The feature race at Saratoga on Saturday was the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/4 miles on the main track, before a crowd of 33,083 on a cool but sunny day. American Invitational Oaks winner Panty Raid was sent off as the 2-1 favorite over her stablemate Octave at 5-2, winner of the Coaching Club American Oaks in her last start. Banshee Breeze Stakes winner Lady Joanne was the 9-2 third choice.
Tough Tiz's Sis and Folk battled on the front end through fractions of 23.48 and 47.56, while being stalked by Lady Joanne. After a fast 6 furlongs in 1:11.34, the pacesetters tired and dropped out of contention, allowing Lady Joanne to inherit the lead after a mile in 1:36.87. Lear's Princess, who was near the back of the field early, followed Lady Joanne into the stretch. The pair battled through the final furlong, with Lady Joanne holding off Lear's Princess in the final strides to prevail by a neck in 2:03.62 over the fast main track. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to late-running Octave in third. Panty Raid raced in sixth early, came out five wide for the drive but showed no rally when asked by jockey Edgar Prado, eventually finishing fifth. Following a stewards' inquiry into the stretch run there was no change in the order of finish.
Results chart
