The $125k Dowager Stakes is contested at 1 1/2 miles on the lawn. The Keeneland race will go forward at 4:49 ET. 11 strong fillies and mares will compete for the top spot.
BUBBLY JANE hasn’t won a race since 2009. In her 17 race career she has been first or second 10 times. The Todd Pletcher pupil could win this race, but her recent form is too spotty to trust her. Anna Napravnik will ride.
JANICELLAINE is trained by the renowned Roger Attfield. The Hall of Fame trainer does exceptionally well with turf fillies. This girl was last seen finishing second at this distance after making the pace in a minor stakes race at Woodbine. It looks like she is improving and that makes her dangerous. Julien Leparoux gets the call to ride.
FOR THE WIN just cleared the non winners of two races lifetime allowance condition. It looks like she is in over her head here. Elvis Trujillo rides for Salvatore Santoro.
THISLILSOULOFMINE is a second entrant for Attfield. She won an allowance race three races back, but has been sixth in two subsequent starts. Jockey Gabriel Saez will need a quick pace if this lass is going to do her best running.
MAID OF HEAVEN enters this race after taking a stakes event at Kentucky Downs. The second place finisher, Charming She Is, returned to win an allowance race over this track. Charming She Is will also race in the Dowager Stakes. Maid of Heaven looks like an improving sort, but will have to keep moving forward to win. Leandro Goncalves rides for Kellyn Gorder.
On her best day, REVELSTROKE can compete with these. She won the ungraded Firecracker Stakes by four lengths and has won twice since then against lesser foes. If the bay filly shows up with one of her good races you can count on her to be there near the wire. Use her on trifecta and superfecta tickets. Corey Lanerie rides for Jim Corrigan.
Look for HEART OF DESTINY to try to pick up the pieces under Miguel Mena. The young filly will race without blinkers after having used them in her last two races. Her jockeys have had her way too far off the pace and I have a feeling this is a filly that just sort of doesnt get going until the very end. If she can be sharper early then she has a shot to win this race.
One year ago SENADA won this race at odds of 16-1. The Jonathan Sheppard trained mare hasn’t won since and it appears she has tailed off. It would take something special for Shaun Bridgmahon to get her back in the winner’s circle.
Todd Pletcher’s CIAO BELLA is an immensely talented three-year-old. She was last seen fourth by two lengths in a strong edition of the Grade 1 Garden City Stakes. She was stalking on second most of the way. Look for John Velazquez to deliver a similar ride. If she moves forward this could be her race to lose.
UPPERLINE is easily the best horse in the race. Her last trip to the track saw her finish third in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes on Keeneland’s main track. She won the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes in the spring. That race is at today’s trip. If she shows up with her “A” game then the rest of the field is probably trying for second place. James Graham stays aboard for Michael Stidham.
CHARMING SHE IS has put together two good races in a row, the last of which was an allowance triumph on this turf course. Victor Lebron rode her masterfully that day and will stay aboard for this event. Paul Brown trains the Johar filly. Look for her to come flying in the late stages of the race.
Upperline is the obvious play here, but the price isn’t likely going to be good enough. I’ll probably sit this race out. On the Pick 4 I am going to include Janicellaine, Maid of Heaven, Upperline, Ciao Bella and Charming She Is.