Betting the 2024 Amsterdam Stakes

Friday’s $200,000 Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga might only have five sophomores in the field, but each of the handful is a fantastic performer. The pair of three-year-olds that I am most interested in are the two longest prices on the board, so value can be had despite the small amount of betting options in the dash. 

Amsterdam Wagers

$25 win #2 Donegal Momentum ($25)
$1 trifecta 2,3 with all with all ($24)

The debut win by #2 Donegal Momentum (4-1) over a muddy, sealed surface in May was sensational, in my opinion. Trained by Tom Morley, the son of Uncle Mo forced a fast pace and grew even stronger in the stretch en route to a dynamic first-out triumph. He did regress to some extent second time out when run down late in an allowance race at the one-mile distance, but he didn’t run poorly by any means, and the $375,000 yearling purchase will benefit from a fitness standpoint.

Donegal Momentum put in a solid half-mile drill on this main oval in advance of Friday, and while he is plenty quick and might have an early edge in the heat, the colt doesn’t need the lead in order to thrive. Javier Castellano, who was aboard for his first pair of outings, retains the mount. 

Juddmonte homebred #3 Pure Force (9-2) fits a similar profile to the aforementioned Donegal Momentum in that he is fast early and fast late. Trained by Brad Cox, the son of Constitution impressed in his first offering on Derby Day with a convincing score, and his return allowance race was equally impressive, at the very least. He rated on the lead before flying home in a professional performance beneath the Twin Spires most recently, and the bullet half-mile on the Oklahoma two works back tells me he likes this venue, as well. Florent Geroux has the assignment. 

A few brief notes on the other trio of talented contenders:

#1 World Record (3-1) has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in each lifetime try and will add blinkers for Rodolphe Brisset. The Gun Runner colt will have Flavien Prat in the silks and makes obvious sense with a forward move. 

#4 Jefferson Street (8-5) was a superb, eight-length allowance winner on the oval in his latest showing, and the Godolphin homebred is obviously a fine talent. A repeat of that win makes the colt a menacing figure for Bill Mott. 

#5 Valentine Candy (3-1) is the most accomplished contender in the field with four stakes wins to his credit, and he wouldn’t be a surprise by any means. The Justify colt was fifth in the deep Woody Stephens (G1) on Belmont Day and has trained well in the interim.