This Saturday (August 21st) is the 141st running of the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse.

The prestigious stakes race for 3-year-old fillies is one of the oldest races for females in the United States, with its first edition taking place in 1872- Won by WOODBINE a horse owned by August Belmont.

Apologies to all the Roll Tide fans, but the race was not precisely named in honor of the great state of Alabama; rather, it was named after William Cottrell of Mobile, who was too modest to have a race named for him personally and requested it be named after his home state.

Mr. Cottrell, who came to the United States from England during the 1840’s, was an owner and breeder whose ASCENSION finished 10th in the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875. He also trained BUCHANAN who Won the Run for the Roses in 1884.

The Grade 1 Alabama is run at a distance of 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt and offers a purse of $600,000 dollars.

It is the third leg of the New York Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing, coming after the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks.

Probable starters in this years field include:

ARMY WIFE Trainer: Michael Maker

CLAIRIERE Trainer: Steve Asmussen

CRAZY BEAUTIFUL Trainer: Ken McPeek

MALATHAAT Trainer: Todd Pletcher

MARACUJA Trainer: Rob Atras

PLAYED HARD Trainer: Phil Bauer

WILL’S SECRET Trainer: Dallas Stewart

The Daily Racing Blog will have more on the Alabama throughout the week. So stop back.