Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes Presented by Keeneland Sales and the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes Presented by Caesars Sportsbook, both at Saratoga Race Course, the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks Presented by Keeneland Sales at Del Mar, and other major developments this weekend.

GOOD RECOMMENDATION: When Power Squeeze won the 1 1/16-mile Delaware Oaks by a nose on July 8, jockey Javier Castellano was so impressed he suggested to trainer Jorge Delgado that her next start should be in the 1 ¼-mile Alabama. “I liked the way she won that. She finished really strong, galloping out really well. She gave me the impression that day she could go the mile-and-a-quarter distance,” Castellano said. “I suggested to the trainer that he should put her in the Alabama because she had something to finish at the end. She is a fighter.” She fought hard indeed to outduel favored Candied by a head in the Alabama, providing Delgado with his first Grade 1 triumph in the demanding race for 3-year-old fillies.

Grayosh gets up late. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

WORTH A SHOT: Trainer Chad Brown was unsure about whether to enter Flanagan Racing’s Grayosh in the Lake Placid, a 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 3-year-old fillies. Then she drew the rail and he decided to take a shot. The reward was his record-extending sixth Lake Placid victory and fourth in a row following recent successes with Technical Analysis (2021), Haughty (2022) and Aspray (2023). “She really was training super and then I just entered to take a look. When she drew so well, I said, ‘You know what? Let’s give it a go. I think she can at least be competitive and get a piece.’ She showed a lot there to find more and really outfinish a good horse.” With Flavien Prat aboard, Grayosh outslugged She Feels Pretty by a neck. Brown indicated he will seriously consider the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes on Oct. 12 at Keeneland for Grayosh’s next start.    

Iscreamuscream stays undefeated. (BENOIT photo)

HEADY RIDE: The success of a jockey and his mount often depends on when the rider signals his horse to go. A premature move can be as ruinous as waiting too long. Hector Berrios stayed cool with Iscreamuscream when Umberto Rispoli and favored Whiskey Decision opened an advantage of nearly two lengths on the backside during the 1 1/8-mile Del Mar Oaks. When Berrios signaled it was time to go, Iscreamuscream blew past the frontrunner and went on to a 1 ½-length decision for her fourth victory in as many starts. Trainer Phil D’Amato was quick to credit Berrios, noting that he “didn’t push the button early.” D’Amato went on, “He gets along with this filly very well and keeps her energy level up at all times and she’s able to finish the way she does. That’ll win you a lot of races.” 

Thorpedo Anna ready for the Travers. (Eclipse Sportswire)

FINAL PREPARATIONS: Thorpedo Anna completed her final preparations for the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers Stakes on Aug. 24 when she worked five furlongs in 59.81 seconds in the company of the maiden Elko County on Saratoga’s main track Saturday. “We just wanted to let her stretch her legs over the main,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “The colt she worked against is not a high-level colt, but it was enough to keep her interested. It was a nice, happy five-eighths and a nice gallop out.” The daughter of Fast Anna, dominant within her division, will attempt to become the first filly to defeat males in the Travers since Lady Rotha in 1915 when the “Mid-Summer Derby” is run next Saturday.

Dornoch (outside) works at the Spa Aug. 17. (Eclipse Sportswire)

SITTIN’ ON GO: Dual Grade 1 winner Dornoch also drilled for the final time ahead of the Travers when he was timed in 47.65 seconds on Saratoga’s main track Saturday. He breezed to the outside of workmate Ringy Dingy, a stakes winner. “He did it pretty easy,” said trainer Danny Gargan. “He galloped out a minute and change and it was kind of his routine work here.” Dornoch is attempting to join Point Given (2001) as the only horses to sweep the Belmont, Haskell and Travers. Dornoch was sired by Good Magic. He is a full brother to Mage, last year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner.