Expert Pick of the Week: 2025 Alabama Stakes

Aug 14, 2025

The 1 ¼-mile test on the main oval attracted some of the best horses in the division, led by Kentucky Oaks (G1) star Good Cheer. Trained by Brad Cox, the superb daughter of Medaglia d’Oro concluded her fine four-for-four juvenile campaign with a measured win in the Golden Rod S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 30, and she picked up right where she left off in 2025.

The Godolphin homebred dominated the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in Louisiana to commence her three-year-old season, preceding her fantastic win under the Twin Spires on the First Friday in May to move her sterling mark to seven-for-seven. Racing at Saratoga for the initial time on June 6 in the Acorn S. (G1), the classy lass never fired over the sloppy, sealed surface. She checked in an uncharacteristic fifth while never getting into contention.

Good Cheer gets a pass for that slip-up over a quirky racing surface on the day and has trained well in advance of her second run at this locale. The filly shows six well-spaced half-mile moves in advance of Saturday and gives the impression of a lass who might relish the move to 10 furlongs for the first time in her career. Regular rider Luis Saez will have the star saving ground early before asking her for her patented run approaching the turn for home.

Good Cheer stays perfect in the Kentucky Oaks!! 🌸🏆@bradcoxracing @luissaezpty @godolphin

🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/oSv5L4EJm2

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 2, 2025

The Spa seemingly brings out the best in Acorn S. (G1) queen La Cara for conditioner Mark Casse. A daylight maiden winner on the course as a juvenile, the millionaire daughter of Street Sense has excellent gate presence and can be tough to run down if she gets into a nice rhythm on the front end, which is very possible in this affair. The Tracy Farmer homebred should be quite fit while making her sixth run of the season, and she will be sent to the to soon after the break with Dylan Davis retaining the mount.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #2 Good Cheer on top of #6 La Cara in the 2025 Alabama Stakes is the Expert Pick of the Week.