Princess of Sylmar reigns supreme in Alabama

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) – Leading 3-year-old filly Princess of Sylmar solidified her spot atop the division Saturday with a dominating victory in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Javier Castellano, Princess of Sylmar, the 1-2 favorite, stalked the pace in fourth-place and then pounced on her rivals as the five-horse field entered the far turn in the 1 1/4-mile stakes.

Owned by King of Prussia Stable, Princess of Sylmar went four wide around the turn to take the lead. She began to expand her advantage down the stretch and was able to post a 2 1/2-length win over 5-2 second pick Fiftyshadesofhay.

Finishing third was Carnival Court followed by Galloping Giraffe and Montana Native. Tell a Great Story was scratched.

The time for the 133rd Alabama was 2:03.21 on a fast track.

Princess of Sylmar picked up $360,000 for her third straight victory. The filly has won seven of nine lifetime starts for $1,367,220.

The filly was coming off a win in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga last month and captured the Kentucky Oaks on May 3. Princess of Sylmar also registered wins this year in the Busanda and Busher Stakes at Aqueduct with a second in the Gazelle at the New York track.

The win was the first in the Alabama for Pletcher and second for Castellano who had won in 2006 with Pine Island.

“I thought it unfolded beautifully,” Pletcher said. “She broke cleanly. Sitting behind those three horses it looked like Javier had a lot of horse and it was just a matter of waiting to pull the trigger. He put the race to rest pretty much at the quarter pole.”

Princess Of Sylmar returned $3.00, $2.10 and $2.10. Fiftyshadesofhay paid $2.50 and $2.60, and Carnival Court paid $3.50 to show.

Preceding the Alabama in the Sword Dancer Invitational, Big Blue Kitten came surging down the stretch to capture the 1 1/2-mile turf stakes by a length over 7-2 third pick Twilight Eclipse.

Big Blue Kitten, owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, was sent off as the 5-2 second choice behind 9-5 favorite Boisterous in the 12-horse field. Big Blue Kitten was coupled in the betting with Stormy Lord who set the pace.

Nutello finished third in the $600,000 race followed by Tannery, Al Khali, London Lane, Star Channel, Boisterous, Exclusive Strike, Tahoe Lake and Stormy Lord. Optimizer was eased and walked off the course. Teaks North was scratched.

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Joe Bravo, Big Blue Kitten covered the 1 1/2 miles on a firm grass course in 2:26.46.

The 5-year-old horse earned $360,000 as he notched his second straight win and fifth in the last seven starts. Big Blue Kitten became a millionaire with the victory and has won 10 of 17 career races.

Big Blue Kitten was coming off a win at Monmouth Park in the United Nations Handicap. He began 2013 with a third in the Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park and then posted a pair of optional claiming wins. On June 9 he finished second in the Monmouth Stakes behind Boisterous on the grass.

Big Blue Kitten paid $7.90, $4.30 and $3.50. Twilight Eclipse returned $4.70 and $4.10, and Nutello paid $6.40 to show.

Categorized in: Horses