The Alabama – Grade I
SAR Race #7 1 1/4m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $600.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 Wrong Farm Winning Link Stables Gaffalione T 122 —

There must be a good story behind this one’s name but let’s think about her chances here as she takes on a strong field from the ace gate. The winner of only one race and that was as a two-year-old, she was very consistent finishing first or second in all her races prompting the trainer to aim high in 2024. She ran as a deep closer in her early season storming home late in the Honeybee for a creditable fifth, but it was clear her running style was going to be an issue. In her last two, however, she has found a position nearer the speed on a slower pace, but in both cases though she finished well, she couldn’t find the win. She is one of those that you feel has a big race in her, but as yet she hasn’t delivered; could today be the day? Well, the gate will help or hinder and if the pace is suicidal, then she could find a run up the rail late in the race.

2 Wasted Away Mb Stables Velazquez J R 122 —

Well, with the stable star looking to stay on the turf, the trainer looked to buy a dirt replacement and dug deep to pay $1,250.000 for this top-class filly. Winner of the KYO on a rain affected track, she was narrowly beaten in the Acorn but got back to winning ways with a faster win in the CCA Oaks last time out. She really looks like an outstanding filly and with that defeat by Let Me Explain in the Acorn provides an almost poetic link as she looks to go to the Distaff whilst her stable mate takes on the turf. She is the obvious choice from a great draw.

3 Raise The Banner Rock Creek Husbands P 122 —

Behind Wrong Farm in the Selene, it is hard to see her in the top three here. Having said that, the stable picked this one up for $2.500 in a FON claimer so even being here should be seen as a success.

4 Nazca Lines Delta Farms Smith M E 122 —

She was looking unbeatable through the early season but has since found Let Me Explain and Wasted Away too good, being beaten in the KYO, The Acorn and The CCA Oaks. Having said that, she wasn’t beaten too far and whilst three in a row may look like damning evidence, she will be second best again today I do feel that she wouldn’t have to change much to be a real challenger. M Smith is back in the saddle today and he was on board in the Fantasy when she beat Let Me Explain, so that could be an important booking although even with the wily veteran on board she has to find something to get revenge on Wasted Away.

5 Be Yourself Mb Stables Franco M 122 —

Even without buying Wasted Away the stable had a good hand for the Distaff, and this was one of them. She ran well for a long way in the KYO but was a little one paced at the end but has since taken the Summertime Oaks and the DEL Oaks with efforts that have seen her saved from the early speed and delivering later challenges to good effect. Her recent work was electric and whilst that improvement may have come naturally as the three’s catch up the older horses it could be important to her chances today. It will be interesting to see which MB starter comes out on top today and as the BC gets closer, it could look like the champion trainer will dominate the fillies and mares’ division.

6 Hobo Blues Alydar Stables Bridgmohan S X 122 —

There is a chance that on pace may be the place to be today as many of the top runners seem to like a bit of cover. If that is the case, then this master tactician could well take advantage with this filly who sneaks a little under the radar. She went up on the speed in the Black Eyed Susan after two efforts as more of a closer and was very game in winning by a neck. After going back to her old ways in the Acorn she went back to on-speed in the CCA Oaks last time and was only a length behind Wasted Away which was big considering the strong early pace. A top four chance for sure, I can see her running a decent race.

7 Radio Ruffian TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 122 —

Like all horses from this stable, she has been highly tried and whilst she hasn’t broken through as a leader in the division she has run pretty well. Her last start was a big disappointment and showed just how hard it can be trying to find the difference between stakes race and an overnight as she was beaten further in that Optional Claimer than she was in any of her attempts at graded stakes level. It is hard to see her winning, but her best may see her sneak into the top five.

8 Lonely Is The Night Luz International Vazquez R A 122 —

It is hard to fault winning form especially when backed up by strong works, so this filly could be a contender. She was very game in winning the WO Oaks last time and although the time for that race wasn’t as good as some of the other Oak’s races it was her third win in a row in only her seventh start, so she is entitled to further improvement. She will try and find a loose stalk here which may be difficult from the draw but if she slots in then she won’t be giving up at the end.

9 Lab Virus Saratoga Stud Lezcano J 122 —

Claimed for just $32.000 from Wood Duck Stable she has been launched into the big time by the new owner with great success. She won the Gazelle in her second start for the new yard and then ran a close second in the Summertime Oaks and then second again in the CCA Oaks a length behind Wasted Away and ahead of Hobo Blues and Nazca Lines. That form put her right in this although the draw is against her here and that may be a telling factor.

10 Statuette D J C Racing Stables – Scratch – 122 —

11 Your Next TwinTowersRacing Davis D 122 —

In the car park on her own, we find the second TwinTowers runner, she has moved between on speed and closing in her efforts this season and with this wide draw and some speed push it will be interesting to see which choice is made today. She went off fast to lead early in the Fantasy back in March but faded badly at the end but closed too late in the Black Eyed Susan next out before running a good race in the DEL Oaks when a close fifth from the stalk. I am not sure she can win with any instruction, but she could put the cat among the pigeons should the trainer consider their options with a stable mate in the same race.

SUMMARY

A good field but one that is dominated by Wasted Away and she is an easy choice on form. She has beaten most of her rivals here and with a great draw looks almost unbeatable. This is, however, HRP and nothing is unbeatable so are there any scenario’s where she won’t win? Well ultimately probably not but there aren’t any natural front runners in this race so there is a possibility something will get an early lead and be able to do so at a slow enough pace to beat the closers down the stretch. The problem is that could easily be Wasted Away from a stable that loves on speed.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES