Looking to get back to her graded company form when she captured the Gr. I Zenyatta last season, Viking Vania ( Delta Farms ) will be facing some stiff competition to make that become a reality.

• Gr. III Doubledogdare Stakes- Purse $100.000
• Keenland Racecourse- For Fillies and Mares Four years old and up
• Mile and a sixteenth, Main track
• April 19th, 2019

This Good Friday affair has attracted a group of eight runners, looking to find the wire ahead of the others. Four year olds are currently ahead 7-6 in victories for this event ahead of 5 year olds, so maybe this season we will see a tie with a five year old winning this year. Mb Stables is looking for a repeat victory, but with a different four year old. Also last seasons winner did win the Zenyatta, so lets keep that in mind as well.

1. Harsh ( Mb Stables ) Jockey Gaffalione T – Made the switch back to the dirt at the end of last season after not having much luck on the grass against Graded company. The dirt has been good to her, with two wins and a runner-up effort in her most recent Gr. III Royal Delta. SRF numbers are on the rise, so she should be a factor throughout this event.

2. Edna Krabappel ( Paradise Stables ) Jockey Castellano J J – Placed third in the Wayward Lass two starts ago behind Harsh, and most recently came runner-up in the Latonia Stakes behind Baratita, another entry today. Has been cashing cheques of late, and trainer is hoping that Mrs. K can “teach” these girls a thing or two.

3. Bottom Of The Order ( Allinthegate ) Jockey Bridgmohan S X – Raced against OpClm company most of last season, and has been stuck on the farm since late November. This will be her first start in over 120 days, and trainer has a 20.7 win ratio for horses off for this period of time. Looking at works, while she did win three in a row to close out the year, I would have liked to have seen slightly better. Needs one back to judge.

4. Night School ( Maxmillion Farm ) Jockey Beschizza A – It has been since Last August when she captured the Gr. III Groupie Doll event at a mile. While she hasn’t seen the winners enclosure since then, she hasn’t shied away from competing in top level affairs. Placed fifth last time out in the Royal Delta, just a length back of Harsh. Last two works have been in the mud, so don’t know if that will help today?

5. Viking Vania ( Delta Farms ) Jockey Lanerie C J – In her opener of the season against Alw50 company, she was sent out to set the pace on top, but fell a length back for third. Did capture a victory in her most recent Alw45 event, winning by three lengths. She does have the Zenyatta in her garter, and that event has produced winners in the past. should factor well.

6.Baratita ( Up And Up Racing ) Jockey Rosario J – Its always so nice to see new faces on the stakes hunt. While it has been a lightly raced barn, this trainer does have a Gr. III Stars N Stripes victory to his credit. This grey mare is coming off a victory in the $75 Latonia Stakes at a mile, and has been concentrating her works here. Do you believe in Magic?

7.Moment To Remember ( Nakamura Stables ) Jockey Geroux F – Won her last two races at a mile distance against non winners of three lifetime, and non winners of four. Step up here to the stakes level is the most logical choice, but did she step two high. Has a bullet work here for five furlongs on the tenth of April, and while she is out of a sire who won the BC Dirt Mile, its the extra sixteenth here that may be her undoing.

8.Cry Out ( D J C Racing Stables ) Jockey Velasquez J R – Bold move for this trainer to claim her out of a Mdn75 event. It would take two more maiden affairs before she would smell victory. Won an Alw47 race two starts after her maiden victory, but is still untested at this level. While her HRP numbers have been rising with each event, her SRF Numbers have been consistent at 90-91. I think she needs to be sent out early to do the most damage. Wait and see.

Duffers picks 1-5-6

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES