Pinehurst's works suggest he'll be tough in Sunday's Amsterdam

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

If appearance and works are any indication, Pinehurst might be hard to reel in Sunday during his expected confrontation with 2-year-old champion Corniche in the six-furlong Amsterdam Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

Pinehurst is set to compete for the first time since he was eased by jockey Flavien Prat and finished last of 16 in the March 26 UAE Derby (G2). The 1 3/16-mile distance represented the most ground he had been asked to cover in his brief six-race career.

The bay son of Twirling Candy arrived in New York as the picture of health since he was transferred from Bob Baffert to John Terranova a little more than a week ago. Baffert has been suspended by the New York Racing Association until Jan. 26.

“He looks great. He came in in great shape. He looks absolutely beautiful,” said Tonya Terranova, an assistant to her husband.

Pinehurst’s works suggest he is about to put the UAE Derby far behind him and again flash the form that allowed him to roll gate to wire in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) on Feb. 26 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. He tore through four furlongs in 47.05 seconds on July 24, third among 128 workers at the distance, in his lone drill at Saratoga.

“We deliberately brought him back slowly with a summer-fall campaign in mind. His performance on Sunday will dictate what comes next,” said Tom Ryan. He manages the horse on behalf of an ownership group that includes 10 partners, among them SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables and Stonestreet Stables. SF Racing, Starlight and Madaket combined to buy the colt for $385,000 as a yearling.

Ryan had reported after the UAE Derby debacle that Pinehurst emerged from the race with mild irritation and bruising around his right eye, apparently the result of being struck by a clod while at full speed. According to reports filed by Dubai Racing Authority stewards, the horse exited with lameness in his left foreleg.

“We were made aware of that report. He was observed that night and the following morning in Dubai and was reported to be sound,” Ryan said. “As a precaution, we did an extensive lameness workup upon his return to Kentucky, revealing no abnormalities.”

The 3-year-old is a winner of half of his six starts for earnings surpassing $1.2 million. He was given time off at Margaux Farm in Kentucky after his journey to the Middle East. He returned to the work tab on May 27 at Santa Anita for the first of eight moves there. He fired four consecutive bullets from June 2 until June 27, when he traveled five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, fastest of 26.

Ryan indicated the Amsterdam’s rich history factored into the selection of that race for Pinehurst’s East Coast debut. “It’s always exciting to participate in a race with such history as the Amsterdam,” he said. “Horses the likes of Quality Road, City Zip and Distorted Humor have won it over the years.”

Whatever the salty Amsterdam brings, Pinehurst is expected to remain in the Terranova barn. “Long-range plans will be made post-race,” Ryan said, adding, “John and Tonya are a great team, and we have developed a good working relationship with them.”

Questions remain about whether Pinehurst has distance limitations. He made a winning debut for Baffert at five furlongs on Aug. 1 at Del Mar and was a comfortable winner as well of the Sept. 6 Del Mar Futurity (G1). He dead-heated for fifth, though, behind victorious Corniche in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November at Del Mar.

Pinehurst launched his 3-year-old campaign by placing second to Forbidden Kingdom, beaten by 2 1/4 lengths, in the seven-furlong San Vincente at Santa Anita. With the trek to the Middle East producing wildly different results, not to mention the trainer change, that only adds to the intrigue surrounding the Amsterdam.