Malathaat returns with classy win in Doubledogdare Stakes
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Todd Pletcher scarcely could have asked for a better comeback from Malathaat. Under a confident ride from John Velazquez, the 3-year-old filly champion of 2021 swept to victory Friday when making her first start of the year in the 27th running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Doubledogdare Stakes at warm and sunny Keeneland.
“She was ready,” Pletcher said. “She was all class in the end.”
Malathaat rallied from well off a hot pace set by Lady Mystify, who, with Super Quick giving fairly close pursuit, opened a sizable lead on the other four fillies and mares on the backstretch run of the 1 1/16-mile Doubledogdare. Midway through the far turn, however, Malathaat had rallied into contention with a steady outside surge, and after turning for home, Velazquez kept the Shadwell Stable star to her business as she prevailed by a measured three-quarters of a length over Bonny South. Lady Mystify and Super Quick dead-heated for third, another length back.
Malathaat returned $2.60 as the heavy favorite after finishing in 1:44.58 over a fast track.
Already a three-time Grade 1 winner, Malathaat was withheld by Pletcher from a couple of other logical spots, the Grade 1 Apple Blossom and Grade 1 La Troienne, in favor of the Doubledogdare. The bay filly was making her first start since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar last November.
“We didn’t want to overdo it for her first start,” Pletcher said. “This was really about the timing of this race and when she was ready. We also had it in the back of our mind that she really likes this track, plus the fact the Breeders’ Cup is back here in the fall,” referring to the BC Distaff on Nov. 5 at Keeneland being her year-end target.
Pletcher said the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on the June 11 Belmont Stakes card is the likely next start for Malathaat.
On easily the warmest afternoon yet at a 10-day-old meet, Lady Mystify led through splits of 23.74 seconds, 46.89, and 1:11.75 before Malathaat loomed boldly to her outside. With Bonny South, the 2021 Doubledogdare winner, following right behind, Malathaat took command with about a furlong remaining before holding Bonny South safe.
“I just kinda let her do her thing,” Velazquez said. “Down the backstretch, I got her mind on business, and by the time I got to the three-eighths pole, I’m thinking, ‘I may’ve gotten here too soon.’ But when [Bonny South] started coming to her, she took off again. It was a very good comeback for her.”
Pletcher and Velazquez extended their own records for most wins in the Doubledogdare. Pletcher now has won it five times, all of them when riding Velazquez, who has six wins.
Malathaat, by Curlin out of Dreaming of Julia, now has won 7 of 9 starts since she began her career some 18 months ago. She posted Grade 1 triumphs in the Ashland, Kentucky Oaks, and Alabama during a stellar 2021 campaign that resulted in the divisional Eclipse Award. Her earnings stand at $1,918,825.