Wet Paint second best in G1 Alabama Stakes

Wet Paint produced a spirited display on her first attempt at a mile and a quarter as she chased home Randomized in the G1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, USA, on Saturday, 19 August.

The Blame homebred had closed strongly from the rear on her four previous Stakes wins, including when scoring by a neck in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks, but found herself closer to the pace after breaking on terms in the highlight for three-year-old fillies.

Flavien Prat soon grabbed the inside rail on Wet Paint, who raced in mid-division of the 10 runners early on before moving up to track Randomized, Defining Purpose and Sacred Wish after the first quarter-mile.

Wet Paint went third as Sacred Wish started to falter half a mile from home, although the Godolphin contender still had several lengths to make up on Randomized and Defining Purpose turning into the straight.

The Brad Cox-trained filly stuck to her task gamely, passing Defining Purpose for second entering the final furlong. She saw out the trip well without challenging Randomized, who made every yard to prevail by four lengths.

Brad Cox said: “I was proud of Wet Paint’s effort. She was maybe a little bit closer than I expected, but I loved where Flavien [Prat] put her and thought she responded when he asked her. She finished up well and was second best today, with no excuses that I can see.”