How to bet the 2022 Doubledogdare Stakes

A compact field of six, led by champion #1 Malathaat (4-5), will go postward in the $300,000 Doubledogdare S. (G3) at Keeneland on Friday. The feature looks top heavy with the morning-line favorite being as an imposing figure in the affair, and I will key her on top in my wagers.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Kentucky-bred has never run a bad race in her career while compiling a stout 8-6-1-1 line, with a trio of Grade 1 victories to her credit. The Shadwell Stable color bearer ran off the layoff in her 2022 debut to bag the Ashland S. (G1) on this course, and she has been training like a filly ready to roll to commence her four-year-old campaign.

Malathaat, who finished a close third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in her 2021 finale, has a versatile running style and will benefit from being drawn inside of the small cast to save ground throughout. The $1,050,000 yearling purchase is better going longer distances, but this seems like a very reasonable spot to kick start her season under regular pilot John Velazquez.

#6 Lady Mystify (15-1) landed in a deep field in her seasonal bow and was overmatched for conditioner Peter Eurton. The four-year-old Bernardini filly will move forward in her second attempt of the season, and she will also receive a much more favorable voyage on Friday. The speedy sort draws well in the clear and figures to force the tempo from second to the top of the lane in this affair. I think that she could hang on for a minor award at a big price under Flavien Prat.

Defending champ #4 Bonny South (8-5) is Grade 1-placed on the oval following a third-place result in the Spinster S. (G1) in October. Trained by Brad Cox, the Juddmonte homebred possesses a fine late kick and will be a win contender if the pace is swift and contested. The chestnut mare is training well and will be united with Florent Geroux for her five-year-old debut.

Doubledogdare Wagers

• $15 exacta 1 with 4, 6 ($30)
• $10 trifecta key 1 with 4, 6 ($20)