Big Guy Ian Draws Outside in Amsterdam
Michael Dilger spent seven years as an assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher before going out on his own last summer. His solo career got off to a fast start when he won with his first stakes starter, New York-bred Wired Bryan, in the Grade 2 Sanford.
On Saturday, the 38-year-old native of Ireland will send out another Anstu Stables-owned colt in Big Guy Ian for the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-old sprinters on the main track.
Big Guy Ian drew the outside, post 9, in the 6 ½-furlong Amsterdam, which serves as Saratoga's local prep for the Grade 1, $500,000 Ketel One King's Bishop on Aug. 23. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan will be aboard for the first time.
"It's better than being in the one hole, and it gives him the opportunity to see what everybody else does," Dilger said. "We've liked him all along; that's why we bought him. We're just hoping he can live up to the potential that we think we've seen in him."
Purchased for $375,000 as a 2-year-old in training last May, the chestnut son of Belmont Stakes and Travers winner Birdstone hasn't sprinted since his debut in December at Gulfstream Park. He broke his maiden going a mile in his next start and ran fourth by 2 ½ lengths to Amsterdam contender C Zee in the Sir Bear before leaving Florida, and most recently was third in a one-mile optional claiming allowance on June 25 at Belmont.
"He's training very well," Dilger said. "I'm not concerned about him cutting back because he's shown so much speed in his races. It seems like he should have enough speed to be competitive in this spot. I guess with his pedigree we expected him to stretch out, but it seems like a mile would be his limit. He's gotten stronger as the year has gone on and he continues to do well. He's developing into quite a big, strong horse and hopefully that continues."
Dominant Calder Derby winner Our Caravan is back on a regular work schedule following his sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Peter Pan on May 10. Nominated to Friday's $100,000 Curlin, he is progressing toward his next start, Dilger said.
Dilger arrived at Saratoga in May and will stay through the end of October. He currently has 18 horses here and another 20 stabled at Belmont Park.
"It's taken off," he said. "We've got some New York-bred fillies that are going to start running here shortly. Last year we stayed until the 31st of October and went straight to Florida. This year we'll leave again on the 31st but we'll probably have a bigger string at Belmont and see what we do from there. We plan on keeping some horses in New York for the winter, as well."