Always a Runner, Counting Stars Rematch in CCA Oaks

After trading blows in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Acorn Stakes (G1) earlier this spring, Always a Runner  and Counting Stars  are back in action July 25 for a rubber match at Saratoga Race Course: the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

Both of the 3-year-old fillies' trainers, Chad Brown for Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner and Mark Casse for Acorn winner Counting Stars, are confident that their runner is entering the 1 1/8-mile contest in peak form, which should lead to an exciting battle for early favoritism in this year's divisional Eclipse Award race.

The Acorn was a first defeat in four starts for Three Chimneys Farm and Douglas Scharbauer's Always a Runner, who a month earlier had taken the Kentucky Oaks by an authoritative 1 1/4 lengths while closing from off the pace. The Gun Runner   filly entered the clubhouse turn in the Acorn last of five before gradually moving up down the backstretch and taking command entering the stretch. However, she lacked a punch when Counting Stars drew alongside at the eighth pole and burst away to a 3 3/4-length win.

Video: DraftKings Acorn S. (G1)

"She might have still been getting over the Oaks, in hindsight, when I ran her last time. She was just a little off her best," Brown said. "I like the way she's coming into the (CCA Oaks). I see the horse rounding right back into form the way she was before the Oaks."

As for Casse, turning the tables on Always a Runner in the Acorn proved his West Point Thoroughbreds-owned daughter of Honor A. P.🔥   is among the best in the nation, and she only seems to be getting better.

"I think she's better than ever," the dual Hall of Famer said. "We'll see Chad's filly; maybe she didn't have her A game (in the Acorn), I don't know. But I think if Counting Stars comes back and runs her race, they got to beat her."

Brown, Casse Each Enter Second Filly

Both trainers also have additional entrant making the jump into deeper waters off starts in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race held June 4 at Saratoga. Juddmonte's Directive , trained by Brown, stalked the pace that day and went on to a 1-length triumph for her second win in three lifetime starts, while Casse-trained Measure  closed from off the pace to finish second.

Speaking of Directive, another daughter of Gun Runner and a half sister to grade 1 winners Salamis🔥  and Segesta🔥 , Brown said that he feels very confident about her ability now that she's finally putting it all together.

"She's been a work in progress to come around physically and mentally," Brown said. "She's a big, tall, beautiful horse still trying to grow into her frame—and she is getting there. Mentally, I'm proud of her. She's matured a lot, much more focused on her work and I think she'll only get better."

Measure is also one who has taken some time to come around for Gary Barber, Bridlewood Farm, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. She likely will need some speed up front as she has raced toward the rear of the field in all five starts. Casse likes the longer 1 1/4-mile distance of the Aug. 22 Alabama Stakes (G1) for the daughter of Essential Quality  , and believes Saturday will give a good gauge where she stands on class.

"She's a horse we've been excited about from the beginning, but she just lacks any type of (early) speed," Casse said. "She definitely would love the mile and a quarter of the Alabama later on, so we'll just see how she fits in."

a Test for Dandona, La Rascasse

Five other trainers are represented in the drawn field of nine, including Saffie Joseph Jr. who enters Tagermeen Racing's Dandona  for her dirt debut.

The Tiz the Law🔥   filly won the Florida Oaks (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs this winter before off-the-board finishes in the Edgewood Stakes (G2T) and Regret Stakes (G3T), both at Churchill Downs, in the spring. Joseph said he's always thought she could run on dirt, but had gone with the grass early in her career to help her find racing options with longer distances. If she takes to the surface, he believes she can run with the best of them.

"We always wanted to try it. We thought she was dirt, but she needs distance," Joseph said. "She's a horse we feel like has a lot of stamina. If she (takes to) dirt, I think she has the talent to run around most horses."

Also in for a talent test is Resolute Racing and MyRacehorse's La Rascasse🔥 , who has already picked up a stakes win with just two lifetime starts. That came June 13 at Churchill Downs when the Will Walden-trained daughter of Authentic   graduated from her 7-furlong maiden win to take the 1 1/16-mile Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths over a field that included grade 1 winner Percy's Bar .

The remaining three entrants are cross-entered to other spots, with trainers still pondering their decisions July 22. Nycon  is entered for an allowance race at Saratoga July 24 while Zany  and Miss Fulton Gal  are cross-entered in the Monmouth Oaks (G3) Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Zany, who makes her first start since finishing sixth as the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks, will add blinkers in either spot.