Thursday, August 20, 2009

Alabama: No 'Rachel,' But Still a Solid Field

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Alabama: No 'Rachel,' But Still a Solid Field
Funny Moon comes into the Alabama off of a win in the
Coaching Club American Oaks.


There are two ways to look at the field for the $600,000 Alabama (gr. I): It could be a disappointment that the nation’s top 3-year-old filly, Rachel Alexandra, is not included in the field. Or, a more optimistic view would be that many of the talented fillies entered for the prestigious race are only there because Rachel Alexandra is not in the field.

Whatever the outlook, a solid field of eight was entered for the 1 1/4-mile event at Saratoga Aug. 22, and they will all look to take a step toward establishing themselves as the second best sophomore filly in the land. Post time is set for 5:47 p.m. for Saratoga’s feature.
Among those in the mix for the Alabama title are the top four finishers from the July 25 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) at Belmont, including the winner, Funny Moon, as well as graded stakes winners last out, Be Fair and Careless Jewel, the latter of which has scored three straight victories.
Owned by Mrs. C. Wilson McNeely III, Funny Moon came from off the pace with a wide stretch move and got up by a neck over Don't Forget Gil in the American Oaks, which was also at 1 1/4 miles. A daughter of Malibu Moon —Fun Crowd, by Easy Goer, Funny Moon fared much better in that race than she did in her stakes debut when finishing eighth in the June 6 Acorn (gr. I) after a troubled trip.
Prior to the American Oaks, trainer Christophe Clement raised Funny Moon’s confidence by placing her in an optional claiming event on July 3, where she romped by more than eight lengths. Overall, the chestnut filly is 4-1-0 from six starts.
Funny Moon, who was bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Stautberg, will break from post 3 with regular rider Alan Garcia aboard.
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