My Gun’s Loaded pulled off an upset in the Alabama Stakes; Counting Star finished third
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The pupil of Chad Brown made a major leap to capture her first G1 victory at Saratoga, prevailing by a neck over Measure, while the heavy favorite finished third; Manny Franco was flawless aboard the daughter of Gun Runner
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Chad Brown knew he needed to devise a fresh formula to defeat Counting Stars (Honor A.P.), the filly who had bested his champion Always a Runner (Gun Runner) in back-to-back starts at Saratoga. He found the answer right inside his own barn.
My Gun’s Loaded, until recently an ascending talent with just two starts under her belt in 2026, made a massive leap to capture Saturday’s $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1-2,000m), fending off Measure (Essential Quality) by a neck, while divisional leader Counting Stars finished third after battling to the final yards.
The daughter of Gun Runner was purchased by Douglas Scharbauer for $650,000 at the Keeneland September Sale in 2024. After debuting in December under Steve Asmussen, she transferred to Chad Brown's care and resurfaced on June 6 at Saratoga with a victory over 1,400 meters. On July 24, she struck again, this time over the mile.
Stepping straight from there into the 2,000-meter test of a G1 appeared to be an aggressive gamble. However, Chad Brown held a crucial piece of insight: My Gun’s Loaded had been training alongside Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Always a Runner, and was moving every bit as well—if not slightly better—than her stablemate.
"Always a Runner was second the last two times, but she won the Kentucky Oaks and her numbers remain very strong. However, when she works with My Gun’s Loaded, you can always see at the end of the drill which one has a little more to give, and it’s this one—at least over this track," Chad Brown explained.
With José Ortiz filling in for his injured brother Irad Ortiz Jr., Counting Stars assumed the lead and set measured fractions of 24.25, 49.44, and 1:14.06. Manny Franco, meanwhile, placed My Gun’s Loaded right behind the favorite and waited for the right moment to launch his move.
"At the three-furlong pole, I angled her outside Counting Stars and she immediately grabbed the bit. I didn't want to move too early because someone could come from behind, but I had plenty of horse beneath me," the jockey explained.
And someone did come: Measure, Counting Stars' stablemate in the Mark Casse barn, made a sharp interior charge. Counting Stars turned for home in front, My Gun’s Loaded quickly range up alongside her, and Measure joined the fight.
For several strides, the three fillies raced virtually on a line. Counting Stars finally faltered inside the final 100 meters, and My Gun’s Loaded managed to hold off Measure's late surge by a neck, completing the 2,000 meters in 2:04.87.
"Counting Stars is a great filly. Today I had the advantage of coming in with a fresh horse. You can't take anything away from Counting Stars for the way she fought; she’s been running in every major race since the Oaks. It took a fresh filly to beat her, and that shows just how good she is," admitted Chad Brown, who also praised Manny Franco's flawless ride.
Mark Casse expressed no disappointment with his star's third-place finish either. "She ran hard and she’s been dancing every dance for a long time. I’m proud of her. Today just wasn't her day. Chad Brown’s filly is quite good, and perhaps she simply got the better of us," he noted.
The Alabama outcome reopens the debate for the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly title. Counting Stars maintains a compelling case, but Always a Runner and now My Gun’s Loaded are squarely back in the discussion.
Chad Brown elected to reserve Always a Runner for the Cotillion Stakes (G1) on September 19 at Parx Racing, while the Alabama winner could face older mares for the first time in either the Beldame Stakes (G2) or the Spinster Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.
The ultimate target for all three will be the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) on October 31, also at Keeneland.
For now, Counting Stars retains her edge atop the division. But following Saturday's drama at Saratoga, My Gun’s Loaded has crashed the party in a battle that previously seemed to belong to just one horse.
