Saratoga Picks: Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes (7/31/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Fri Jul 31, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
horses
The racing action from Saratoga on Friday features the Amsterdam Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Saratoga picks for the entire card!
Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!
Saratoga Full Card Analysis
Saratoga Picks: Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes (7/31/2026)
Saratoga Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 1:10 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $115k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #4 RIVER OF DECEIT (2-1): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 86 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #2 WITHOUT HESITATION (9-5): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Top connections on the circuit with Ortiz and Ward.
- #6 ZODIAC WARRIOR (12-1): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Hard to argue with the recent races.
- #1 WOOD ISLAND (7-2): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 4 – 2 – 6 – 1
The Plays
Win: #4 at 7-5
Exacta: 4 / 6,1
Saratoga Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:44 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $50k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #4 MISS MONEY PANTS (10-1): Top Pick. Strong early pace figs. Race sets up perfectly.
- #6 BELTANDSUSPENDERS (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #3 CREAM PUFF (10-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
- #2 SAYSOMETHINGNICE (6-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 4 – 6 – 3 – 2
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-1
Exacta: 4 / 6,3,2
Saratoga Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 2:18 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $65k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 SHEER WILL (2-1): Top Pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Shouldn't have trouble getting the distance.
- #4 PROUD FOOT (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Franco and Kantarmaci team up on this one.
- #3 CONFIRMED STAR (12-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Has experience at this level.
- #2 MURSAL (3-1): Major Player. Early pace figs should have this one involved from the start. Could be grinding down the competition late.
Selections: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2
The Plays
Win: #5 at 7-5
Exacta: 5 / 4,2
Saratoga Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:52 PM ET; Claiming $60k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #1 FIRST CALL BOB (4-5): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Fits well with this group.
- #5 WHO'S YOUR ZADDY (6-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #4 I'M WORTHY (4-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
- #7 SWAGING (15-1): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 1 – 5 – 4 – 7
The Plays
Win: #1 at 1-1
Exacta: 1 / 5,4
Saratoga Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 3:26 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $62k; 1 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #14 DISPARATE IMPACT (5-2): Prime Win Player. Could be ready for a top effort. Favorable class relief in this spot.
- #13 STREAM IT (8-5): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #12 MEANSTEPPER (12-1): Fringe Contender. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #1 VISIBLE (6-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 14 – 13 – 12 – 1
The Plays
Win: #14 at 2-1
Exacta: 14 / 13,12,1
Saratoga Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 4:00 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $115k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.
- #1 FREEDOM CHARGE (9-2): Prime Win Player. Strong early pace figs. Top connections on the circuit with Ortiz and Asmussen.
- #6 YESTAHAL (5-2): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Ortiz puts this one in with a chance.
- #7 MINDFIELD (4-1): Underneath. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
- #3 PARKRIDGE (15-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 1 – 6 – 7 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 3-1
Pick 3 (Races 6-8): #1,6 with #3 with #7,8
Exacta: 1 / 6,7
Saratoga Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 4:34 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $52k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #3 COACH CRONIN (5-2): Best Bet of the Card. Proven competitor at this configuration. Looks good based on the 96 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today's best bet with industry leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #6 CALIBRATE (2-1): Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
- #4 SARA'S SHAMAN (10-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #7 HEY TOBY (20-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 3 – 6 – 4 – 7
The Plays
Win: #3 at 1-1
Exacta: 3 / 6,4
Saratoga Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 5:09 PM ET; Allowance $105k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #7 QUEENS CAT (6-1): Top Pick. Alvarado puts this one in with a chance.
- #8 LIGHTNING STRIKE (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
- #4 LIBERTY'S SECRET (6-1): Contender. Has been running well enough recently. Previous success in similar race types.
- #5 K GUN (7-2): Fringe Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 7 – 8 – 4 – 5
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-1
Exacta: 7 / 8,4,5
Saratoga Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 5:44 PM ET; Amsterdam Stakes $250k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #7 OBLITERATION (7-5): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Strong early pace figs.
- #3 SOLITUDE DUDE (4-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #1 AMERICAN MAN (6-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Prat puts this one in with a chance.
- #4 GILDED BANDIT (9-2): Contender. Recent races are solid. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 7 – 3 – 1 – 4
The Plays
Win: #7 at 6-5
Exacta: 7 / 3,1,4
Saratoga Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 6:19 PM ET; Claiming $58k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #5 HEADS IN BEDS (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #2 FIVE DOZEN ROSES (5-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #3 EMERALD EMBER (4-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #9 FROM SCRATCH (7-2): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Trainer's horses have been running.
Selections: 5 – 2 – 3 – 9
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-1
Trifecta: 5 / 2,3 / 2,3,9
More Horses News
Horse Betting News
Del Mar Picks: Bing Crosby Stakes Analysis (7/25/2026)
Horse Betting News
Saratoga Picks: Coaching Club American Oaks Analysis (7/25/2026)
Horse Betting News
Monmouth Park Picks: Monmouth Park Oaks Analysis (7/25/2026)
Horse Betting News
Saratoga Picks: Shuvee Stakes Analysis (7/24/2026)
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Don't miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week's biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week's upcoming big races.
Friday Analysis
- Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes on Dirt
Saturday Analysis
- Del Mar Picks featuring the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Dirt (Breeders' Cup Win and You're In)
- Colonial Downs Picks featuring the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes on Turf
- Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes on Dirt
- Woodbine Picks featuring the Grade 3 Seagram Stakes on All Weather
Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.