The Alabama Stakes has long been one of the most important races in the United States for 3-year-old fillies.
The list of past Winners reads like a who’s who of Distaff stars through the decades.
The 1 ¼-mile test at Saratoga is the longest Grade 1 dirt stakes for 3-year-old fillies and a key race on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, hence this tough field of ten:
1. SACRED WISH [ML 8-1] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: George Weaver. She was caught at the wire by WET PAINT when 2nd in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks. Another race of similar quality would make her a contender here but not sure the additional eighth of a mile will be to her benefit.
2. WET PAINT [ML 2-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Brad Cox. Has been a top 3-year-old filly all year with four Stakes Wins, most recently closing late to Win the aforementioned CC American Oaks. That was her first Grade 1 Victory after finishing 4th, beaten by three lengths, earlier this year in the Kentucky Oaks. The 1 ¼ miles should be ideal for this formidable filly and she ran the best race of her career on this main track.
3. JULIA SHINING [ML 5-1] Jockey: Luis Saez. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Won both of her starts at 2 and generated a ton of buzz but has not been able to regain that Winning form to date in two starts in 2023. Rested since finishing 3rd, beaten by three-quarters of a length, in the Ashland Stakes in April. JULIA SHINING is a regally bred filly with significant upside if she can take a step forward.
4. SABRA TUFF [ML 30-1] Jockey: Rey Gutierrez. Trainer: Dallas Stewart. Winless in eight races since a debut Win last June at Churchill Downs and unplaced in three starts this year, she appears to be outclassed against this group.
5. FIRELINE [ML 12-1] Jockey: Javier Castellano. Trainer: Chad Brown. Finished 4th at the odds-on favorite in the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks July 1st after returning from a six-month layoff and impressively Winning a one-mile allowance at Belmont Park in May. She’s a Juddmonte homebred with nice pedigree who could take a big step forward here in her 5th start, and she will need to in order to compete here.
6. CHOCOLATE GELATO [ML 15-1] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. A Grade 1 Winner at 2 last season, she looked like she needed a race coming back from seven months on the sidelines when 4th in the Jersey Girl Stakes at Monmouth Park in June. Broke her Maiden on this track a year ago but 1 ¼ miles is a big question as she has not Won around two turns.
7. GAMBLING GIRL [ML 8-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. The Kentucky Oaks runner-up finished 3rd as the 6-5 favorite in the Coaching Club American Oaks and was 8 ½ lengths behind the top two, who also return here. Seemingly no excuse in that race but has proved she can compete at the Grade 1 level.
8. RANDOMIZED [ML 9-2] Jockey: Joel Rosario. Trainer: Chad Brown. She could benefit from the lack of pace in this race. RANDOMIZED enters off a front-running Win going a mile on this main track in the July 14th Wilton Stakes. She has posted big speed figures in both of her Wins, which came leading from start to finish, so expect Rosario to be aggressive from the jump and dare the others to come catch her.
9. TAXED [ML 8-1] Jockey: Rafael Bejarano. Trainer: Randy Morse. Followed a 3 ¾-length romp in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes with a 2nd place finish at 4-5 odds in the Indiana Oaks behind the filly just to her outside here. Should be passing horses late with a shot to rally for a minor award.
10. DEFINING PURPOSE [ML 10-1] Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Trainer: Ken McPeek. The Ashland Stakes Winner faded late in the Kentucky Oaks, but she was back in elite form when Winning the Indiana Oaks by 1 ¼ lengths July 8th. A major contender.
The contest is slated for race nine on a card of eleven, with a scheduled Post Time of 5:45. Best of luck however you play it.
