Reason to Talk, wire to wire

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Reason to Talk took full advantage of her inside post position and speed when she led all the way Wednesday to win a scratch-laden ninth running of the $105,439 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland.

Ridden by Pat Day, Reason to Talk went straight to the front in the 1 1/16-mile Doubledogdare and never permitted her closest pursuer, Salty Farma, to catch her. At the top of the stretch, Reason to Talk pulled away with ease to win by six lengths and finish in 1:45.19 over a fast track.

"She was running nice and comfortably, playing cat-and-mouse all the way," said Day.

Salty Farma, the 9-5 favorite, held second by a half-length over Extend, while Seven Four Seven trailed throughout to finish fourth and last. The two morning-line favorites, Belterra and Ifyouprefersilver, were early scratches.

The victory was the first in a stakes for Reason to Talk, a homebred 4-year-old filly owned by Ron and Tom Kirby of Louisville. Reason to Talk, by Sabona, has won 6 of 18 starts. She is trained by Dave Vance.

Reason to Talk returned $5.80 to win, the lowest payoff on a nine-race card dominated by longshots. Winners included Knotty Knows ($31.60) in the third, Our Mimi ($27.60) in the fifth, Miner's Prize ($69.80) in the sixth, and Bud's Magic ($22) in the seventh. Mi J ($8.80), winner of the first, was the only successful favorite on the day.