Alabama Stakes Picks – Counting Stars to Make History at the Spa (Aug 22)
- When: Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 6:42 PM ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
History could be made at Saratoga this weekend, as Counting Stars bids to become just the fifth horse to win the Acron, Coaching Club, and Alabama Stakes in the same season. The superstar filly has already secured her spot at the Breeders’ Cup but her odds could shorten with the best horse racing betting sites for the Distaff with another dominant performance. But, is there any stopping Counting Stars in the Alabama? Find our picks here.
Alabama Stakes Odds
| Horse (Draw) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Nycon (1) | +4000 |
| Ati Girl (2) | +1000 |
| Measure (3) | +800 |
| My Gun’s Loaded (4) | +450 |
| A.P.’s Girl (5) | +2000 |
| Counting Stars (6) | -200 |
Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/4 Miles |
| Purse | $800,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons (8) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Jorge Velazquez, Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith (5) |
ALSO SEE: Premier League 2026/27: Our Experts Make Their Winner, Relegation, and Top Scorer Picks
Alabama Stakes: Recent Winners
- 2025– Nitrogen (Jose Ortiz/Mark Casse)
- 2024– Power Squeeze (Javier Castellano/Jorge Delgado)
- 2023– Randomized (Joel Rosario/Chad Brown)
- 2022– Nest (Irad Ortiz/Todd Pletcher)
- 2021– Malathaat (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher)
Alabama Stakes: Betting Preview
The featured race on the Saratoga schedule this weekend is the final race of the American Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing. The G1 Alabama Stakes will be run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles, and it has been won by subsequent Breeders’ Cup Distaff victors such as Malathaat and Royal Delta.
That is a path that Counting Stars looks to follow this term, but the Mark Casse-trained superstar could achieve a feat that no horse has achieved since 1993 by winning all three legs of the Triple Tiara. Counting Stars has been electric since finishing third in the G1 Kentucky Oaks, recording back-to-back demolitions against Oaks winner Always a Runner in both the Acorn and Coaching Club. If at that same level, no horse in this field will get near her.
Measure is a second runner for the Casse yard on Saturday, but she will have plenty to find on bare form after finishing a well-beaten third in the G1 Coaching Club last time out.
A.P.’s Girl could be of interest at a bigger price after winning twice from five starts in 2026. There was a lot to like about her third in the G2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and further improvement can’t be ruled out.
My Gun’s Loaded is likely to be the biggest danger based on the odds. The Chad Brown runner was an excellent winner over a mile at Saratoga on debut, and she looks set to improve further over a trip as a daughter of Gun Runner.
Alabama Stakes Picks
There is no need to overthink the Alabama Stakes this weekend. Counting Stars is much the best filly in the field, and if she replicates any of her runs this season, then she will pull away to win by a two- or three-length margin. A statement win would also see her odds for the Distaff shorten, and she will be a major player against her elders later in the season.
Free Pick:
Saratoga Picks for August 22
| Race | Pick |
|---|---|
| R1 – Maiden Special Weight | Just Tipsy |
| R2 – Allowance Optional Claiming | Ashbury Park |
| R3 – Maiden Special Weight | Pass On By |
| R4 – Claiming | Five Dozen Roses |
| R5 – Maiden Claiming | Racing Bloom |
| R6 – Maiden Special Weight | White Truffles |
| R7 – Allowance Optional Claiming | Cat On Time |
| R8 – Allowance | Moonlight Ready |
| R9 – Allowance | Fact |
| R10 – G2 Ballston Spa Stakes | Segesta |
| R11 – G1 Alabama Stakes | SEE ABOVE |
| R12 – Maiden Special Weight | Home Wrecker |
