Study Guide: 2025 Alabama Stakes

Aug 13, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

A sensational field has turned out to contest Saturday’s $600,000 Alabama (G1) at Saratoga.

The historic 1 1/4-mile race for three-year-old fillies has attracted three of the division leaders: Good Cheer, La Cara, and Nitrogen. During the spring, Good Cheer entered the history books with a decisive triumph in the 151st Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Let’s check out the full Alabama field:

Margie’s Intention

Start(s): 7
Wins: 3
Place: 3
Show: 0

Owner: WinStar Farm and Tom Mueller
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (90) when winning the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico.
Total Earnings: $349,880

Sire: Honor A. P.
Dam: Playful Dancer
Color: Dark bay/brown

Margie’s Intention has proven to be a capable graded stakes competitor, winning the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and finishing second in the Delaware Oaks (G3). But her career-best 90 Brisnet Speed rating looks a bit light against the Alabama field, so stepping up into the Grade 1 ranks is a question mark.

Good Cheer

Start(s): 8
Wins: 7
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (95) when winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $1,753,230

Sire: Medaglia d’Oro
Dam: Wedding Toast
Color: Bay

Good Cheer was sensational across her first seven starts, winning them all by a minimum of 2 1/4 lengths. This year alone, she’s won the Kentucky Oaks, Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), and Rachel Alexandra (G2). But she misfired when fifth over a sloppy track in Saratoga’s Acorn (G1) last time out, and she’ll need a rebound to add the Alabama to her win tally.

Kinzie Queen

Kinzie Queen wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Renee Torbit)

Start(s): 13
Wins: 2
Place: 4
Show: 3

Owner: John Holleman and Greg Compton
Breeder: Curtis C. Green
Trainer: Greg Compton
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (89) when finishing second in a $62,500 allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $293,030

Sire: McKinzie
Dam: A. P.’s Glory
Color: Bay

Kinzie Queen finished behind Margie’s Intention when third in both the Black-Eyed Susan and the Delaware Oaks. She’ll need a step forward to turn the tables.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen wins the Edgewood at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Renee Torbit)

Start(s): 9
Wins: 5
Place: 2
Show: 2

Owner: D. J. Stable
Breeder: D. J. Stable
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning the Wonder Again (G3) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $1,246,604

Sire: Medaglia d’Oro
Dam: Tiffany Case
Color: Bay

Nitrogen has spent most of her career competing on turf, winning three graded stakes in addition to placing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), Belmont Oaks (G1), and Natalma (G1). But she earned her career-best 97 Brisnet Speed rating in her lone dirt start, when she won Saratoga’s Wonder Again (G3) by 17 lengths. She shouldn’t be underestimated while returning to dirt in the Alabama.

Queen Azteca

Queen Azteca (Photo courtesy of Dubai Racing Club)

Start(s): 9
Wins: 4
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Team Valor International
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm
Trainer: Niels Petersen
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: N/A
Total Earnings: $302,327

Sire: Sharp Azteca
Dam: Princesa Helena
Color: Bay

Queen Azteca is shipping in from overseas after recording four victories in Sweden and Dubai. The Alabama marks her toughest test to date, though take note, she finished an okay fifth when facing males in the UAE Derby (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. She’s won racing as far as about 1 3/8 miles, so tackling 1 1/4 miles in the Alabama shouldn’t be an obstacle.

La Cara

La Cara set the pace and held on from Take Charge Milady in the Ashland (Photo by Coady Media)

Start(s): 11
Wins: 5
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Tracy Farmer
Breeder: Tracy Farmer
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Dylan Davis

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Acorn (G1) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $1,156,083

Sire: Street Sense
Dam: Cara Caterina
Color: Bay

La Cara struggled in the Kentucky Oaks, fading from a pacesetting position to finish ninth. But she’d previously wired the Ashland (G1), and she bounced out of the Kentucky Oaks to post a gate-to-wire triumph over Good Cheer in the Acorn. The latter victory yielded a powerful 101 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest number in the Alabama field, and the form was flattered when third-place finisher Scottish Lassie came back to crush the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). As the lone frontrunner in the Alabama field, La Cara is a threat to lead all the way and snatch a third Grade 1 win.

CONGRATULATIONS to La Cara winning the G1 Acorn!

Jockey: @DavisJockey
Trainer: @markecasse
Owner & Breeder: Tracy Farmer

📷 @coglianesephoto pic.twitter.com/9i23LkMdnw

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) June 6, 2025