Doubledogdare Stakes – Grade III
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $100.000 Filly & Mare 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Sweep The Ash, trained by Eastern Equine
Once again the difference between an inside draw and an outside draw was shown in all its stupid glory at HRP as this grand five year old was allowed to show her best. Breaking into the stalk she asserted with a few furlongs to go and was always going to hold on for a three quarter length win. Compare that to her last start from a wide draw and her previous one from an inside draw and you can see the difficulty trainers face with the current situation. Problems with the draw aside this was a deserved victory by a tough mare who still has plenty of miles on the clock.

2nd Princess Legion, trained by John Henry
Ridden with a  little more restraint this time she stayed the trip much better than in her last two starts but still found one too good. A real consistent sort she must soon get some compensation for her third second in a row in graded company.

3rd Eviction, trained by Nakamura Stables
Looked like she was going to pick them up and go away and win but once again faltered when the pressure was applied. I have a suspicion that a mile is as far as she wants to go at this level.

4th Zedge, trained by Mb Stables
Backed into odds on favouritism she once again failed at this level and a graded stakes label remains her achilies heel.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES