With over a decade of horse racing expertise, US Racing delivers data-driven insights and expert picks to sharpen your Alabama Stakes betting strategy, especially when it comes to high-paying exotic bets.
The 2025 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course is set to be a marquee event, pitting the division's best three-year-old fillies against each other in a thrilling 1¼-mile test of stamina. With a talented field of six, the race features a trio of Grade 1 winners and a pair of intriguing longshots, promising a competitive and tactical battle. The race will serve as a crucial test to determine the top filly of the summer.
Stay tuned as we break down why these three are your smartest plays for this summer turf classic.
USR Recommended Picks based on a $2 bet
$2 Trifecta: 1st Good Cheer | 2nd La Cara | 3rd Nitrogen
$2 Superfecta: 1st Good Cheer | 2nd La Cara | 3rd Nitrogen | 4th Margie’s Intention
Betting Insights: Alabama Stakes Betting Strategy
The Main Contenders
The race revolves around a three-way rivalry between the reigning Kentucky Oaks champion, a wire-to-wire Grade 1 winner, and a turf standout making her name on the dirt.
- Good Cheer (8-5): The clear morning-line favorite, this Kentucky Oaks heroine enters the Alabama looking to rebound from her first career defeat in the Acorn Stakes. Trainer Brad Cox is confident the filly has bounced back and will benefit from the longer distance, which her pedigree suggests she'll handle easily. She's a formidable closer who will be looking for a fast pace to set up her powerful late run.
- La Cara (5-2): A proven front-runner with Grade 1 victories in the Ashland and Acorn, she is the controlling speed of the race. She defeated Good Cheer in their last meeting at Saratoga, leading from gate to wire. The big question is whether she can maintain her speed over the grueling 1¼-mile distance, but her connections are optimistic. If she gets a comfortable lead, she'll be challenging to catch.
- Nitrogen (9-5): The biggest wild card in the field. Primarily a turf star, she enters the Alabama Stakes after a dazzling 17-length win on the dirt in the Wonder Again Stakes. Trained by Mark Casse, she possesses a dangerous turn of foot and the versatility to be a serious threat in her second career start on the dirt. With jockey Jose Ortiz in the saddle, she's a high-upside play who could spoil the party for the two favorites.
The Outsiders
While the spotlight is on the top three, the remaining contenders could shake up the exotics and potentially pull off an upset.
- Margie's Intention (8-1): A consistent filly who has finished in the exacta in six of her seven starts, including a Grade 2 win. She is stepping up in class, and while her speed figures are lower than the top contenders, she always gives an honest effort and could factor into the superfecta.
- Queen Azteca (12-1): A European shipper making her U.S. debut, she adds an international flair to the field. With a proven record in Dubai and Sweden, she has experience at longer distances, which could prove to be an advantage.
- Kinzie Queen (15-1): The longest shot on the board, she has consistently finished in the money in stakes races but has yet to win a graded event. She will need to improve significantly to contend for the win, but could be a factor for the deeper parts of a superfecta.
The 2025 Alabama Stakes is shaping up to be a tactical masterpiece, with multiple scenarios in play and no clear-cut winner. The race's outcome determines the top three-year-old filly of the year.
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.
