Could be Hall of a ’Bama
SARATOGA SPRINGS — While the quality of racing has been lacking this meet, Saratoga tries to make up for it Saturday with the running of both the Grade I Alabama Stakes and the Grade I Sword Dancer Invitational.
They highlight an 11-race card and will be shown live on the NBC Sports Network beginning at 5 p.m.
“The Alabama has been an iconic race for many, many, many years,” said Tony Dutrow, who trains the 7-5 morning line favorite Grace Hall. “That’s why it’s such a tough race every year because everyone who has a promising 3-year-old (filly) circles the Alabama on their calendar to be ready to run a great race that day. The history and the tradition are nothing new, and it’s something you expect to continue for many years to come.”
Grace Hall won the Grade I Spinaway Stakes last year at Saratoga and enters the Alabama off a sharp victory in the Grade II Delaware Oaks on July 14.
“She comes to run,” Dutrow said. “She is determined to run the best she can every time she sets foot on the track. That is what makes her special.”
Grace Hall has won five of eight starts, never finishing off the board in her career but has yet to face the mile-and-a-quarter distance of the Alabama, just like the rest of the field.
“Everyone in there is guessing,” said Tony, older brother of troubled trainer Rick Dutrow. “Everyone i n there is hoping. None of them have done it . Everyone is led to believe that their horse will hopefully get the distance, but everyone is guessing.”
Trainer Tom Albertrani is hoping the added distance will help his filly Zo Impressive, who won the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park in June, before finishing second in the Coaching Club America Oaks on July 21.
“It looked like she was finishing in the last eighth of a mile in the Coaching Club,” Albertrani said. “She was gaining a little bit late in the race. I don’t see why she wouldn’t go a little further. She’s been very consistent. She’s been 1-2 in all of her starts. Hopefully, she’ll run her race again.”
In the Sword Dancer, Turbo Compressor will look to take another Grade I race after winning last month’s United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park.
“It simply depends on pace scenario, but he continues to handle the increase in distances we’ve been offering, and he appreciates being on the lead,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
im Dandy winner Alpha turned in his final workout for the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes, covering a half-mile in :48.91. It was the colt’s second workout since taking the July 28 Jim Dandy. Others expected to start in the Travers are Atigun, Five Sixteen, Hansen, Liaison, Neck ’n Neck, Nonios, Stealcase, Street Life and possibly Fast Falcon.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Saturday after X-rays came back negative on his right ankle. The 20-year-old was injured in the starting gate before the third race Friday when his mount reared up. He was taken off the track on a stretcher and brought to Saratoga Hospital, but will be aboard Questing in Saturday’s Alabama.
Hessonite ($ 4.60) took the $150,000 Yaddo Stakes by a length and a half under leading jockey Ramon Dominguez.