Counting Stars towers over Alabama field as Casse looks to go back to back

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There was some thought about trying Counting Stars against the boys in the Travers. But in looking at the alternative for the leading 3-year-old filly in the country, trainer Mark Casse thought Saturday’s Grade 1 Alabama Stakes was equally appealing.

“I think she would be very competitive against the colts,” Casse said. “The Alabama is the Alabama; it’s something that is extremely special.”

Moreover, it’s always special to be odds-on in a Grade 1 stakes, which Counting Stars figures to be against five rivals, none of whom has won a stakes, in the $600,000 Alabama at 1 1/4 miles. Always a Runner, who beat Counting Stars in the Kentucky Oaks, is being pointed to the Grade 1 Cotillion on Sept. 19 at Parx Racing by Chad Brown, who does have the promising My Gun’s Loaded in the Alabama.

Counting Stars, a daughter of Honor A. P. owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, will try to become the first filly to win three Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga in a year. She is aided in that quest by the Acorn having been run at Saratoga in June as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Counting Stars also won the Coaching Club American Oaks in July. Winning three Grade 1s at Saratoga for any filly is a rare achievement. November Snow and Ginger Punch are believed to be the only ones to have accomplished that feat, each doing so over a period of two meets.

Casse also will be seeking to win the Alabama in back-to-back years as he won the race last year with Nitrogen, that filly’s only Grade 1 victory in a campaign that ended with an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly.

Casse was quite confident that Counting Stars was going to win the Kentucky Oaks. But she could do no better than third, finishing 2 1/2 lengths behind Always a Runner, after getting off the rail a bit late. Counting Stars rebounded in a big way, twice defeating Always a Runner in the Acorn and Coaching Club, both at 1 1/8 miles.

“She’s continued to get better and better,” Casse said. “Her race in the Acorn was what I was expecting in the Oaks.”

In the Coaching Club, Counting Stars won on the pace, taking advantage of her inside post to establish the early lead and then battling back and drawing away when confronted by Always a Runner turning for home. The way Counting Stars finished the Coaching Club gives Casse confidence that the 1 1/4 miles of the Alabama will be fine.

“I don’t see how that can be an issue,” Casse said.

Irad Ortiz Jr., who has not ridden in two weeks due to an injured foot, is expected back to ride Counting Stars on Saturday from post 6.

Though she breaks from post 6, Counting Stars could be the controlling speed again.

Casse also sends out Measure, who finished in third in the Coaching Club American Oaks after getting off slow and making a wide bid around the far turn and into the stretch. She was beaten 6 3/4 lengths.

“I think Measure’s going to run really good,” Casse said. “I think she’ll like the mile and a quarter. I think she made a little bit of a premature move. If, for some unknown reason, Counting Stars stubs her toe, I think Measure could be one of the finalists.”

Flavien Prat rides Measure from post 3.My Gun’s Loaded, a daughter of Gun Runner, has gone 2 for 2 for Brown this year – both wins at Saratoga – winning a seven-furlong maiden race June 6 and a first-level allowance going a one-turn mile July 24.

“We don’t have a two-turn race into this horse,” Brown said. “The first time two turns going a mile and a quarter is a huge ask, but I think she has exceptional ability, so we’ll see. Am I positive about it? No. I’m positive she’s a good horse.”

Manny Franco, who has 26 wins from 102 mounts since Aug. 1 at Saratoga, has the call on My Gun’s Loaded from post 4.

A. P.’s Girl, a daughter of Honor A. P., finished third in the Black-Eyed Susan and third in the Monomoy Girl at Churchill Downs on June 13. Trainer Peter Eurton gave A. P.’s Girl a freshening after that race.

“We believe she should get the distance, it’s just the class jump that will be our challenge,” Eurton said. “We think she’s going into the race in great shape.”

Tyler Gaffalione is named to ride A. P.’s Girl from post 5.

Ati Girl, trained by Bill Mott, comes off a maiden win in her eighth career start. Nycon looks to rebound off a well-beaten sixth in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

The Alabama goes as race 11 on a 12-race card that begins at 12:35 p.m and includes the Grade 2, $300,000 Ballston Spa.