Happy Alabama Day 

We get the re-match between Good Cheer and La Cara as they co-headline the Alabama field. Good Cheer was the leader of this division culminating with a Kentucky Oaks victory. But her seven race win streak was ended in the Acorn by La Cara. They meet again today. But don’t sleep on Nitrogen who is looking for a breakthrough on the dirt. 

Trivia Question: What is the oldest stakes race in America for three year old fillies? 

Race 9 – The Skidmore Stakes  

Five and One Half Furlongs On the Mellon Turf for Two Year Olds 

1. Schwarzenegger: Was cross entered in a MSW on Thursday, but an afternoon storm washed it off the turf and he was scratched – so he runs here. $950k Not This Time colt debuts after a series of strong works over the Oklahoma turf course. Tough rail draw as he’s up against it if he breaks slow. Wesley Ward wins at a 20% clip with two year olds in their first start while turf sprinting and hits the board at a 50% clip. There’s plenty of buzz on this one and I don’t think you will get the ML 4-1. Underlay. Gets a piece.
2. Sandal’s Song: Broke his maiden at Gulfstream and then shipped to Royal Ascot for the five furlong Group 2 Norfolk Stakes where he was prominent, but didn’t finish it off, getting the show money. Only two works since that June Ascot race. How sharp will he be? Irad up. Using.
3. Monster: First two efforts were on the dirt and this colt didn’t show much so he went to the turf and dominated at five furlongs. Has been working at Palm Meadows but was shipped up to Saratoga and he had a local work last week. There was a three week break between his last two works. Should be fresh as his last race was in May. Lean against.
4. Tough Critic: Won at first asking for George Weaver at Keenland and then went to Royal Ascot.  In the Windsor Castle at Ascot he faced twenty-two opponents and was up close for the first half of the race but faded to tenth. Tons of speed in here and needs to go longer. Not today.
5. Gypsy Art: First time starter for Wesley Ward shows a sharp four furlong turf work last Sunday. By Munnings and out of an American Pharoah dam, so there’s turf pedigree here. Wait and see.
6. Malus: Won last out for Pletcher/Rosario (62 Beyer) in an off the turf affair as he was patiently handled and once he they turned for home he dominated. Exotics.
7. Bobrovsky: Broke his maiden with an emphatic ten length win (68 Beyer) on the Saratoga main track. Now he moves to the turf and takes on winners for the first time. No published works in the three weeks since that win. Dale Romans wins at 4% going dirt to turf.  Don’t think so.
8. Spirit of New York: Sharp in victory against State Breds in his debut. Irad made a nicely timed move into a hot pace and then kicked away (72 Beyer). Jose Ortiz takes over for his brother who moves to Sandal’s Song. Should be able to sit a trip off a lot of early speed and then get up in the final sixteenth. The Pick

Picks 8-2-1-6 

Race 10– Alabama Stakes – Grade I 

One Mile And One Quarter On The Dirt For Filles Three Years Old 

1. Margie’s Intention: Started out in Louisiana bred races but then won the Black Eyed Susan where she stalked but just kept coming to wear down the leader (81 Beyer). In the Delaware Oaks she was too far off the pace and had to swing six wide. Her two best performances came on sloppy tracks. Passing.
2. Good Cheer: Was the leader of this division after starting her career with seven straight wins culminating in the Kentucky Oaks (91 Beyer). She was not her usual self in the Acorn on a sloppy track and finished a distant fifth. Gets a chance for redemption today against La Cara who bested her that day. Has this filly peaked? Should stalk a bit off the pace. Hits the board.
3. Kinzie Queen: Ships in from Delaware Park where she has been training since her third place finish in the Delaware Oaks in June. That day she ran well after being spun five wide but was no match for Fondly who wired the field (76 Beyer). Water is too deep.
4. Nitrogen: The “Other Casse” has hit the board in all nine starts including a seventeen length win in an off the turf Wonder Again Stakes (91 Beyer). That was her first dirt race. How much of that performance was due to the sloppy conditions? She should like all of the ground that she gets today.  Casse has worked her twice on the dirt leading into this. Medaglia d’Oro filly should be able to sit behind stablemate La Cara and move in the lane. The Pick.  
5. Queen Azteca: Winner of the UAE Oaks then took on the colts in the UAE Derby but was overmatched. From there she went to Sweden and won at eleven furlongs and finished second going a mile and a half. Had to know how Swedish form translate to the Spa. Distance shouldn’t be a concern as she cuts back from a mile and a half. Exotics.
6. La Cara: Wired the field in the Acorn as she glided over the sloppy sealed track (93 Beyer). Two back she failed to fire in the Kentucky Oaks, but she’s no fluke having also won the Grade I Ashland Stakes (88 Beyer). Should have an uncontested lead as Nitrogen is from the same barn and isn’t going to duel with her and I don’t think anyone else will try to get the lead. That’s a favorable set up for La Cara, but can she get all ten furlongs? Missed the CCA Oaks due to her barn being under quarantine, so she is fresh. Win candidate.

Picks 4-6-2-5 

Trivia Answer: The Alabama Stakes was first run in 1872 and is the oldest stakes race for three year old fillies in the United States.