Kentucky-bred Counting Stars took control of the sophomore fillies division with a decisive win in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. The impressive score marked her second straight Grade 1 triumph.
Irad Ortiz, Jr. was aboard Counting Stars in the Acorn Stakes (G1) and climbed back aboard the daughter of Honor A.P. again in the Coaching Club American Oaks. Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse for West Point Thoroughbreds, Counting Stars was an authoritative winner of the Acorn last out. She beat Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Always a Runner in the Acorn and again in the CCA Oaks, which served as a rubber match between the two fillies.
“She’s a special horse. She is,” Casse said. “It was great for racing to see the two of them go at it. We said all along this week that this was round three, the rubber match. So, that’s what happened. Luckily, we ended up on the right side of it.”
Counting Stars emerged sharply from the inside post, taking up the role of pacesetter. Jose Ortiz rushed Always a Runner up into contention in the early stages to race along the inside in the second flight. The beat went on for Counting Stars up front as she reached the half mile in 47.60 and three-quarters in 1:11.55. It was a match race from the top of the stretch on as the two fillies battled it out. It appeared Always a Runner would pull ahead at the eighth pole as she briefly stuck her head in front. But Counting Stars found more under urging and would not be denied. She pulled away in the final sixteenth to gallop home an easy winner in the final time of 1:48.98.
Counting Stars Prevails in CCA Oaks Rubber Match
Casse said Counting Stars’ adaptability is her best asset.
“I knew that Chad [Brown] would have Always a Runner better today. But I felt that we were better today as well,” Casse said. “Somebody asked me, ‘what’s the difference between a decent horse and a good horse?’ The good ones continue to get better, and she is getting better and better. She doesn’t need any help. If there’s no speed, she’ll go to the lead. If there’s a bunch of speed, she’ll sit off of them. So, that makes her special as well.”
Casse added he expects Counting Stars to contest the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) on Aug. 22 next.
A $150,000 purchase at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Counting Stars has proven to be a bargain after boosting her bankroll to $1,660,606 with the $275,000 she banked for her CCA Oaks victory. She adds to an impressive ledger that includes an additional graded score in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes (G2) in March at Oaklawn Park.