2024 Alabama Stakes at a Glance

August 14th, 2024 by Bob Ehalt

Alabama Stakes Saratoga fillies Neon Icon Candied Miss Justify America’s Vow Just Basking Power Squeeze Chatalas Intricate Pletcher Gaffalione Walsh Prat Franco Saez Castellano Dettori jockey trainer

Fillies wheel into the homestretch during the 2023 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, with eventual winner Randomized (second from left, red and white jockey silks) maintaining a lead under pressure. (Eclipse Sportswire)

When the connections of Thorpedo Anna declared their filly would run in the DraftKings Travers Stakes next week, it was welcomed news for the eight 3-year-old fillies who turned out for Saturday’s Alabama Stakes Presented by Keeneland Sales at Saratoga, Instead of being a battle for second money, the Grade 1 Alabama now shapes up as a competitive, wide-open race that could showcase the second-best 3-year-old filly.

Racetrack: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Date: Aug. 17

Purse: $600,000

Distance: 1 ¼ miles

Race: 10

Post Time: 5:43 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Nest (2022), Malathaat (2021), Swiss Skydiver (2020), Songbird (2016), Royal Delta (2011), Silverbulletday (1999), Sky Beauty (1993), Go For Wand (1990), Open Mind (1989), Mom’s Command (1985), It’s In The Air (1979), Desert Vixen (1973), Summer Guest (1972), Shuvee (1969), Gamely (1967), Tempted (1958), Busanda (1950), Vagrancy (1942), Top Flight (1932), Maskette (1909), Beldame (1904), Miss Woodford (1883).

First held: 1872

1. Intricate (6-1 morning-line odds): Was a distant third to Thorpedo Anna in the Coaching Club American Oaks. Has been only worse than third twice in seven starts and should like the added distance. An interesting possibility from the rail.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

2. Chatalas (8-1): Opened the year with a narrow win in the Indiana Oaks. Time was good and if she can move forward here, daughter of Gun Runner can be a contender.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Mark Glatt

3. Power Squeeze (9-2): Was third to Thorpedo Anna in the DK Horse Acorn Stakes. Came back to win the Delaware Oaks. Might appreciate the distance and deserves some attention.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Jorge Delgado

4. Just Basking (5-1): Won the Iowa Oaks in a big effort, but has not displayed anything else close to that. Looks like a candidate for a bounce.

JOCKEY: Chris Landeros; TRAINER: Ian Wilkes

5. America’s Vow (20-1): Comes off a win in an allowance race but faces much tougher company here. Pass.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Timothy Hamm

6. Miss Justify (6-1): Nice win over this track in the Wilton Stakes, which was the steppingstone for last year’s Alabama winner Randomized. Is on the upswing for a Hall of Fame trainer. Should be a major player.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

7. Candied (7-5): Looks like the one to beat. Was second in the CCA Oaks and only subpar effort in six starts came in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes in the spring. The distance is a question mark but checks more of the boxes than the rest.

JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

8. Neon Icon (15-1): Has already won at the distance, but that was on a wet track in an off-the-turf allowance race. Didn’t fire in the Indiana Oaks last time out, which was her stakes debut. Others are more appealing.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Rusty Arnold

THE PICK: Candied

LONGSHOT: Chatalas

SUPERFECTA: 7-1-6-2