My oh my, this summer has certainly flown by. The Saratoga season is always short and sweet, and we’re almost ready to kiss this one goodbye.
It’s jarring to realize it’s almost over. Racing fans are acutely aware of the calendar that shows only three weeks left at Saratoga.
And what a three weeks they are, headlined by two of the most consequential Grade 1 races for 3-year-olds: the $600,000 Alabama Stakes for fillies this Saturday and the $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 29. The meet concludes Labor Day weekend with a pair of Grade 1 stakes for up-and-coming juveniles: the $300,000 Spinaway for fillies on Sept. 5 and the $300,000 Hopeful on Sept. 6.
Looking at the Alabama, Counting Stars understandably scared off the competition. She will face only five rivals in the 1 ¼ miles test in a bid to extend her Grade 1 winning streak to three.
After a third-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Counting Stars headed to Saratoga to capture the Acorn Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks. She’s the prohibitive 1-2 favorite to complete the Grade 1 hat trick as the only stakes winner in the race.
“She’s doing great, and she has got a lot of energy, but she couldn’t be doing any better,” trainer Mark Casse said. “She’s a big filly, and she’s just gotten bigger and stronger with racing. I think that’s the key here. A lot of horses plateau early and don’t improve, and she’s just gotten better and better. I’m not so sure she’s not at her best right now. She amazes me each and every day.”
Casse is in position to pull off an amazing double: consecutive Alabama wins. He won this race last year with Nitrogen.
“It’s something I would have never even dreamed of,” Casse said of the chance to win back-to-back editions. “It’s special, and hopefully we can win it again with another special filly.”
Counting Stars rolled to a 4 ¼ length win in the CCAO over Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner. Nycon (sixth) and stablemate Measure (third) return from the CCAO for another try. Ati Girl, My Gun’s Loaded and A.P.’s Girl complete the compact field.
By all standard measures of class and speed figures, Counting Stars is a standout in this spot. The only vulnerability might be the 10-furlong distance. She has never gone this far.
The distance question opens a small upset window for Ati Girl (10-1), who was a good second in a Churchill Downs maiden race at 1 ¼ miles for trainer Bill Mott. This will be her stakes debut after scoring her maiden win here last month. It’s an ambitious leap from a first win into a Grade 1 race, but then again, it is Bill Mott.
My Gun’s Loaded, the 3-1 second choice, will also be looking to extend her winning streak to three, although at a more modest level than Counting Stars. She posted a maiden win and an allowance victory and will try to stretch out beyond a mile for the first time. Trainer Chad Brown also trains Always a Runner, who will not re-oppose Counting Stars in the Alabama and will be rerouted to the Cotillion Stakes (G1) on Sept 19 at Parx Racing,
“It’s a big jump in distance, and that’s not ideal, but she’s had two good runs over the surface, which I like,” Brown said of My Gun's Loaded. “She’s been a nice addition to the barn, and I’ve been very impressed with her since day one.”
Post time for the Alabama is 6:42 p.m. ET.
Another note for Saratoga visitors before we get to our selections. It’s always heartening to see a classic stand the test of time, and that’s certainly the case at the Wishing Well. Located a few miles north of Saratoga Springs, the Wishing Well has been a local tradition since 1936. It’s a throwback to a grand time and place in an elegant setting.
Don’t pass up the veal chop special (if available) and start your dining experience with delectable oysters. Always oysters!
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 08/19/2026
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.
