On Saturday at Saratoga, they will run the Coaching Club American Oaks at a mile and an eighth for three-year old fillies. This used to be a marathon back when it was the final leg of what was then called the Filly Triple Crown, or Triple Tiara. Now it is a prelude, or prep if you will for The Alabama later in the meet.

Always a Runner, the Oaks winner should go favored and gets a rematch with Counting Stars after the latter beat her in The Acorn. Counting Stars should be the solid second choice and get bet right into the favorite. I don’t think the pace really favors either one of them. So maybe we can beat the first two choices, and you can still do that if you are betting win, with 0% takeout right here at AmWager.

I see Directive probably winding up on the led here, maybe somewhat by default. If she sits second, I can live with that as well. I saw her race last out differently than many. I thought she was green and not really focused but on anyway on talent. No equipment change tells me Chad thinks the experience is what she needed and I tend to agree. At 6-1 on the morning line as the other Chad and third or fourth choice at best, with a win over the track and what I see as a pace advantage, I’ll land right here.

Las Rascasse is a bit concerning. Two for two and another who gets a nice jump on these is scary. The sharp Walden barn helps the cause, but I give more weight to that race over the track.

Zany may have had aa legit excuse in the Oaks but she just doesn’t look like she has progressed or even was as good as many, myself included thought she originally was.

As of now, Thursday afternoon, Chad Brown is yet to win a race on the dirt. If that holds until The Coaching Club American Oaks, it should end here one way or the other.