How to bet the Doubledogdare Stakes

An excellent field of six fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland main surface in Friday’s $100,000 Doubledogdare S. (G3).

Doubledogdare Analysis

The pace of the affair should be solid at the very least, which will aid the late-running contenders. Todd Pletcher’s well-bred #3 Graceful Princess will break on top, but she will be tracked by #4 Eres Tu and #6 Speech. (Another forward type, #7 Bajan Girl, was scratched.)

Grade 3 heroine #1 Royal Flag will be saving ground throughout behind the top trio, and the Chad Brown charge might have the best turn of foot in the cast. 2020 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) vixen #5 Bonny South, who was a smart runner-up in the Alabama S. (G1) in the summer, will be trailing along with #2 High Regard.

Doubledogdare Contenders

#1 ROYAL FLAG (5-2) -- Candy Ride mare makes her seasonal debut for Brown. Homebred five-year-old has been training well in preparation for her first Keeneland endeavor, which includes a pair of local moves as of late. Top pick will have Rosario in the silks.

#2 HIGH REGARD (20-1) -- Capable closing type from the Oliver shedrow didn’t fire at Gulfstream last out but will improve on this surface. Daughter of Will Take Charge would be a big surprise on top, although she can grab a minor share late with a well-timed ride under Bejarano.

#3 GRACEFUL PRINCESS (12-1) -- Tapit five-year-old has yet to run to her catalog page for Pletcher. The bay hails from a barn having a sensational meeting, however, and she will be the one to catch while coming in fresh off the rest. Luis Saez will be in the stirrups.

#4 ERES TU (4-1) -- Delacour trainee shows a trio of wins and a second from four outings dating back to October, including a facile allowance score at Keeneland. Daughter of Malibu Moon enters with some fine morning drills, and she could be good value, as well. Gaffalione has the call.

#5 BONNY SOUTH (3-1) -- Grade 2 starlet makes her four-year-old bow for Brad Cox. Chestnut filly has a strong closing kick, and her chances will improve if the pace is fast and contested on Friday. Juddmonte homebred sizzled a bullet five panels in her most recent breeze.

#6 SPEECH (8-5) -- McCarthy pupil was an impressive winner of the Ashland S. (G1) on this surface in July, and she finished an even sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) here in her latest venture. Bay daughter of Mr Speaker has posted an octet of solid morning moves in advance of her four-year-old bow, and she could be the one with her best with Castellano riding.

#7 BAJAN GIRL (SCR) -- Florida invader has pace and is training lights out in preparation of her first local endeavor, but she will face other speed in the cast and looks to be placed in a tough spot.

Doubledogdare Wagers

• $20 win #1 Royal Flag ($20)
• $10 exacta box 1-5 ($20)
• $3 trifecta box 1-5-6 ($18)