How to bet the Dowager Stakes

A field of six fillies and mares will run 1 1/2 miles on the lawn in the Sunday feature at Keeneland, the $125,000 Dowager (G3).

Dowager Analysis

The pace will be established by #4 Always Shopping early, with #2 Blame Debbie tracking from the second spot. I expect the tempo to be moderate from the opening bell.

Dowager Contenders

#1 WITH DIGNITY (10-1) -- Capable filly from the Wilkes shedrow was unplaced in her lone turf race to date. The 4-year-old has two turf-winning siblings, and I think she has top-three appeal from the cozy rail post. Julien Leparoux has the call. 

#2 BLAME DEBBIE (2-1) -- Blame filly closed fast to capture a first-level allowance affair on this course last time out. Motion pupil has a versatile running style, and her neck third to Civil Union four back makes her a prime contender in this one if she can duplicate that performance.

#3 OVER THINKING (4-1) -- Oliver trainee is just 3-for-26 lifetime, and she finished a well-beaten eighth in the race in 2019. Overanalyze mare is hard to back with confidence in the Dowager.

#4 ALWAYS SHOPPING (5-2) -- Awesome Again filly was victorious in the grassy Monroe S. at Gulfstream last out when blinkers were added. Grade 2 heroine possesses obvious back class, and she will be dangerous with a forward move on Sunday under Gaffalione.

#5 SIBERIAN IRIS (5-2) -- Stakes heroine has run evenly in her last pair of turf marathons and looms a big chance in a winnable spot. Excelebration mare has faced black-type company in seven straight and has a bit of a class edge over her main foes in the affair. Florent Geroux will guide the top-three threat.

#6 NAOMI BROADWAY (10-1) -- Salto 5-year-old was a distant third in a prep for this while making her U.S. debut at Indiana Grand most recently. Group 1 heroine will improve second time in the states on the stretch out, and she wouldn’t be a big surprise in a field lacking a standout. Joe Talamo has the assignment.

Dowager Wagers

• $20 Win: #2 Blame Debbie ($20)
• $2 Trifecta: 2 with 5,6 with all ($16)