Drew’s Gold. Gilmore and Ryvit completed the order of finish.

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New York Thunder’s final time of 1:14.65 for 6 1/2 furlongs was .91 seconds off the track record of Quality Road (1:13.74), set in this race in 2009. New York Thunder returned $13 as the fourth choice in the field.

New York Thunder was given a 110 Beyer Speed Figure, the top figure for a 3-year-old in 2023.

The win kept New York Thunder, a Kentucky-bred son of Nyquist, unbeaten in four starts. He won twice previously on synthetic — at Gulfstream and Woodbine — and once on turf.

Trainer Jorge Delgado had New York Thunder entered in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on dirt at Belmont Park June 10, but had to scratch him due to a bruised foot. Delgado also looked at a listed dirt stakes at Ellis Park, but the owner, Kia Joorabchian, who heads AMO Racing, wanted to run in a graded stakes.

“He felt like we have a really good horse and he wanted to add something like this,” Delgado said.

Gaffalione was riding New York Thunder for the first time, but said it didn’t take him long to realize the son of Nyquist was handling the dirt just fine.

“About a sixteenth of a mile into the race,” Gaffalionesaid. “I was pretty confident.”

Gaffalione said when Drew’s Gold, under Jose Ortiz, came to him approaching the quarter pole, “I took a squeeze on my horse, put the bit in his mouth and he responded. He was doing it so easy.”

Jose Ortiz said he was comfortable where Drew’s Gold was early on but when the running started, New York Thunder was just too much horse.

“I was in range every step of the way, but [New York Thunder] got away and was much the best today,” Ortiz said. “He ran very fast. He moved his form from turf to dirt which is very hard to and he did it.”

For Delgado, it was his first career win at Saratoga with his seventh starter.

“It’s the kind of race you dream about every day when you’re in your car, when you’re in the gym, it’s what makes you wake up the next day,” Delgado said.

Delgado said he will now dream about the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens here Aug. 26.

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