CCA Oaks round three for Counting Stars, Always a Runner

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

The pair have emerged as the leading three-year-old fillies of their generation in recent months. Always a Runner was a convincing winner of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in only her third lifetime start, but Counting Stars reversed the result of her third-place finish at Churchill Downs with a decisive 3 3/4-length tally in last month's Acorn (G1).

"I think she's better than ever. I expect her to run an even bigger one," said Mark Casse, trainer of Counting Stars.

Despite their presence, the 1 1/8-mile Coaching Club American Oaks attracted seven other entries. Zany, sixth as the lukewarm 5-1 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks, has been cross-entered in the Monmouth Oaks (G3) on Saturday, where she could potentially meet Black-Eyed Susan (G2) winner My Miss Mo.

Regardless of where she runs Saturday, Zany will race with blinkers in an attempt to halt a two-race losing streak.

"I feel like it is time to mix things up a bit and make a change," trainer Todd Pletcher said.

In addition to Always a Runner, trainer Chad Brown has also entered stakes newcomer Directive, who landed a track-and-distance allowance by one length over Measure on June 4. Also stepping up in class are Monomoy Girl S. winner La Rascasse and Florida Oaks (G3) heroine Dandona, who tries dirt for the first time.

Earlier in the card, Just Beat the Odds and Built are among a field of eight in the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2) over six furlongs.