Velazquez, Local Knowledge Team Up to Win Amsterdam

Milestones are nothing new for jockey John Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher. The two Hall of Famers are the all-time leading earners in their profession, each with earnings more than $525 million. You don't need a calculator to deduce that's a combined total of more than $1 billion. They also have combined for a little more than 12,800 wins and Velazquez has been aboard for more than 500 of Pletcher's stakes wins. There's been a slew of accolades along the way, but every now and then there's a moment that stands a little above most of the others. Like the scene July 31 at Saratoga Race Course. Riding the Pletcher-trained Local Knowledge in a strong and skillful manner that belied his 1971 birthdate, Velazquez guided Spendthrift Farm's son of Yaupon to a dramatic victory in the $250,000 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) for the 800th United States/Canada graded stakes win in Velazquez's glorious career. "I am very blessed with all the opportunities I have been given to ride these horses," Velazquez said. "One day, when I look back, I can say, 'I enjoyed that.'" Sharing the moment with Pletcher, who has more than 1,800 wins with the Hall of Fame rider since the late 1990s, made it even more special. "Honestly, it's very special to do it with Todd," said Velazquez, who also has several overseas graded/group stakes wins besides the 800 graded wins in the U.S. and Canada. "He's been very successful and we've been successful together." Pletcher, after joking that Velazquez was a "slacker," said, "He's a remarkable man. It's unbelievable the level he's been riding at for so many years." Local Knowledge came into the Amsterdam with just two career starts, but battled like a seasoned pro in the stretch to prevail by a head over multiple stakes winner Solitude Dude, who had edged past him in midstretch of the sprint stakes for 3-year-olds. "He was game," Velazquez said. "I asked him and I am very proud that he went on. He felt that horse (Solitude Dude) the whole way down the stretch. For a horse that has only run three times, to do what he did today was very special." In covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.89, Local Knowledge ran well enough to earn a spot in the Aug. 29 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) at the Spa for his fourth start. "I think we have to," Pletcher said about the 7-furlong Jerkens. "I think he'll handle the stretch-out." American Man set the early fractions of :21.77 and :44.64 in the Amsterdam, with Local Knowledge about a length back in second. After the winner put that rival away at the top of the stretch, the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Solitude Dude surged to a short lead at the eighth pole, but Local Knowledge ($10.34) had the necessary grit to battle back. Chris Fountoukis' Solitude Dude, who gave Spendthrift stallion Yaupon the top two finishers in the stakes, was second, 3 1/2 lengths over 4-5 favorite Obliteration, a Violence colt who had a rough trip for trainer Steve Asmussen while racing behind horses. Local Knowledge, who won his Oct. 4 debut at Keeneland and then returned June 6 at the Spa and finished third against older rivals in an allowance race, was bred by Stoneriggs Farm out of the Scat Daddy mare Chestnut Street. He was bought for $625,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale out of the Hoppel consignment.