Saratoga’s reputation as the “Graveyard of Favorites” was alive and well on Saturday when Counting Stars was outrun in the $600,000 Alabama (G1) by stakes newcomer My Gun’s Loaded.

Counting Stars will be heavily favored to make it three in a row on Saturday in the $600,000 Alabama (G1).

It’s increasingly looking like Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse will have the nation’s leading three-year-old filly in his barn for the second consecutive year.

A rubber match between Counting Stars and Always a Runner is the main storyline going into the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

When Counting Stars brings her A game, she tends to look like the best three-year-old filly in the country.

A rematch of the top three finishers from last month's Kentucky Oaks (G1) is on tap at Saratoga on Friday in the $500,000 Acorn (G1).

Always a Runner entered the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday, the least experienced of the 13 three-year-old fillies in the field.

Fans at Oaklawn Park were treated to a dominating performance by an odds-on favorite.