How to bet the 2021 Dowager Stakes

Sunday’s $150,000 Dowager S. (G3) at Keeneland features a field of 10 fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles on the lawn. The well-matched group lacks a standout for sure, and I think a number of the horses entered have a realistic chance to take home the top prize.

I will use #9 Key Biscayne (6-1) in all of my wagers for trainer Mike Maker. By Brethren, the four-year-old flashed a lot of ability while facing top foes in the Empire State last campaign, and she appears to have raced herself back into shape with three runs this season following a long layoff.

The chestnut filly was a stakes winner in an off-the-turf contest at Gulfstream Park two back, prior to finishing second to the fantastic Pocket Square in an allowance tilt at Saratoga most recently in her first for this outfit. The Florida-bred ran a few solid races at extended voyages in 2020, and I believe that she will thrive with the move to 12 furlongs on Sunday. Tyler Gaffalione will be in the silks.

Stakes winner #5 Luck Money (3-1) has been consistent with top foes when marathoning on the lawn and is a prime exotics contender for Delacour. Lookin at Lucky filly has been first and second from a pair of tries on the local green, and the four-year-old comes off a fine effort on the sod at Kentucky Downs most recently. Joel Rosario will take the reins.

Group 3 vixen #4 La Lune (7-2) just missed when second in her U.S. debut and is another exotics must-use. Vaughan pupil will be doing her best work in the final furlong with Beschizza back in the silks.

#6 Micheline (9-2), who was second in the 2020 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1), has gone unplaced in four straight but could surely wake up in her return to Lexington for Mike Stidham. Bernardini filly will be running on late under the guidance of Florent Geroux. 

Dowager Wagers

• $1 trifecta 9 with 4,5,6 with all ($24)
• $1 trifecta 4,5,6 with 9 with all ($24)
• 50-cent superfecta 9 with 4,5,6 with 4,5,6 with all ($21)