How to bet the 2022 Amsterdam Stakes

A total of nine sophomores will vie in the $200,000 Amsterdam S. (G2) at Saratoga on Sunday. The 6 1/2-furlong dirt heat attracted an outstanding field of dashers and marks the return of unbeaten champion #7 Corniche (5-2), who capped a 3-for-3 two-year-old campaign with a gate-to-wire score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar. But I will side with another and seek an upset in the sprint.

2021 Del Mar Futurity (G1) victor #1 Pinehurst (6-1) carried his speed one mile when annexing the Saudi Derby (G3) two back prior to being unplaced in the UAE Derby (G2) most recently. The speedy son of Twirling Candy has posted a string of swift morning drills in preparation for his return, and I think that the Kentucky-bred will thrive on the cutback to one turn.

Pinehurst is unbeaten from a trio of sprint outings in his career and seems poised to be a factor from the break on Sunday. If the bay colt breaks well, which I expect, then he will be the one to catch from the rail with Flavien Prat taking the reins for new conditioner John Terranova.

Corniche has yet to be headed in his lifetime and is obviously a must-use in the top-three. The $1.5 million Quality Road colt ran huge on debut to prove that he can run well off workouts, and the Kentucky-bred got a good draw outside of the other early speed in the dash, as well. Bay colt, who makes his initial try for Pletcher, has trained steadily in advance of his seasonal bow and looms large under the guidance of Luis Saez.

#8 My Prankster (8-1), also from the Pletcher shedrow, broke his maiden by 10 lengths at first asking on this surface in 2021 and would benefit from a potential speed duel in the contest. Grade 3-winning son of Into Mischief will be doing his best work in the lane with Johnny V. in the silks.

#4 Pappacap (6-1) has faced the best of his generation for two seasons and has held up well for conditioner Mark Casse. The hard-trying son of Gun Runner would be a mild surprise if he were to win the race, but the Florida-bred is in good form and can surely grab a share at a fair price while making his Spa debut.

Amsterdam Wagers

• $25 win #1 Pinehurst ($25)
• $8 exacta box 1-7 ($16)
• 50-cent superfecta 1,7 with 1,7 with 4,8 with all ($12)