Grade 1 queen IN THE GOLD (Golden Missile) tops a field of six entered for
Wednesday’s $100,000 Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland. Winner of last year’s
Beaumont S. (G2) over the track, the four-year-old filly will be saddled by a
hot Nick Zito, who has won nine of 19 starts this meet. In the Gold’s biggest
career win came in September’s Gazelle S. (G1), and the chestnut also finished
second in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She should appreciate the added distance here
following an unplaced finish in her seasonal bow, the Shirley Jones Breeders’
Cup H. (G2) at Gulfstream. Jockey Rafael Bejarano will keep the mount for the 1
1/16-mile Doubledogdare.
POOL LAND (Silver Deputy) opened her career with three smashing victories in
New York, but she too didn’t fire in the seven-furlong Shirley Jones last out.
The Todd Pletcher-trained filly appears capable of much more and looms as a top
threat from the rail on Wednesday with her speed. Arlington Oaks winner MISS
MATCHED (Formal Gold) is also dangerous. Conditioned by John Ward, the dark bay
captured the 8 1/2-furlong Dogwood Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) in wire-to-wire fashion
last summer.
The Doubledogdare contestants, in post order with jockeys, are Pool Land,
John Velazquez; LADY PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus), Edgar Prado; PRIVATE GIFT
(Unbridled), Robby Albarado; Miss Matched, Shaun Bridgmohan; In the Gold; and
CLASSY CHARM (Silver Charm), Javier Castellano.
All starters will carry 117 pounds.
— On the undercard, French Group 2 heroine GORELLA (Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB])
will make her 2006 debut. Carded as the 7TH race, the 1 1/8-mile turf allowance
features a field of seven fillies and mares, and the Patrick Biancone-trained
Gorella will be making her first appearance since finishing a close third in the
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). The four-year-old missed by only a neck when third in
the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) before that and placed
in two French Group 1 events last year. Julien Leparoux will ride.