Saratoga Race Course hosts one of the most prestigious events on the summer horse racing calendar as three-year-old fillies test their endurance across ten grueling furlongs in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes. Horse racing enthusiasts across North America and around the globe can tune into live television coverage provided by FOX Sports. The national broadcast network delivers comprehensive coverage through its popular Saratoga Live programming, airing across FS1 and FS2 throughout the afternoon, with the marquee feature race broadcast live on the main FOX network television.
Digital streaming gives fans the flexibility to watch every moment of the Saratoga weekend card on any device. Online sportsbooks, advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platforms, such as BUSR racebook, deliver seamless HD live streams directly to desktop browsers, tablets, and mobile applications. Bettors who sign up for an account can access real-time pari-mutuel updates, live tote board movements, and high-definition video feeds. Whether you watch from home or wager on the go, staying locked into live streams allows you to capture late track biases, monitor paddock physical appearance, and track shifting Alabama Stakes odds before placing your wagers.
Mark Saturday, August 22, 2026, on your racing calendar for the 146th renewal of the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Saratoga features an action-packed 11-race card on Saturday, with the first race slated for a 1:05 PM Eastern Time post time. The Alabama Stakes serves as the featured centerpiece of the card, positioned late in the afternoon as Race 10 with an approximate post time of 5:45 PM Eastern Time. Gates open early at 11:00 AM Eastern Time, welcoming thousands of passionate fans to Saratoga Springs, New York.
Planning your race-day viewing schedule requires precise timing to capitalize on late wagering movements and paddock observations. Early morning workouts and track updates begin around 8:00 AM Eastern Time, giving sharp handicappers early insight into track surface conditions. Coverage on Saratoga Live kicks off at 12:30 PM Eastern Time, offering thorough race-by-race previews, jockey interviews, and track handicapping tips. Keep track of accurate timeline markers so you can finalize your account deposits, evaluate late changes, and check updated Alabama Stakes odds prior to post time.
Weather plays a pivotal role in determining track bias and stamina demands at Saratoga Race Course, particularly when fillies tackle the classic 1 1/4-mile distance for the first time. The forecast for Saturday, August 22, in Saratoga Springs calls for classic mid-summer racing conditions, with temperatures near 82°F under partly cloudy skies. Moderate humidity around 55% and gentle southwest breezes at 6 to 10 mph will create a warm, summer atmosphere across the historic grandstand and paddock grounds.
Track officials anticipate a fast main dirt track and firm turf courses for Saturday's card, though typical summer convection currents carry a slight 20% chance of a brief localized afternoon rain shower. A dry, fast main track heavily favors horses with tactical speed and proven rhythm over long distances, whereas any sudden downpour would transform the main strip into a sloppy or muddy surface. Handicappers must carefully weigh past performances on off-tracks and track surface bias reports before committing capital to their final Alabama Stakes betting strategies.
The Alabama Stakes highlights an extraordinary weekend of stakes action at Saratoga, featuring multiple graded events that attract championship-caliber Thoroughbreds from across North America. Saturday's program includes prestigious supporting stakes such as the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes for three-year-old fillies on the inner turf course and the Grade 1 Del Mar Handicap inter-track simulcast events. The overall Saturday program offers deep betting pools, rich pick-four and pick-five sequences, and competitive field sizes across both dirt sprint and route divisions.
Extending your handicapping focus across the entire weekend racecard exposes high-value wagering opportunities outside the feature race itself. Friday's card lays the foundation with competitive allowance races and juvenile stakes, while Sunday features sprint stakes that test future graded winners. Analyzing track trends across Friday and early Saturday provides valuable clues on whether inside rails are holding or wide closers have a distinct advantage, equipping smart bettors with actionable knowledge before locking in their Alabama Stakes betting tickets.
First run in 1872, the Alabama Stakes stands as the historic female counterpart to the Belmont Stakes, testing three-year-old fillies at the grueling distance of ten furlongs. Named in honor of William R. Travers' friend William Constable Hall's home state, the Alabama requires supreme stamina, mental fortitude, and tactical intelligence. Throughout its storied history, legendary champion fillies such as Go for Wand, Sky Beauty, Open Mind, Songbird, and Malathaat captured the Alabama en route to Eclipse Award honors and Hall of Fame immortality.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nitrogen | José Ortiz | Mark E. Casse | 2:03.31 |
| 2024 | Power Squeeze | Javier Castellano | Jorge Delgado | 2:04.35 |
| 2023 | Randomized | Joel Rosario | Chad C. Brown | 2:03.07 |
| 2022 | Nest | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:03.14 |
| 2021 | Malathaat | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:02.59 |
| 2020 | Swiss Skydiver | Tyler Gaffalione | Kenneth McPeek | 2:03.04 |
Winning the Alabama Stakes often cements a filly's status as the undisputed leader of her division, validating her stamina credentials against the best distance horses in the nation. Modern victors like Nest and Swiss Skydiver showcased how a dominant performance at Saratoga projects into autumn championship success at the Breeders' Cup. Understanding historical speed figures, pace dynamics, and stamina demands from past renewals helps handicappers separate true classic stayers from vulnerable sprinters trying to stretch their speed over ten furlongs.
The 2026 edition of the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes features an intriguing field of six three-year-old fillies competing for classic glory and a major share of the purse. The official morning line places clear emphasis on proven class and speed figures, establishing a distinct heavy favorite alongside longshot opportunists. Below is the complete, official field listing post positions, horse names, state of breeding, age/sex, medication status, assigned jockeys, carried weight, trainers, and official morning-line odds.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nycon (KY) | D Davis | D Beckman | 20/1 |
| 2 | Ati Girl (KY) | J R Velazquez | W I Mott | 10/1 |
| 3 | Measure (KY) | F Prat | M E Casse | 6/1 |
| 4 | My Gun's Loaded (KY) | M Franco | C C Brown | 3/1 |
| 5 | A. P.'s Girl (KY) | T Gaffalione | P Eurton | 12/1 |
| 6 | Counting Stars (KY) | I Ortiz, Jr. | M E Casse | 1/2 |
Last Updated on 08/20/2026
Evaluating this official line reveals sharp contrasts in wagering value across the board. Heavy favorite Counting Stars commands top billing at 1/2 odds from the outside post position, while mid-tier contenders like My Gun's Loaded (3/1) and Measure (6/1) draw heavy support from sharp handicappers. Longshots Nycon (20/1), A. P.'s Girl (12/1), and Ati Girl (10/1) offer lucrative payout potential for exotic wagers, giving smart bettors diverse ways to structure profitable tickets when they bet on Alabama Stakes action.
Nycon breaks from post position 1 under jockey Dylan Davis, carrying longshot status at morning-line odds of 20/1. Trainer D. Beckman steps this Kentucky-bred filly up into elite Grade 1 competition after solid local allowance performances. Drawing the rail gives Dylan Davis an immediate opportunity to save ground along the turn, which proves crucial when trying to pull off a shocker at ten furlongs. However, Nycon must answer significant class questions against top-tier stakes fillies who consistently post faster speed figures.
From a tactical perspective, Nycon likely secures a comfortable pocket position just behind the early pacesetters. To make an impact on the board, she needs a contested pace up front to tire out the favorites and unlock a clear path along the rail turning for home. While her current speed figures sit below the race benchmark, her rail trip and stamina-oriented pedigree make her an intriguing inclusion for deep trifecta and superfecta tickets at inflated Alabama Stakes odds.
Ati Girl enters post position 2 under the guidance of Hall of Fame jockey John R. Velazquez and master trainer William I. Mott at 10/1 odds. Bill Mott excels at developing late-blooming three-year-old fillies for classic distance races, and Ati Girl fits that traditional development profile. Featuring prime stamina in her bloodlines, this filly showcased strong galloping power in her recent prep races, suggesting that the ten-furlong distance of the Alabama plays directly into her physical strengths.
John Velazquez brings unrivaled big-race judgment to the saddle, knowing precisely when to reserve energy around Saratoga's tight turns. Ati Girl will likely settle into a mid-pack stalking position off the early tempo before unleashing a sustained drive entering the stretch. If the early leaders push each other through demanding early fractions, Ati Girl presents immense value for horseplayers looking to hit profitable exotic payouts in their Alabama Stakes betting structures.
Measure breaks from post position 3 as one of two uncoupled entrants fielded by elite trainer Mark E. Casse, listing at competitive 6/1 odds. World-class jockey Flavien Prat takes the mount, bringing elite tactical timing and riding intelligence to this talented filly. Measure boasts strong graded stakes experience and consistently runs high late-pace figures, demonstrating the ability to sustain a long, grinding stretch run against top-quality competition.
Flavien Prat will likely position Measure four to five lengths off the pace during the opening half-mile, saving energy while keeping the leaders within striking distance. As the field reaches the far turn, Prat will look to launch a wide, powerful move to challenge the front-runners. Given Mark Casse's exceptional record in major fillies classics, Measure represents a primary contender capable of making a strong winning run if the heavy favorite falters in the final furlong.
My Gun's Loaded breaks from post position 4 as the defined second choice in the wagering at 3/1 odds for premier trainer Chad C. Brown. Jockey Manuel Franco controls the reins aboard this highly regarded filly who has demonstrated elite speed figures and remarkable acceleration throughout her three-year-old campaign. Chad Brown excels at targeting major Saratoga stakes, and My Gun's Loaded has received targeted training specifically designed to handle the extended 1 1/4-mile distance.
Tactically, My Gun's Loaded possesses superior turn-of-foot, allowing Manuel Franco to stalk close to the lead without pushing the early pace. Franco can track the early leaders around the second turn, waiting for the ideal moment to strike as the field turns into the Saratoga stretch. With her impressive credentials, high speed ratings, and top-tier connections, My Gun's Loaded represents the most formidable challenger to the favorite and remains a mandatory inclusion across all Alabama Stakes betting tickets.
A. P.'s Girl settles into post position 5 at morning-line odds of 12/1, representing trainer Patrick Eurton and dynamic jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Shipping in with proven stamina credentials, this filly possesses a deep closing style that thrives in long-distance dirt routes. Tyler Gaffalione's aggressive yet patient riding style suits A. P.'s Girl perfectly, allowing her to settle into her natural rhythm early before making a dramatic late run from off the pace.
The ten-furlong distance of the Alabama Stakes offers A. P.'s Girl her ideal setup, provided the early race tempo remains honest and demanding. Gaffalione will likely drop back toward the rear of the field early, conserving valuable energy along the backstretch. When the front-runners begin to tire in the late stages, A. P.'s Girl will be passing tired horses, making her a dangerous price horse to include in vertical exotic combinations at attractive Alabama Stakes odds.
Counting Stars breaks from the outside post position 6 as the formidable 1/2 morning-line favorite for trainer Mark E. Casse and without the champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., due to an injury. This standout filly has dominated her division with brilliant victories, exhibiting rare tactical speed, effortless acceleration, and unquestioned distance capabilities. Irad Ortiz, Jr. knows this filly intimately, and drawing the outside post allows him to control the race mechanics from the start without facing interior traffic. But in the next few hours, we'll see who replaces Ortiz in the saddle.
As the heavy favorite, Counting Stars holds every technical advantage on paper, with superior speed figures and proven big-race dominance. Ortiz can comfortably position her just outside the early pacesetters, letting her cruise smoothly around both turns before drawing away in the stretch. While short odds reduce straight win value, Counting Stars forms the logical, trustworthy key horse for multi-race sequences and exacta tickets when horseplayers bet on Alabama Stakes races.
Pace analysis suggests the 2026 Alabama Stakes will likely unfold at a manageable early tempo, favoring horses with high tactical speed. Without a dedicated sprinters' duel expected up front, My Gun's Loaded and Counting Stars hold the upper hand to establish ideal stalking positions just off the early leader. If Irad Ortiz, Jr. places Counting Stars in a comfortable outside tracking spot, she can dictate the terms of the race entering the far turn, forcing the longshots to make early moves.
To maximize profits on short-priced favorites, smart handicappers use targeted vertical and horizontal wagering strategies. Building exactas with Counting Stars over My Gun's Loaded and Measure concentrates stake money on the most probable outcomes while staying efficient. For larger potential payouts, constructing trifecta and superfecta wheels that place price horses like Ati Girl and A. P.'s Girl in the second, third, and fourth positions yields lucrative returns against short Alabama Stakes odds.
Strategic horseplayers should also leverage daily pick-four and pick-five pools featuring the Alabama Stakes as an anchor leg. Using Counting Stars as a single or strong core key allows you to spread deeper in more competitive turf races on the Saratoga Saturday card. Keep a close eye on final track bias updates and late tote board movements to secure maximum wagering value before placing your final wagers on your preferred online betting platform.
Counting Stars stands out as the most complete, talented filly in this field and holds every physical asset required to conquer Saratoga's ten-furlong challenge. Her seamless combination of high cruising speed, tactical flexibility, and top-tier speed figures makes her extremely difficult to beat under champion rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. Expect Counting Stars to track the early leaders effortlessly before launching her decisive move entering the stretch to claim victory in the 146th Alabama Stakes.
For second and third, My Gun's Loaded and Measure offer the strongest class and stamina foundation to finish in the top spots. My Gun's Loaded possesses the explosive stretch acceleration to press the favorite late, while Measure's relentless grinding style ensures she stays strong through the grueling final furlong. Meanwhile, Ati Girl represents the top longshot candidate to crash the trifecta under John Velazquez if the early pace quickens unexpectedly.
The stage is set for an unforgettable day of world-class Thoroughbred racing at historic Saratoga Race Course. Whether you favor heavy-hitting favorites like Counting Stars or plan to cash big on longshot value with Ati Girl, securing the best market price on your selections is essential for long-term horse racing success. Don't let race day pass you by without taking full advantage of premium online betting features, live streaming HD video, and real-time odds tracking.
Sign up for a BUSR account today to unlock your exclusive $1,000 welcome bonus, risk-free wagers, and deposit match offers for Saturday's Saratoga racecard. Registering takes only minutes, giving you instant access to seamless deposits, expert handicapping tools, and fast payouts. Join now, explore the latest Alabama Stakes odds, analyze the field, and place your wagers today to experience the thrill of victory as you bet on Alabama Stakes action live.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
