Alabama Stakes (Grade 1) Preview

Racing Dudes Win Bet: #3 Grace Hall

Racing Dudes Exacta Bet: 3,6,7/2,3,4,6,7

Racing Dudes Trifecta Bet: 3,6,7/2,3,4,6,7/2,3,4,6,7

Horses to Use in Vertical Bets: 2,3,5,6,7

Analysis:

1. Sea Island (KY) – I consider this race to be wide open as you can see by the amount of numbers I’ve used in the exotic bets, but this is one of the horses I have not used.  Sea Island was impressive in winning her last race which was an allowance here at Saratoga, but she’s jumping into the deep end of the pool in this one.  She definitely wants two turns, but might not be good enough to hang with this bunch.

2. Zo Impressive (KY) – Six starts in her career, and there are none where she’s finished worse than second.  She won the Mother Goose impressively, and really ran a pretty solid race in the Coaching Club last time out.  She’s a must use in all exotic wagers, but the longer distance might keep her from winning the whole thing.  Really solid horse, and with a win I think she’d move to the top of the three-year old filly division.

3. Grace Hall (KY) – When My Miss Aurelia went down with an injury at the beginning of the year, I felt like this was the best filly in the division.  Even though she didn’t win the Kentucky Oaks, I still felt like she was the best.  She didn’t get a fair trip in that one and I think that cost her, but she came back strong in the Delaware Oaks.  Now the moment is hers to grab.  It’s being said that this is the race that could determine three-year old filly of the year, and Grace Hall seems primed to get the job done.  It’s a tough race, but I think the cream rises to the top on Saturday.

4. Uptown Bertie (KY) – Call my crazy, but you can’t under-estimate horses that ran in the Iowa Festival of Racing!  Two horses, Brushed by a Star and Fort Larned, came back to win major stakes after winning in Iowa.  Can Uptown Bertie make it three?  Personally I believe the Iowa Oaks was one of the weaker races during the festival, but she won that race rather easily.  I think she’ll get the mile and one-quarter pretty well, and with any kind of pace scenario I could see her ruining some tri’s or super’s.  I didn’t put her in mine, but if I wanted to play a long shot she’d be my pick.

5. Via Villaggio (KY) – This is the female version of Nonios, who is also trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.  She’s ran against some of the best filly’s this year and has run very solid every time.  Do I think she can win this one?  Probably not, but I do think she’ll have a say in the exotics.

6. Questing (GB) – There is no questioning this filly is the best in the division right now form wise, now it’s just up to her to hold that form and she’ll be the champion of this division at year’s end.  Horses have struggled to run two strong races in a row in this division all year, so we’ll see if Questing can change that.  One thing is for sure, if she runs her best race she can beat any of these.  There is quality all over this field, but it very well could come down to a Questing vs. Grace Hall showdown which would be great to watch.

7. In Lingerie (KY) – It wasn’t a great race last time in the Coaching Club Oaks for In Lingerie, but you have to remember she had been off since May so maybe she needed that one.  Even though she was clearly beaten last time by Questing and Zo Impressive, I still can’t help but think she’s got a decent shot in this one.  If her odds were to float up to the 8-1 range, I wouldn’t blame anyone for throwing a few bucks on her.  Talented horse…should run better this time.