Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Top Contenders

by Bodog Racebook | Aug 15 2011

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Saratoga Race Course  hosts the $500,000 Gr. 1 Alabama Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, Aug. 20. The 1 ¼ mile dirt race has attracted some of the division's top horses, including Plum Pretty, It's Tricky and Inglorious. So before you bet on the Alabama Stakes, read on for a preview of Bodog's race of the week.

A serious contender for the 2011 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, Plum Pretty stormed into the spotlight with a win in the 2011 Kentucky Oaks on May 6. Since then, however, she has yet to return to the winner's circle. Second-best in the Gr. 2 Hollywood Oaks on June 25 at Hollywood Park, the Medaglia d'Oro filly came back a month later with another runner-up finish, this time in the Gr. 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 23. In preparation for the Alabama Stakes, Plum Pretty turned in a 6-furlong breeze on Aug. 10 in 1:11.87, one of two at Saratoga thus far. Plum Pretty is trained by Bob Baffert for Peachtree Stable and has earned a career $841,200; she is 3-2-2 from seven lifetime starts.

Also with a year-end goal of attending the Breeders' Cup  is It's Tricky, a daughter of Mineshaft. Boasting a stellar record of 6-5-0-0 and two grade 1 victories, It's Tricky defeated Plum Pretty in the Coaching Club American Oaks by three-quarters of a length. Her other victory came in the Gr. 1 Acorn Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park, a confident 3 ¾ length win. It's Tricky, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Godolphin Racing LLC, has had two works at Saratoga, the most recent a 4-furlong breeze on Aug. 13 timed in 48.90; she has earned a career $438,000 and will be looking to improve that figure on Saturday.

Making a big jump from Canadian stakes races is Inglorious, a Hennessy filly trained by Josie Carroll. Winner of the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown  - the Queen's Plate Stakes - versus male horses at Woodbine on June 26, Inglorious is undefeated in three consecutive starts.

On June 5, she won the Woodbine Oaks, and previous to that, she won the La Lorgnette Stakes on May 15. Inglorious is not new to American tracks: she began her year at Fair Grounds where, despite solid efforts, she failed to break into the winner's circle in two attempts. Inglorious has earned $1,264,943 from seven starts and is 5-1-0 for owner Donver Stable.

Other horses expected for the Alabama Stakes include Kathmanblu, Kinda Spicy, Royal Delta and St. John's River.

The Alabama Stakes is a significant race for fillies on the road to the Breeders' Cup. Last year, top contender Blind Luck won the Alabama Stakes on her way to a thrilling 2010 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic runner-up finish.

Now you're ready to bet on horse racing at Saratoga with Bodog!