How to Bet the 2019 Dogwood Stakes

Six three-year-old fillies will travel seven-eighths on the Churchill Downs main surface in Saturday’s $125,000 Dogwood Stakes. The opening Saturday feature is led by the exciting Covfefe, who was a courageous winner of the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga last time out.

ANALYSIS

Take Charge Angel (#2) (9-2) was razor-sharp in a recent allowance win on the strip and will set sail for the lead early on. Grade 1 queen Covfefe (#6) (3-5) will be pressing the action from the break, and the pace will be honest at the very least.

Free Cover (#3) (12-1) will be closest to the top pair while the others in the cast will be a few lengths behind her on the backside.

WAGERS

$20 Exacta 6 with 4 = $20
$5 Trifecta Key 6 with 4 with 1,2,5 = $15

Here is the field:

BELL’S THE ONE (#1) (8-1) – Neil Pessin pupil is a two-time stakes heroine who finished a clear runner-up in the Eight Belles Stakes (G2) at Churchill in the spring. Daughter of Majesticperfection was no match in the Acorn Stakes (G1) most recently, but she gets some class relief today on a surface that she is proven upon. Late runner could make the frame after saving ground throughout under Corey Lanerie.

TAKE CHARGE ANGEL (#2) (9-2) – Dark bay lass has flopped in her previous pair of stakes tries, but a repeat of her recent allowance win over a nice field makes her a contender today. The Ben Colebrook trainee has worked in swift fashion in anticipation of the Dogwood and looks to be the inside speed of the field. Brian Hernandez Jr. will send the lightly raced Kentucky-bred from the break.

FREE COVER (#3) (12-1) – In-form daughter of Congrats has never been better with a pair of tallies and a second from three performances leading up to this run. Gray sophomore figures to sit a fine trip tucked in behind the two speedsters early on, and she could get first run turning for home. Robby Albarado will be in the stirrups.

ISTAN COUNCIL (#4) (10-1) – Larry Jones pupil ran off to an impressive 10-length romp at Ellis Park in advance of this assignment. The peaking Istan filly has been in the exacta in four straight, and her pair of recent bullet morning moves indicate that she will be primed for another top showing. Regular pilot Chantal Sutherland stays in the silks.

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE (#5) (4-1) – Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) vixen has been unplaced in three Grade 1 attempts in succession and gets a lot of class relief today. Ian Wilkes charge also cuts back in distance, and she is working sharply in preparation of her third run off the bench. Chris Landros will be up.

COVFEFE (#6) (3-5) – Clear one to beat was all heart in her recent Test Stakes (G1) score at The Spa. Fleet daughter of Into Mischief received a perfect draw outside in the affair and should be ready to roll following a pair of sizzling morning moves on the course most recently. The race goes through the Brad Cox pupil with Shaun Bridgmohan in the controls.

POWELL: Dogwood Stakes Betting Tipsheet

PHOTO: Covfefe (c) Adam Coglianese Photography/Chris Rahayel