Princess of Sylmar and Fiftyshadesofhay, arguably the two leading three-year-old fillies in the country, are set to square off for division leadership in Saturday's $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
Princess of Sylmar is the current leader of the sophomore fillies, having won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I), Busher Stakes, and Busanda Stakes this season. Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by King of Prussia Stable, a victory in the prestigious Alabama would virtually assure Princess of Sylmar the Eclipse award as champion of her division, regardless of what happens during the remainder of the year.
But standing in Princess of Sylmar's way will be Fiftyshadesofhay, a well-traveled filly from the barn of Bob Baffert. After winning the Santa Ysabel Stakes (gr. III) in January, Fiftyshadesofhay placed in both the Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) and Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) at Santa Anita, then powered to impressive victories in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) and Iowa Oaks (gr. III). True, she has not yet won a grade I race, but victory in the Alabama would remedy that, and set her up for a late-season run at the division title.
The other four Alabama entrants would need to step up in a major way to contend against the top two contenders. Tell a Great Story has won three of six starts, including the Go For Wand Stakes at Delaware Park, but could only manage a third-place finish in the Delaware Oaks (gr. II) last time out. Montana Native was impressive in winning the Broom Dance Stakes at Saratoga last month, but is taking a large step up in class. Galloping Giraffe has only one victory to her credit, in a maiden claiming race, but finished a strong second in a nine-furlong allowance race here at Saratoga last month and could be coming on strongly at the finish. Lastly, there is Carnival Court, who has won two of her three starts, including a one-mile allowance race at Belmont last time out.
PP/Horse/Jockey
1 Tell a Great Story/Junior Alvarado
2 Montana Native/Junior Alvarado
3 Galloping Giraffe/Rajiv Maragh
4 Princess of Sylmar/Javier Castellano
5 Carnival Court/Irad Ortiz, Jr.
6 Fiftyshadesofhay/John Velazquez
-Keelerman
Showing posts with label Alabama Stakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alabama Stakes. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Monday, August 20, 2012
QUESTING WINS THE ALABAMA STAKES!
Questing stamped herself as the leading three-year-old filly in the country when she blew the doors off her rivals in Saturday's $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, putting on an incredible display of raw speed and talent to win the prestigious ten-furlong race by nine lengths.
Ridden to victory by Irad Ortiz Jr., Questing flashed speed right from the start and quickly seized command of the lead by running the opening quarter mile in a stiff :22.84 seconds. Grace Hall, Zo Impressive, and In Lingerie were her closest pursuers, with Via Villaggio, Sea Island, and Uptown Bertie at the back of the pack following some severe bumping entering the first turn.
Up front, Questing continued to showcase her tremendous speed by running the half-mile in :46.01 and three-quarters in a blazing 1:09.74. Grace Hall, Zo Impressive, and In Lingerie continued to track her quick pace as a group, but rounding the far turn Grace Hall and Zo Impressive gave way, leaving Questing and In Lingerie alone to settle the race between them. But in the end, there was nothing to settle. Turning for home, Questing kicked clear of her rival and drew off strongly -- despite ducking back and forth throughout the homestretch -- to win the race by nine lengths in the sharp time of 2:01.29, which was the fastest running of the Alabama since Go For Wand won the race in 1990 and the third-fastest in history.
In Lingerie finished second, eight lengths clear of Via Villaggio. Zo Impressive finished fourth, but was subsequently vanned off with a fracture in her leg. The injury is not life-threatning, but may potentially end her career. Grace Hall, Sea Island, and Uptown Bertie completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.
-Keelerman
Ridden to victory by Irad Ortiz Jr., Questing flashed speed right from the start and quickly seized command of the lead by running the opening quarter mile in a stiff :22.84 seconds. Grace Hall, Zo Impressive, and In Lingerie were her closest pursuers, with Via Villaggio, Sea Island, and Uptown Bertie at the back of the pack following some severe bumping entering the first turn.
Up front, Questing continued to showcase her tremendous speed by running the half-mile in :46.01 and three-quarters in a blazing 1:09.74. Grace Hall, Zo Impressive, and In Lingerie continued to track her quick pace as a group, but rounding the far turn Grace Hall and Zo Impressive gave way, leaving Questing and In Lingerie alone to settle the race between them. But in the end, there was nothing to settle. Turning for home, Questing kicked clear of her rival and drew off strongly -- despite ducking back and forth throughout the homestretch -- to win the race by nine lengths in the sharp time of 2:01.29, which was the fastest running of the Alabama since Go For Wand won the race in 1990 and the third-fastest in history.
In Lingerie finished second, eight lengths clear of Via Villaggio. Zo Impressive finished fourth, but was subsequently vanned off with a fracture in her leg. The injury is not life-threatning, but may potentially end her career. Grace Hall, Sea Island, and Uptown Bertie completed the order of finish.
The winner is owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.
-Keelerman
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: IN LINGERIE
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables LLC
Jockey: Javier Castellano
RACE RECORD
Age 3
3rd TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I)
1st Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II)
1st Bourbonette Oaks (gr. III)
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 12th: 4f in :48.70 at Saratoga
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables LLC
Jockey: Javier Castellano
RACE RECORD
Age 3
3rd TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I)
1st Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II)
1st Bourbonette Oaks (gr. III)
2nd Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
| Unbridled | ||
| Empire Maker | ||
| Toussaud | ||
| In Lingerie | ||
| Storm Cat | ||
| Cat Chat | ||
| Phone Chatter |
LAST WORKOUT
August 12th: 4f in :48.70 at Saratoga
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: QUESTING
Owner: Goldolphin Racing
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Breeder: Darley
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
5th Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
5th Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I)
2nd Weight for Age Stakes
3rd Weight for Age Stakes
1st Maiden Weight for Age
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 11th: 4f in :47.02 at Greentree Training Center
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Breeder: Darley
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
5th Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
5th Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I)
2nd Weight for Age Stakes
3rd Weight for Age Stakes
1st Maiden Weight for Age
PEDIGREE
| Danzig | ||
| Hard Spun | ||
| Turkish Tryst | ||
| Questing | ||
| Seeking the Gold | ||
| Chercheuse | ||
| Sassy Bird |
LAST WORKOUT
August 11th: 4f in :47.02 at Greentree Training Center
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: VIA VILLAGGIO
Owner: Steve Beneto
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Breeder: Michael Lynch
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
RACE RECORD
Age 3
2nd Delaware Oaks (gr. II)
3rd Hollywood Oaks (gr. II)
1st Railbird Stakes (gr. III)
5th Senorita Stakes (gr. III)
5th China Doll Stakes
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
1st Maiden Special Weight
3rd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
3rd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 12th: 5f in 1:03.60 at Del Mar
Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Breeder: Michael Lynch
Jockey: Corey Nakatani
RACE RECORD
Age 3
2nd Delaware Oaks (gr. II)
3rd Hollywood Oaks (gr. II)
1st Railbird Stakes (gr. III)
5th Senorita Stakes (gr. III)
5th China Doll Stakes
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
Age 2
1st Maiden Special Weight
3rd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
3rd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| A.P. Indy | ||
| Bernardini | ||
| Cara Rafaela | ||
| Via Villaggio | ||
| Alhaarth | ||
| Hoh Buzzard | ||
| Indian Express |
LAST WORKOUT
August 12th: 5f in 1:03.60 at Del Mar
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: UPTOWN BERTIE
Owner: Richard, Bertram, and Elaine Klein
Trainer: Steve Margolis
Breeder: Bertram Klein
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st Iowa Oaks (gr. III)
1st Allowance
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
3rd Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
5th Maiden Special Weight
3rd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 9th: 6f in 1:14 at Churchill Downs
Trainer: Steve Margolis
Breeder: Bertram Klein
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st Iowa Oaks (gr. III)
1st Allowance
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
3rd Maiden Special Weight
4th Maiden Special Weight
5th Maiden Special Weight
3rd Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Southern Halo | ||
| More Than Ready | ||
| Woodman's Girl | ||
| Uptown Bertie | ||
| De Niro | ||
| De Bertie | ||
| Pigeon Pea |
LAST WORKOUT
August 9th: 6f in 1:14 at Churchill Downs
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: GRACE HALL
Owner: Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and the Elkstone Group
Trainer: Anthony Dutrow
Breeder: Darley
Jockey: Javier Castellano
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st Delaware Oaks (gr. II)
3rd Kentucky Oaks (gr. I)
1st Gulfstream Oaks Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II)
Age 2
2nd Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I)
1st Blue Hen Stakes
1st Spinaway Stakes (gr. I)
1st Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 12th: 4f in :49.40 at Delaware Park
Trainer: Anthony Dutrow
Breeder: Darley
Jockey: Javier Castellano
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st Delaware Oaks (gr. II)
3rd Kentucky Oaks (gr. I)
1st Gulfstream Oaks Stakes (gr. II)
2nd Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II)
Age 2
2nd Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I)
1st Blue Hen Stakes
1st Spinaway Stakes (gr. I)
1st Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| Unbridled | ||
| Empire Maker | ||
| Toussaud | ||
| Grace Hall | ||
| Ezzoud | ||
| Season's Greeting | ||
| Dream Season |
LAST WORKOUT
August 12th: 4f in :49.40 at Delaware Park
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: ZO IMPRESSIVE
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Trainer: Thomas Albertrani
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
RACE RECORD
Age 3
2nd TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I)
1st Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Acorn Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Gulfstream Oaks Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 13th: 5f in 1:01.90 at Saratoga
Trainer: Thomas Albertrani
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
RACE RECORD
Age 3
2nd TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I)
1st Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Acorn Stakes (gr. I)
2nd Gulfstream Oaks Stakes (gr. II)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
Unraced
PEDIGREE
| Danzig | ||
| Hard Spun | ||
| Turkish Tryst | ||
| Zo Impressive | ||
| Cozzene | ||
| Zoftig | ||
| Mrs. Marcos |
LAST WORKOUT
August 13th: 5f in 1:01.90 at Saratoga
Alabama Stakes Contender Profile: SEA ISLAND
Owner: Phipps Stable
Trainer: Claude McGaughey III
Breeder: Phipps Stable
Jockey: Joel Rosario
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
9th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
LAST WORKOUT
August 13th: 4f in :48.20 at Saratoga
Trainer: Claude McGaughey III
Breeder: Phipps Stable
Jockey: Joel Rosario
RACE RECORD
Age 3
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
4th Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III)
1st Allowance Optional Claiming
1st Maiden Special Weight
Age 2
2nd Maiden Special Weight
2nd Maiden Special Weight
9th Maiden Special Weight
PEDIGREE
| A.P. Indy | ||
| Pulpit | ||
| Preach | ||
| Sea Island | ||
| Pleasant Colony | ||
| Resort | ||
| Extravagant Woman |
LAST WORKOUT
August 13th: 4f in :48.20 at Saratoga
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Alabama Stakes Entries and Post Positions
Here are the entries and post positions for the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I), to be run on Saturday at Saratoga. The ten-furlong race for three-year-old fillies has drawn an incredibly talented field of seven, led by grade I winners Grace Hall, Zo Impressive, and Questing.
1 Sea Island
2 Zo Impressive
3 Grace Hall
4 Uptown Bertie
5 Via Villaggio
6 Questing
7 In Lingerie
-Keelerman
1 Sea Island
2 Zo Impressive
3 Grace Hall
4 Uptown Bertie
5 Via Villaggio
6 Questing
7 In Lingerie
-Keelerman
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