Alabama Stakes Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Aug 16)

Fresh off finding the +800 winner of the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga last Saturday, we set our focus on this weekend’s feature in New York- the G1 Alabama Stakes. Fillies aged three will be involved, and significant clues for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff later in the season will be on offer. You can find the odds and our Alabama Stakes picks here.

Odds

Alabama Stakes Recent Winners

Alabama Stakes: Event Information

Race Preview

The fillies take centre stage at Saratoga this weekend, with the colts having their chance to shine next weekend in the hotly anticipated Travers Stakes. The G1 Alabama Stakes has been a notable date in the diary since its introduction in 1872, and it has been a key prep ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in recent years. Not only that, but it forms the final leg of the American Triple Tiara of Racing.

Brad Cox has two notable chances this weekend, but the betting is likely to be dominated by the Kentucky Oaks queen, Good Cheer. However, the three-year-old has questions to answer this weekend after disappointing when sent off as a red-hot favorite in the G1 Acorn Stakes in June, finishing fifth and nine lengths behind reappearing La Cara.

Margie’s Intention gives Cox a fascinating second runner in the race this weekend. The filly has won just once on track, but is yet to finish outside of the first two. But, she may have plenty to find after a disappointing second in the G3 Delaware Oaks last time out.

Queen Azteca and Kinzie Queen have far too much to find on official ratings this weekend, and both will likely be competing for minor money at the very best. La Cara is a horse I really like for Mark Casse, and she was excellent when beating Look Forward in the G1 Alabama. She has been progressive throughout her campaign, and a line can be drawn through her ninth in the Kentucky Oaks.

Nitrogen also represents the same stable this weekend, and she has done little wrong on track. She has been a winning machine this season, excellent over a mile after landing wins in the G2 Appalachian and G2 Edgewood. However, a new trip and a return to the dirt pose questions.

Alabama Stakes Picks

At the prices, La Cara is almost impossible to overlook. She excels at Saratoga, and typically runs her best races in smaller fields, which she will get this weekend.

The strength of her G1 Alabama run looks very reliable, and her case is only made stronger based on the fact that she is the only known front-runner in this field. Stays the distance well, and she’ll be hard to pass.