At a Glance Preview: Coaching Club American Oaks

As much as the 3-year-old male division has a clear-cut leader in Sovereignty, the sophomore filly division is not as established. With the Alabama Stakes (G1) serving as the most likely spot for that leader to arise, the July 19 Coaching Club American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course could showcase some top prospects for that race with a trio of grade 1 winners in the field of six. 1. Immersive: An undefeated, champion 2-year-old filly in 2024, Immersive's 3-year-old season was delayed and did not start until June 14 when she ran second by a neck to Take Charge Milady in the Monomoy Girl Stakes at Churchill Downs. Given the layoff of 7 1/2 months entering that race, she should take a step forward here and be a major player. JOCKEY: Manny Franco; TRAINER: Brad Cox 2. Sweet Seraphine: Won the one-mile Wilton Stakes in just her third start, but has yet to race beyond a mile or around two turns. Others with more experience are preferred. JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux 3. Scottish Lassie: Won the Frizette Stakes (G1) at 2, but has yet to win in three subsequent starts. Finished third in the Acorn Stakes (G1) last time and could be a threat if she improves off that try in her third start of the year. JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Jorge Abreu 4. Take Charge Milady: Beat Immersive in the Monomoy Girl Stakes and will be dangerous if she can duplicate that effort. Seems an in-and-out sort, but she has worked sharply for this start. JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Ken McPeek 5. Dry Powder: Missed by a neck in the Wilton Stakes and will be part of the early pace scenario. Has never been worse than second in her three career starts, but Dry Powder is untested at the distance and enters off two losses. JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Chad Summers 6. La Cara: Scored a front-running upset win in the mile Acorn at Saratoga. Looks like the one to catch in a small field and should be hard to collar in the stretch. JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Mark Casse THE PICK: La Cara TRIFECTA: 6-1-4