Alabama

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Kentucky Oaks (G1) queen PROUD SPELL (Proud Citizen) will be seeking her

second Grade 1 victory when taking on five rivals in Saturday's $600,000 Alabama

S. (G1) at Saratoga. The Larry Jones trainee showed brilliance as a juvenile,

taking the Matron S. (G2) before running second to Indian Blessing (Indian

Charlie) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She continued to run

against that rival in the beginning of her sophomore campaign, registering a

runner-up effort in the Silverbulletday S. (G3) before finally getting the best

of Indian Blessing in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Proud Spell did not like

Keeneland's Polytrack when going in the Ashland S. (G1) but still gutted out a

third-place finish, and returned to the winner's circle with a dominating

five-length score in the Kentucky Oaks.

Proud Spell suffered a horrible trip in the Mother Goose S. (G1), crossing

under the wire in second before being disqualified to third, and returned to the

barn a bit scratched and battered. The bay lass recovered quickly, though, and

was sent to the gate just two weeks later to score in the Delaware Oaks (G2)

most recently. Regular rider Gabriel Saez will be in the saddle, and the pair

could get the job done in this 1 1/4-mile test.

MUSIC NOTE (A.P. Indy) has been unbeatable since breaking her maiden in her

second career start and will probably go off favored in this spot. The bay filly

began her career with Tom Albertrani but was transferred to Godolphin and

trainer Saeed bin Suroor after a 7 1/4-length maiden victory last November.

Since then, Music Note has dominated her rivals, recording a seven-length

allowance win, taking the Mother Goose by 3 1/2 lengths and trouncing her

competition in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) by 11 lengths last out. Her

numbers have been excellent as well, as she earned a 113 BRIS Speed rating for

her CCA Oaks victory. Javier Castellano has been aboard for all of Music Note's

wins and will attempt to keep their perfect record going.

LITTLE BELLE (A.P. Indy) and Music Note are coupled in the wagering due to

common ownership and trainer. The three-year-old miss earned her shot in the

Kentucky Oaks when taking the Ashland, and was best of the rest when running

second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) counterpart. That was her final start for

trainer Kiaran McLaughlin as bin Suroor took over in time for her to finish

second in the CCA Oaks last out. The bay will be looking to turn the tables on

both Proud Spell and Music Note, and has the talent to do just that. Rajiv

Maragh has been in the irons for all but one start and will take up the reins

once again here.

While the top three have each other's measure, SWEET VENDETTA (Stephen Got

Even) could be the wild card in the Alabama. The Gary Contessa charge did face

Little Belle in the Busher S. after breaking her maiden earlier this season,

running second on that occasion, and has since captured the Andover Way S. and

Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2). She earned a 102 Speed figure for that last one and

could surprise in the top three with Ramon Dominguez picking up the mount.

There was a buzz surrounding MUSHKA (Empire Maker) last year after the Bill

Mott trainee delivered a 4 1/2-length victory in the Demoiselle S. (G2). She was

considered a contender for the Kentucky Oaks earlier this season, but was ruled

out of consideration for that race and didn't reappear until July 25, running

third in an allowance/optional claimer at Saratoga. The dark bay lass probably

needed that race following the eight-month layoff and could fill out the bottom

of the gimmicks in this spot.

SKYLIGHTER (Sky Mesa) looks way in over her head here, but the Bobby Frankel

charge will pick up a check even if she finishes last.