Venue: Keeneland Race Course, 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40588.
Race 9, the 31st running of the Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (Grade II).
Scheduled Post Time: 5:16 PM EDT (the 10-race card begins at 1:00 PM ET).
Distance/Surface/Purse/Eligibility: 1 1/16 miles (8½ furlongs) on the main-track dirt; $400,000 purse ($300,000 guaranteed plus $100,000 from KTDF); for fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and upward.
Expected Weather Conditions: Mild spring weather with daytime highs near 79-81°F, nighttime lows around 60-64°F, partly to mostly cloudy skies, light southwest winds 7-10 mph, and only a 10% chance of precipitation. No significant rain is anticipated in the 48-72 hours leading into the race.
Track Conditions: The main track is expected to be fast. Keeneland’s dirt surface typically plays fair and speed-favoring early in the spring meet, with no renovation breaks or weather-related issues forecast.
Field (Post Position – Horse – ML Odds – Weight – Jockey/Trainer):
Alpine Princess – 5/2 – 120 lbs – Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Brad H. Cox
Aye Candy – 20/1 – 118 lbs – John R. Velazquez / Todd W. Fincher
Eunomia – 9/2 – 118 lbs – Flavien Prat / Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
Gin Gin – 2/1 – 123 lbs – Luis Saez / Brendan P. Walsh
Ourdaydreaminggirl – 20/1 – 118 lbs – Jaime A. Torres / Louis C. Linder, Jr.
Running Away – 4/1 – 118 lbs – Joel Rosario / Wesley A. Ward
Peignoir – 10/1 – 118 lbs – Tyler Gaffalione / Rodolphe Brisset
Chilled – 15/1 – 118 lbs – Jose L. Ortiz / Victoria H. Oliver
Full Horse-by-Horse Analysis:
PP 1 – Alpine Princess (5YO mare by Classic Empire out of Le Moine; owners: Full of Run Racing II, LLC & Madaket Stables, LLC)
Brad Cox’s charge is the clear second choice and a major threat to the favorite. She closed out her 2025 campaign with a decisive victory in the Falls City S. (G3) at Churchill Downs and kicked off 2026 with a solid second in the Royal Delta S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park in February (approximately eight weeks ago). Cox is a perennial powerhouse at Keeneland, and Irad Ortiz Jr. (one of the top riders in the country) takes the mount from the rail. She projects as a late-running threat on a track that has pace to run into. Recent form and class edge give her a big shot at turning the tables on Gin Gin.
PP
2 – Aye Candy (5YO mare by Candy Ride (ARG) out of Rose’s Desert; owner: Peacock Family Holdings, L.P.)
Longshot from the Todd Fincher barn making her graded-stakes debut. She has been a dominant performer on the New Mexico circuit, winning the Harry Henson S. and Bold Ego S. at Sunland Park. Fincher shipped her to Keeneland and she turned in a solid 5-furlong work (1:03, last quarter in :23) on April 10. Johnny Velazquez is a huge upgrade in the irons. Expect her to show early speed from post 2, but she may find these stakes depths a bit too much on dirt at this distance. Live longshot possibility if the pace melts.
PP
3 – Eunomia (4YO filly by Tiz the Law out of Speedy Vanessa; owners: St. Elias Stable et al.)
Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee with excellent recent form and a Keeneland specialist (two wins at the track). She is coming off a victory at Colonial Downs and has shown versatility on both dirt and turf. Flavien Prat, a perennial leading rider at Keeneland, takes the call. She has tactical speed and can sit mid-pack or press. At 9/2 she offers value as a horse that could improve further stretching out on dirt. Strong each-way candidate.
PP
4 – Gin Gin (5YO mare by Hightail out of Before You Know It; owner/breeder: Calumet Farm)
The defending champion and morning-line favorite. She stunned at 38-1 last year, winning this race by 5¼ lengths, then came back to take the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) at Keeneland in the fall at 18-1. She is a perfect 2-for-2 at the track. Brendan Walsh reports she is sharp—best-of-59 half-mile work in :46.80 on April 10. Luis Saez returns to the saddle. She carries top weight (123 lbs) but has proven she relishes Keeneland’s dirt and the 1 1/16-mile trip. The one to beat for the repeat; history is against her (only Jeano has won this race twice, non-consecutively), but her class and local form are exceptional.
PP
5 – Ourdaydreaminggirl (4YO filly by Instagrand out of Itsinthestars; owners: Bran Jam Stable & David W. Clark)
Louis Linder Jr. trainee making her stakes debut for this connections. Limited graded-stakes experience; she has shown ability in allowance company but will need a career-best effort here. Jaime Torres rides. Likely needs the race or a pace meltdown to factor at 20/1.
PP 6 – Running Away (4YO filly by Gun Runner out of Allez Marie; owner: Stud TNT, LLC)
Wesley Ward speedball with graded stakes success (including a Monmouth Oaks G3 win in 2025). Joel Rosario is an excellent fit for her front-running style. She has tactical speed and could carve out an uncontested lead from post 6. At 4/1 she is a logical contender if the pace stays honest, but she may face pressure early and could be vulnerable late against the top closers.
PP 7 – Peignoir (5YO mare by Mendelssohn out of Beehive Hairdo; owners: Gray, Fletcher & Carolyn L. & Doug Hesterly)
Rodolphe Brisset trainee with consistent form in allowance/optional claiming company. Tyler Gaffalione (Keeneland’s leading rider in recent years) is aboard. She has shown some stakes placing ability but lacks the recent big-figure wins of the top choices. Solid mid-pack type at 10/1 who could sneak into the exotics.
PP 8 – Chilled (5YO mare by Frosted out of Snuck Out; owner: G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.)
Homebred for Victoria Oliver (long-time Keeneland trainer) with Jose L. Ortiz in the irons. She has been competitive on the local circuit but is stepping up in class. Likely needs a perfect trip from the outside post; 15/1 is about right on her current form.
Overall Preview and Prediction:
This is a high-quality renewal of the newly elevated Grade II Baird Doubledogdare. Gin Gin is the deserving favorite and looks poised for the repeat, given her local dominance and recent G1 success. However, Alpine Princess (Cox/Ortiz) is the most dangerous rival and could turn the tables with her closing kick. Eunomia and Running Away add pace and tactical versatility, while the longshots (Aye Candy, Peignoir, Chilled) could provide exotics value if the top choices overperform their odds.
