SPORTS N STUFF

Lynyrd Skynyrd brought the tune ‘Sweet Home Alabama to the masses but those in upstate New York have been singing the praises about the Alabama Stakes winners for decades and the Grade 1 fixture will be renewed Saturday at Saratoga at a mile and a quarter on dirt.

Star after star over the years and sophomore fillies with names like Banshee Breeze, Heavenly Prize, Shuvee, and Go for Wand have been celebrated in the charmed winners circle and last year Blind Luck was coming off a win in the Grade 2 Del Mar Oaks before shipping across the country to come from 6 lengths back and get up by a neck with a 100 Beyer.
Two of the obvious runners to be examined are Its Tricky and Plum Pretty. Sports betting players know they just ran one/two in the Grade 1 CCA Oaks at Saratoga on July 23 as Tricky was earning her 5th win in 6th starts. Her tactical speed always gives her a chance for victory while Plum Pretty made all the running in the Oaks but just ran out of octane.

She drilled for this race on Tuesday and Martin Garcia flew from California for the work. He was impressed. Garcia: “I think shes better than before. Man, she really feels good. I hope there isnt that much speed in the race. As long as shes relaxed, it doesnt matter where she is, but shes better pretty close up.”

Online horse betting players should know that Pinch Pie is sharp, but could be a little fragile as the races are spaced. Her versatility may be her best asset as she has run well in the off going and on grass and the blood is there for her to have a very nice future.

Both of her siblings won over $220,000 including stakes placed full brother and over $250,000 earner Rogue Victory.

Royal Delta could not answer the talents of Its Tricky and company last time but she has some upside to her. She has only run one poor race and was hung wide that day in the 2011 debut. This miss proved her class winning the Grade 2 Black Eyed Susan the day before the Preakness and she was off for two months before her last effort.

Cant fault those that figure she has every right improve in this spot.

St. Johns River is the real deal. She has run well at a number of different venues and has a solid turn of late foot.

Canadian invader Inglorious looped the field winning the Queens Plate at Woodbine but probably needs to improve to win. This miss is 5 for 5 in Canada but lost her two stateside efforts. Backers have to hope she can revert to the Woodbine glory days.

If youre betting horses, look for it to unfold similar to this: Plum Pretty will have revenge on her mind from the sound of the bell and Garcia will let her roll to the lead on her own power.

Its Tricky will try to maintain contact and get the first run on the deep closers but will not be able to out game the leader when it counts.

Use those two on top with possible perfect tripper Pinch Pie in the third trifecta slot just holding off St. Johns River.
Good luck.