What Is The Alabama Stakes That Is Run At Saratoga Race Track?

There are few more celebrated racetracks in the United States than Saratoga. The track plays host to some of the biggest races on the schedule throughout the season in North America, and it is one of the most visited among international visitors.

Saratoga is often considered to be the oldest sporting venue in the United States, but it is actually the fourth oldest race track in the United States after Pleasanton Fairgrounds, Fair Grounds and Freehold Raceway.

You can find out everything that you need to know about one of the biggest races staged at Saratoga annually- the Alabama Stakes- here.

Saratoga Race Course History

Saratoga Race Course was officially opened in August 1863, but before racing was staged at the track it was home to trials of speed and exhibitions of horses at fairs throughout the 1820s. Harness racing was also staged at Saratoga before the debut of thoroughbred racing in the 60s following the dedication of John Morrissey to bring some of the country’s best stars to the region.

The first meet at Saratoga was a major success, which led to Morrissey buying further land in the hope of expanding the course. It was during this period that investment was also made to improve the grand stand and other visitor areas around the track.

Saratoga has been used to host racing events throughout history since 1864, with the only exceptions coming in 1896 and between 1911 and 1912 due to anti-gambling legislation. However, its place as one of the best places to watch horse racing was evident after being named tenth in the Sports Illustrated rankings for best sporting venues.

What Is The Alabama Stakes?

The Alabama Stakes is one of the biggest races on the schedule at Saratoga, and it has been staged annually since 1872. But why is it called Alabama if it happens in New York? The reason is William Cottrell, an owner and horse breeder, from Mobile, AL, who won the Kentucky Derby in 1884 with Buchanan.

It is a particularly important race for runners looking to compete in the American Triple Tiara, as it forms the final leg following the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks.

The Alabama Stakes is run on the dirt. It is a Grade One for fillies aged three, and a regular purse of $600,00 is made available to winning connections. The race was named in honour of Willie Cottrell of Mobile, Alabama. The name of the race was determined after Cottrell was too modest to have a race in his name.

However, it has been bypassed on the racing schedule on a number of occasions throughout history, with the editions between 1893 to 1896 and 1898 to 1900 not staged. But, it was famously one of few races that was still competed during the Second World War, although it made its temporary home at Belmont Park.

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Alabama Stakes Records & Famous Winners

There have been some iconic moments in the Alabama Stakes throughout history. Jorge Velasquez, Jerry Bailey, and Mike Smith are the most successful jockeys in the race, with all having landed five victories. However, Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons is the most dominant trainer throughout history, landing eight victories in the Alabama Stakes between 1924 and 1959.

There have been some memorable performances in the race throughout history, including Go For Wand’s record-breaking speed finish of 2:00.80 in the 1990 edition. A number of recent winners of the race have also come with massive reputations, including 2020 victor Swiss Skydiver, who also became the sixth filly to win a Triple Crown race after her win in the Preakness Stakes.

Malathaat was a very impressive winner of the race in 2021, capping a memorable start to the season that also included victories in the Ashland Stakes and Kentucky Oaks. She ended a memorable career in the winners’ circle after landing victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 2022.

Graveyard Of Champions

Bettors are typically wary of siding with runners at a short price at Saratoga, with a number of short-priced favourites turned over, leading the track to be nicknamed the ‘Graveyard of Champions’. The first big upset came in 1919, as Man o’ War suffered his only defeat in 21 career starts in the Sanford Stakes.

Gallant Fox would also succumb to defeat after winning the Triple Crown when falling short to 100/1 outsider Jim Dandy in the Travers Stakes. Secretariat was another big-name loser after winning the Triple Crown when coming up short in the Whitney Handicap.

Rachel Alexandra was named the 2009 Horse of the Year, but she was a loser in the Personal Ensign Stakes in the same year after losing her lead in the final stages. The most recent big-name upset came in 2015 when American Pharoah was beaten at odds of 1/5 in the Travers Stakes by Keen Ice. That was one of just two career losses that the Grand Slam champion would suffer throughout his career.