Daddy's Boo gets stamina test in Dowager Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Unlike some turf marathons, the 26th running of the Grade 3, $125,000 Dowager sure doesn’t lack for pace.

Assuming all 10 fillies and mares go, the fractions should be honest to swift through all three turns of the 1 1/2-mile Dowager, the highlight of a nine-race Sunday card at Keeneland. Daddy’s Boo, a brazen front-runner at shorter distances, is in the lineup, while others with early-going tendencies such as Apple Betty, Grateful, and Daring Duchess figure to keep things moving right along.

It all makes for something that could unfold in a different way than your garden-variety 12-furlong race.

“I don’t know if this is a good idea or not,” Larry Rivelli, trainer of Daddy’s Boo, said with a laugh.

Jockey Jose Valdivia Jr., who has ridden Daddy’s Boo in her last five starts, suggested the stretch-out to Rivelli.

“It’s Jose’s idea, so I’m putting this all on him,” Rivelli further joked. “Seriously, she’s doing so good that we thought we’d give this a shot. She’s about as good as I’ll ever get her, and we’ve always thought she’d run longer. It looks like we’re the speed of the speed, so if Jose can get her out there and comfortable, maybe we can pull this off.”

If not, the Dowager could lean the way of a more conventional type. Apple Betty, an Irish-bred filly who was beaten just a few inches in the Dowager last year when making her North American debut, certainly fits that bill, having proven competitive in graded turf marathons in New York since owner Joe Allen and his racing manager, Alan Quartucci, turned her over to Shug McGaughey. A victory in the River Memories at Belmont in July seems indicative of her capability at this level.

Similarly, Grateful has done very little wrong in an eight-race career while steadily climbing the class ladder for Todd Pletcher. One of three 3-year-olds in this race (with longshots Coco Channel and Polar Vortex), Grateful flashed commendable versatility in an allowance triumph two starts back on the Saratoga turf when rallying from last in a short field.

As for the left-field closers, Lottie would seem to benefit most from a total meltdown up front. Trained by Graham Motion, the 4-year-old filly showed an effective kick when third behind Apple Betty in the River Memories and second in the Grade 3 Waya at Saratoga. Two 5-year-old mares in the Dowager field, Place des Vosges and Promotional, also have shown consistent stretch punch.

If one of the older horses wins, it’s entirely possible it could be the last time she is seen by the racing public. The last two Dowager winners, Kitten’s Point (2015) and Elektrum (2016), were retired on that high note.

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The Dowager was first run in 1992. Among trainers, Pat Byrne and Bill Mott have won it the most times with three wins apiece.

Sunday is Heroes Day at Keeneland, with free admission and special perks for military veterans, first responders, and their families.

After Sunday, Keeneland goes dark for two days before the final four-day stretch of the meet begins with an eight-race Wednesday card. Closing day is Saturday, Oct. 28, with Churchill Downs starting its fall meet the following afternoon.