Inglorious Sets Sights On Alabama

Donver Stable’s Inglorious, who defeated males in Woodbine’s 1 ¼-mile Queen’s Plate on June 26, will bypass the Prince of Wales, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, in favor facing fillies in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Alabama on August 20, trainer Josie Carroll confirmed Friday morning.

The Queens Plate was Inglorious’ first start against males and third consecutive win, having captured Woodbine’s La Lorgnette on May 15 and the Woodbine Oaks on June 5, and Carroll said she preferred bringing the filly back in the Alabama instead of making a quick turnaround for the Princes of Wales.

“She’s already had five races this year, and she’d be coming back in three weeks,” said Carroll, who won the 2009 Alabama with Donver Stable’s Careless Jewel. “She’s already won over the [Alabama’s 1 ¼-mile] distance. The distance is always a factor in the Alabama.”

The Alabama will be Inglorious’ first race on dirt since she made a pair of starts at the Fair Grounds earlier this year, finishing second in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra and fourth in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks.

“She trained on dirt all winter and trained well over it, although she clearly loves the Woodbine surface,” said Carroll. “This week we’ll start giving her heavier training, and we’ll later figure out [when we’ll take her to Saratoga.]”