Tipsheet: 2026 Alabama Stakes Tipsheet

A cast of six three-year-old fillies will go 1 1/4 miles on the dirt in Saturday’s $600,000 Alabama (G1) at Saratoga. 

Alabama Stakes Picks

• #6 Counting Stars
• #4 My Gun's Loaded
• #3 Measure

Alabama Stakes Wagers

• $20 exacta 6 with 4
• $10 trifecta 6 with 3,4

 key 6 with 3,4

Alabama Stakes Contenders

#1 NYCON: Beckman trainee was never involved in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) last time but will improve with a nice slot on the rail second time back. By Nyquist, the sophomore filly is a two-time stakes-placed sophomore who will be running from off the pace with Dylan Davis in the silks. 

#2 ATI GIRL: Recent maiden winner from the barn of Bill Mott looked good from a visual standpoint at nine panels last time but takes a massive class rise on this occasion. The bay has been improving since joining this outfit and will also appreciate the added ground on Saturday. John Velazquez will guide the exotics contender. 

#3 MEASURE: First of two from the Casse barn was a clear third in the Coaching Club American Oaks in her latest attempt and surely has top-three appeal back on this oval. The Essential Quality filly has put in a pair of good efforts locally at the meeting and will be well placed turning for home to grab a share late, with Flavien Prat inheriting the mount. 

#4 MY GUN’S LOADED: Main danger to the favorite has been very impressive in two dominant wins on this course and gives me the impression of a filly who will thrive in her two-turn debut on Saturday. Trained by Chad Brown, the Gun Runner sophomore has been finishing full of run at shorter distances as of late and has also been training well at this venue all summer, as well. Manny Franco retains the ride atop the $650,000 yearling purchase. 

#5 A. P.’S GIRL: Peter Eurton pupil is a talented three-year-old who comes in off a trio of stakes placings in succession, but the Honor A. P. filly will need vast improvement to challenge this cast late in her second graded try. The bay will have Tyler Gaffalione in the silks and could grab a minor award if she excels at 10 panels. 

#6 COUNTING STARS: Leader of the division has dominated in both the Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks in her last two and will be formidable with her best showing. The Mark Casse pupil is on a fine run of form currently and is reportedly training better than ever leading up to her third outing on the oval. The tactical miss might go right to the lead in a mostly paceless affair with Irad staying in the silks.