FROM OFF THE PACE: Alabama Draws Top Sophomore Fillies

FROM OFF THE PACE: Alabama draws top sophomore fillies

How important is it for a horse contending for the three-year-old filly championship to win a major race at Saratoga Race Course? In recent years, it has been essential. The last nine Eclipse Awards in this division have gone to fillies who finished first in a G1 race that summer at the Spa. Five won the Coaching Club American Oaks, four won the Alabama and two won the seven-furlong Test. Two of the nine – Nest in 2022 and Songbird in 2016 – won…

Not Just the Queen of the Lawn: Nitrogen Claims First Elite Level Victory in Alabama

In the 145th running of the GI Alabama Stakes, it was Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) who took home the elite level glory at Saratoga. Entering the race, it was largely billed as a showdown between the 'big three' and it more or less went that way during the running. Nitrogen entered the historic contest fresh off a heartbreaker in the July 5 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational over the course next door where a nose denied her a first Grade I victory. Her to…

Division rankings: Alabama may shake up fillies division

This week, we hit pause on the 3-year-old colts and older dirt males to spotlight the summer's marquee event for 3-year-old fillies, the Grade 1 Alabama. The 3-year-old fillies have taken a backseat to the boys this year, but the Alabama gets a jolt of intrigue with Nitrogen, a turf standout, stepping onto the dirt and into the big leagues. With the division still up for grabs, her connections know a win here could launch her to the top and put …