We stay at Keeneland for our Sunday race, looking at the Dowager Stakes today. We have 14 fillies and mares entered, with 12 horses running in this mile and a half race.
Keeneland Race 8 – Dowager Stakes (Grade 3)
We are guaranteed one scratch in the main body of the field. The 1 Three Priests was cross entered in Saturday’s Athenia at Aqueduct and finished last in the race. That will mean that there is an opportunity for an also eligible to get into today’s race.
Favored in today’s race is the 12 Neecie Marie (3/1 ML). She comes into this race after wining the Ladies Marathon at Kentucky Downs last month. She closed well to win that Grade 3 race and also showed her kick in the race prior in the Beverly D at Colonial Downs. But she will be in a tricky post with the first of three turns coming very quickly today at Keeneland.
Closer to the pace will be the 6 Surprisingly (6/1 ML). She stalked the pace in the Ballston Spa at Saratoga in August. She will have the opportunity to pass the leaders as they turn for home today.
The 7 Chop Chop (5/1 ML) threw in a bit of a clunker last time in the Ladies Marathon at Kentucky Downs last month. She returns here today and should love the added distance and a flatter turf course that today’s race brings at Keeneland.
The 10 Let’sbefrankbaby (8/1 ML) last raced in Australia in August, finishing fifth in a field of 15. She was ready to close in that race but had nowhere to run with a wall of horses blocking her progress. When she finally got room, it was too late. She’s been close all year Down Under and will look to win in her American debut.
Joe’s Pick
It would be an interesting ending for the Parx local horse Neecie Marie. The connections of this filly will sell her next month at the Fasig-Tipton mixed sale. You figure for the connections that her winning will be the ending they want here today.
But I am intrigued by the 10 Let’sbefrankbaby. She’s a young five-year-old mare. She was bred in Australia, where their breeding season is different from North America. She had all kinds of trouble in the stretch last time and should be rolling at the end here.
I’ll call this race 10-12-6-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 10. Best of luck everyone!
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