Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY
Friday, July 25, 2025 – Post Time: 5:53 PM ET
Grade 2 – $200,000 Purse – 6.5 Furlongs – Dirt – 3-Year-Old Colts
Race Overview
The 2025 Amsterdam Stakes is a key Grade 2 sprint for 3-year-olds, serving as a prep for the prestigious H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) later in the Saratoga meet. With a field of eight talented sophomores, many rebounding from off-track performances, this 6.5-furlong dash promises blistering early fractions and a thrilling stretch duel.
Field Analysis: Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree | ML Odds |
| 1 | Macho Music | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Rohan Crichton | Maclean’s Music × Southern Girl | 2-1 |
| 2 | Garamond | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | Uncle Mo × Blue Watch (by Tapit) | 7-2 |
| 3 | Smoken Wicked | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Dallas Stewart | Bobby’s Wicked One × Street Smoke | 6-1 |
| 4 | T Kraft | Jose Lezcano | Bill Mott | Connect × Margarita Friday | 8-1 |
| 5 | Gate to Wire | Dylan Davis | Todd Pletcher | Munnings × Sansibar Jewel | 5-1 |
| 6 | Gunmetal | Luis Saez | Brad Cox | Gun Runner × Classy Dancer | 9-2 |
| 7 | Mati Gol | Junior Alvarado | Victor Barboza Jr. | Win Win Win × Full Flower Moon | 15-1 |
| 8 | Uncaged | Kendrick Carmouche | Todd Pletcher | Curlin × Dark Nile | 15-1 |
Top Contenders & Strategic Insights
Macho Music
Form: Winner of the G2 Pat Day Mile; set blazing fractions in the Woody Stephens before fading.
Pedigree: Maclean’s Music progeny excel in sprints.
Tactics: Draws the rail with Irad Ortiz Jr.—expect aggressive early speed.
Garamond
Form: Third in the Gotham (G3); flopped on a sloppy track in the Pegasus Stakes.
Pedigree: Uncle Mo × Tapit mare—elite sprinting bloodlines.
Trainer Confidence: Chad Brown believes a dry track will unlock his best.
Gunmetal
Form: Strong maiden and allowance wins; troubled trip in the Woody Stephens.
Pedigree: Gun Runner × Speightstown mare—speed and class.
Trainer: Brad Cox has kept him fresh with five Saratoga works.
Other Notables
Gate to Wire: Won the Swale Stakes over Macho Music; late-running style could benefit from pace meltdown.
Smoken Wicked: Grade 2-placed at Saratoga; consistent stakes performer.
T Kraft: Three-race win streak earlier this year; needs rebound from muddy Stephens effort.
Uncaged: Late closer with pedigree upside; enters off a strong allowance win.
Mati Gol: Won the Carry Back Stakes on a sloppy track; longshot with upside.
Betting Strategy & Projected Finish
Top Pick: Macho Music – proven class, rail draw, and Ortiz’s aggressive riding.
Value Play: Gunmetal – sharp works and pedigree suggest bounce-back potential.
Exotics: Include Garamond, Gate to Wire, and Smoken Wicked for trifecta/superfecta depth.
Predicted Order of Finish:
Macho Music
Gunmetal
Garamond
Gate to Wire
