Keeneland Preview & FREE Picks | Dowager Stakes 2023: Vergara, Transient Set For Rematch

Aaron previews the 2023 Dowager Stakes (G3) from Keeneland, then gives his top picks & long shots.

Last-out Ladies Marathon Stakes winner Vergara is set for a rematch against that race’s runner-up Transient, but could both horses be defeated? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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The press release:

Gary Broad’s Vergara and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds’ Transient (GB), who ran 1-2 in the Aristocrat Ladies Marathon (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9, headline a field of nine fillies and mares entered Sunday for the 32nd running of the $300,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) to be run at 1½ miles on the grass Sunday, Oct. 22.

Trained by Graham Motion, who has won the Rood & Riddle Dowager three times, Vergara prevailed by three-quarters of a length at Kentucky Downs to earn her first victory of 2023 in four races. Joel Rosario, who was aboard that day, retains the mount and will exit post position 3.

Motion will have a second starter in Team Valor International’s Romagna Mia (GB). A Group 2 winner last year in Italy, Romagna Mia was third in the Beverly D. (G1) in her U.S. debut at Colonial Downs on Aug. 12. John Velazquez has the mount and will exit post 6.

Saffie Joseph Jr. trains Transient, who is three times graded-stakes placed in 2023. Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount and will break from post position 9.

The field for the Rood & Riddle Dowager, with riders and weights from the rail out, is:

1. Henrietta Topham (James Graham, 121 pounds)
2. Viva La Red (Vincent Cheminaud, 121)
3. Vergara (Rosario, 123)
4. Be Up (Luis Saez, 121)
5. Personal Best (Flavien Prat, 123)
6. Romagna Mia (GB) (Velazquez, 121)
7. Loved Reiko (Julien Leparoux, 121)
8. Lovely Princess (Brian Hernandez Jr., 121)
9. Transient (GB) (Gaffalione, 121)