How to bet the 2026 Amsterdam Stakes

A total of eight sophomores will speed 6 1/2 furlongs over the dirt at Saratoga in Friday’s $250,000 Amsterdam (G2). The majority of the field for the dirt dash prefers to be forwardly placed in the early going, but #3 Solitude Dude (4-1) is the speed-of-the-speed for conditioner Saffie Joseph. By Yaupon, the three-year-old colt is four-for-six in his lifetime and has an excuse for his latest run when he was dueling on the front end with the sensational Englishman in the Woody Stephens (G1) on the strip last time out. 

Amsterdam Wagers

• $2 trifecta 3,4 with 2,3,4,7 with 2,3,4,7 ($24)

• 50-cent superfecta 3.4 with 3,4,7 with 2,3,4,7 with all ($20)

Solitude Dude has high cruising speed with a good draw inside of the other major pace in the field, and the Kentucky-bred was a dominant winner in his lone run at the distance, as well. The $300,000 juvenile purchase will be sent from the start with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the silks. 

#4 Gilded Bandit (9-2) possesses arguably the best closing kick in the field, and I like his chances to be a major factor in the heat. Trained by Bill Mott, the son of good young sire Charlatan is two-for-two at the distance and was last seen checking in fourth behind an explosive winner in the Woody Stephens on the oval. The $550,000 yearling buy has recorded two bullet morning drills from his last trio of morning moves on the Oklahoma training surface, and the chestnut will have regular pilot Junior Alvarado in the silks once again. 

Steve Asmussen’s #7 Obliteration (7-5) is the deserving favorite in the field and can surely win the race with Jose Ortiz taking the reins. The fleet son of Violence is a graded winner at this venue and has earned Brisnet Speed ratings of 100 and 103 in his last pair, and he also comes in fresh with four well-spaced morning moves in anticipation of the heat. I just don’t love the millionaire at his price and will try to upend him with the two aforementioned runners. 

Todd Pletcher’s #2 Local Knowledge (5-1) was clear in third in a swiftly run allowance race on June 6 in his seasonal debut and has a high ceiling with just two lifetime runs to his credit in advance of this tilt. The expensive Yaupon colt will need a big step forward to upset the group, but he rates a top-three chance with John Velazquez retaining the ride.