We head to Keeneland today before the big clash at Oaklawn between Journalism and Sovereignty. We still have a great race here this afternoon in the Grade 2 Doubledogdare Stakes. Older fillies and mares will go a mile and a sixteenth on the main track.
Keeneland Race 9 – Doubledogdare Stakes (Grade 2)
Favored in the Doubledogdare Stakes is the 4 Gin Gin (2/1 morning line). What’s that saying? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me? That’s what we can say with Gin Gin, especially here at Keeneland. She won this race last year at 38-1 then came back in October and won the Grade 1 Spinster at 18-1. She wants to be near the lead and will look to do that in her first race since being eased in the Breeders’ Cip Distaff.
The 1 Alpine Princess finished second in the Grade 3 Royal Delta Stakes at Gulfstream Park in February. She finished second to Claret Beret who defeated three-year-old filly champion Nitrogen in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom three weeks ago. Look for her to be close to the pace here this afternoon.
The 3 Eunomia (9/2 ML) won a division of the Sandy Bottom Stakes at Colonial Downs last month. She was stalking the leader into the turn and took over in the stretch drawing off to an almost three-length win. She looks like she could be challenging Gin Gin early on here this afternoon.
The 7 Peignor (10/1 ML) won an overnight stakes race at Oaklawn last month, drawing off to win by four lengths. She doesn’t necessarily need the lead but she was close to the lead last time out. I don’t think she is fast enough early on in the race, but might be a mare who could be on the scene late today.
Joe’s Pick
Gin Gin may be a horse for course, having won both races she entered last year. I think there could be enough pressure early on in this race that we might be questioning the “horse for course” theory we have about Gin Gin.
I’ll take Alpine Princess here in this race. She finished second to a mare who ended up winning a Grade 1 race last time out. That will move up both Alpine Princess and Eunomia, though the latter will probably challenging the favorite.
I’m calling this race 1-3-4-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 1. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
