The Amsterdam-G2 will be run on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Saratoga as Race #3, a 6 1/2-furlong dirt contest for three-year-olds carrying a purse of $250.000. The race has been won five times by Mb Stables, including the 2025 edition with Balestier Road, and that owner returns with Need Cash Now and Blooming Attack. The 2014 running produced a dead heat between Captain Awesome and The Fog, the only shared victory shown in the race’s history.

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1. Magenta — Alydar Stables / Bejarano R — Odds: 8/1

Magenta enters after a strong second in the Maxfield-G3 at Churchill Downs, where he advanced from eighth to second and finished one-half length behind London. That effort followed a victory in the six-furlong Hutcheson and showed that his sprint form is considerably stronger than his performances in longer Grade I races. He has recorded two wins and a second from seven starts and posted three sharp six-furlong works at Saratoga during July. Magenta is a legitimate contender if he repeats his Maxfield performance, although he must reverse the result with London.

2. Need Cash Now — Mb Stables / Lopez P — Odds: 3/1

Need Cash Now owns the field’s most important sprint victory, having won the seven-furlong Stephens-G1 at Saratoga on June 6 after moving from fourth to take the lead at the third call. He was previously second in the Day Mile-G2 and won the Pasco Stakes at seven furlongs. His latest fourth in the Maxfield-G3 was respectable but below his best, as he remained close throughout without producing the same finishing response. Returning to Saratoga and cutting back slightly to 6 1/2 furlongs make him one of the principal win threats.

3. Perfect Encore — La Canada Racehorses / Gaffalione T — Odds: 5/1

Perfect Encore comes into the Amsterdam after winning a six-furlong optional claimer at Churchill Downs, advancing from third before prevailing by a nose. He has also won at 6 1/2 furlongs and finished second in a seven-furlong stakes race at Tampa. His 2026 record of seven starts with two wins and three seconds reflects consistent sprint form, although his previous attempts around two turns were less effective. He faces a considerable class rise but is well suited to the distance and has enough tactical speed to remain involved.

4. Unpreventable — Aml Racing / Esquivel E — Odds: 10/1

Unpreventable has won three of four starts in 2026, including consecutive dirt sprint victories at Emerald Downs. He came from sixth to win at six furlongs and then advanced from fourth to capture a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer on June 20. His lifetime record of eight starts with four wins and two seconds is excellent, and his latest distance victory directly matches the Amsterdam conditions. The concern is class, as he moves from optional claiming competition into a Grade II, but his current form makes him an intriguing upset candidate.

5. London — Mo Mentum Farm / Hernandez R M — Odds: 5/2

London enters on a five-race winning streak and has won five of six starts this year. He captured the Maxfield-G3 at Churchill Downs on June 28, moving from seventh to third before taking command and defeating Magenta by one-half length. He had previously won the King Corrie Stakes at seven furlongs and an optional claimer at Keeneland over 1 1/16 miles. His versatility, recent graded-stakes victory, and ability to finish strongly from several early positions give him the most complete recent form in the field.

6. The Hunter — Maxmillion Farm / Bridgmohan S X — Odds: 8/1

The Hunter finished fourth in the Maxfield-G3 after racing second early, dropping to fifth, and maintaining fourth through the finish. Before that, he won the six-furlong Lang Stakes and a seven-furlong Keeneland allowance, leading throughout the latter. His best performances have come at sprint distances, and he has shown the ability to race either on or near the pace. He will need to improve on his Maxfield effort to defeat London and Magenta, but his prior back-to-back wins keep him in the contender group.

7. Blooming Attack — Mb Stables / Velazquez J R — Odds: 7/2

Blooming Attack returns to dirt after finishing fourth in the Belmont Derby-G1 on turf. His most relevant performance came in the Stephens-G1 at Saratoga, where he contested the lead throughout and finished second to Need Cash Now by one length. He also won the Rebel-G2 at Oaklawn over 1 1/16 miles and has four victories from 11 starts. The distance cutback should suit his tactical speed, and his previous Saratoga sprint performance makes him a major threat if he handles the return from turf without regression.

Pace Structure & Race Outlook

Need Cash Now, The Hunter, Blooming Attack, and possibly London all possess enough tactical speed to establish or contest the early pace. Blooming Attack pressed the pace throughout the Stephens-G1, while The Hunter has won when controlling a seven-furlong allowance. Need Cash Now has also raced effectively near the lead, although his Saratoga Grade I victory came after settling behind the first flight.

London and Magenta may receive favorable trips behind the main pace group. London advanced from seventh to win the Maxfield, while Magenta made an even larger move from eighth to second in that same race. Perfect Encore should be positioned closer, having raced third before winning his latest start. Unpreventable has shown the ability to rally from farther back and could benefit if the leading group applies sustained pressure.

Projected Winner

Top Selection: London

London receives the call based on his five-race winning streak, recent Maxfield-G3 victory, and proven ability to succeed from multiple running positions. His strongest competition should come from Need Cash Now, whose Stephens-G1 victory over this track remains the field’s most significant sprint accomplishment.

Main Danger: Need Cash Now

Best Value: Blooming Attack

Live Longshot: Unpreventable

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES