Doubledogdare Stakes 2026 Analysis (4-17-26)

I’m breaking down the Grade 2 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland, a $400,000 event for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. This is Race 9 on Friday, April 17 with a scheduled post time of 5:16 p.m. ET.

This race sets up as a tactical dirt route with several runners bringing early pressing speed, which should make trip dynamics especially important.

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Pace & Race Shape

There’s no shortage of forward placement in this field. Horses like Alpine Princess, Gin Gin, and Running Away all prefer to be involved early, while others like Chilled should sit just off the pace.

That suggests a controlled but honest tempo—favoring runners who can secure position early without expending too much energy.

Bettor’s Edge

When multiple tactical-speed runners line up in a two-turn dirt race at Keeneland, ground-saving trips often decide the outcome. Inside posts become a major advantage.

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Top Contenders Breakdown

#1 Alpine Princess (5-2)

Alpine Princess is the definition of consistency. She exits a productive Grade 3 Royal Delta where she finished second behind a next-out Grade 1 winner, with another next-out stakes winner behind her.

She’s hit the board in 15 of 18 starts and thrives at this distance (10-for-12 in the top three).

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Derby 2026 Top 20 Contenders Video (4-13-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my Top 20 Derby contenders (4-13-26). 

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (37 13-4-7).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Road to Kentucky Derby 2026 Report (4-13-26)

The Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland was the final Kentucky Derby 2026 prep race and 36-1 longshot Trendsetter pulled off the upset but does not have enough points to run in the Derby. In this report, I will recap the Lexington, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.

I covered all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 37 points races, my top choices had 13 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 7 show finishes.

Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Recaps

Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland (4-11-26): My top choice Corona de Oro set the pace from the inside post and The Hell We Did chased from second. Trendsetter ($66.68) stalked from midpack and went past the two aforementioned early runners to win by 2 1/4 lengths (85 BSF). The Hell We Did finished second and Corona de Oro was 4 lengths in front of I Did I Did (4th). Beaten favorite Confessional was 5th and Ezum (6th), Mister T (7th), Ramblin (8th), and Exhibition Only (9th) also ran. Kazushi Kimura rode the winner for Ben Colebrook and the winner picked up 20 Kentucky Derby points. He does not have enough points to run in the Derby and this was probably more of a Preakness prep. Fractions: 23.68, 47.92, 1:12.12, 1:37.71, 1:44.51.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (4-12-26)

 In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share the latest Derby news (4-10-26). 

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (36 13-4-6).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (4-11-26)

All of the Kentucky Oaks 2026 points races have been run and now we turn our attention to final workouts. In this report, I will take a look at the latest training sessions, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I covered all of the Kentucky Oaks 2026 preps on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and after 31 points races, my top choices had 14 wins, 7 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. My top choices showed a flat bet profit in this series.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Results (Top Choice Winners Bolded)

Pocahontas (10-5-3-2-1) – Sep. 13 – Winner: Taken by the Wind ($14.10)

Alcibiades (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 3 – Winner: Tommy Jo ($2.88)

Frizette (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Iron Orchard ($6.90)

Oak Leaf (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 4 – Winner: Explora ($2.80)

Rags to Riches (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 26 – Winner: Life of Joy ($3.68)

BC Juvenile Fillies (30-15-9-6-3) – Oct. 31 – Winner: Super Corredora ($19.60)

Golden Rod (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 29 – Winner: Bella Ballerina ($10.28)

Demoiselle (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Zany ($3.50)

Starlet (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 6 – Winner: Consequent ($7.60)

Untapable (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 20 – Winner: Hit Parade ($6.60)

Busanda (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 3 – Winner: Dazzling Dame ($6.24)

Santa Ynez (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 10 – Winner: Explora ($2.10)

Silverbulletday (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 17 – Winner: Taken by the Wind ($10.80)

Forward Gal (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 31 – Winner: On Time Girl ($4.20)

Martha Washington (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 6 – Winner: Search Party ($10.20)

Suncoast (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 7 – Winner: Zany ($2.40)

Las Virgenes (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8 – Winner: Meaning ($7.80)

Rachel Alexandra (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 14 – Bella Ballerina ($3.60)

Sunland Park Oaks (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 15 – Bottle of Rouge ($2.80)

Cincinnati Trophy (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 20 – Winner: Resplendence ($25.42)

UAE Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 21 – Winner: Labwah

Busher (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: Paradise ($4.72)

Davona Dale (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 28 – Winner: She Be Smooth ($13.60)

Honeybee (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Explora ($4.00)

Santa Ysabel (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8 – Winner: Forced Entry ($7.60)

Virginia Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 14 – Winner: Bottle of Rouge ($3.60)

Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) – March 21 – Winner: Lorelei Lee ($23.98)

FG Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 21 – Winner: Life of Joy ($9.40)

Fantasy (100-50-25-15-10) – March 27 – Winner: Counting Stars ($3.80)

GP Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 28 – Winner: Prom Queen ($8.20)

Ashland (100-50-25-15-10) – April 3 – Winner: Percy’s Bar ($7.12)

Gazelle (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: Always a Runner ($11.38)

SA Oaks (100-50-25-15-10) – April 4 – Winner: Meaning ($3.80)

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video News Update (4-10-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share the latest Derby news (4-10-26). 

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (36 13-4-6).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Keeneland Grade 3 Lexington Stakes Analysis (4-11-26)

I’m diving into the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, run Saturday, April 11 as Race 10. It’s a $400,000 event for three-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the main track, offering 20 Kentucky Derby points to the winner.

Despite the points on offer, this race likely won’t produce a Derby qualifier. The current points landscape leaves even the top contenders short, making this feel more like a Preakness prep than a serious Derby gateway.

Using data from Today’s Racing Digest—specifically the Complete Digest, I’m breaking down the field, pace setup, and key figures to find betting value.

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Meet the Field & Pace Projection

This race features a mix of lightly raced runners and developing prospects, with several showing early speed:

• Corona de Oro (1): Tactical speed, can save ground or press
• Exhibition Only (2): Likely forwardly placed
• Decisive Win (3): Stretching out, adds pace pressure
• Ezum (9): Speedy off dominant maiden win
• Confessional (10): Tactical stalker with class edge

Pace Profile Insight

From 20 races at this distance on dirt:

• Front-runners: 35%
• Pressers: 35%
• Midpack: 25%
• Closers: 5%

This strongly favors horses sitting just off the pace—not deep closers.

Bettor’s Edge

In races like this with multiple pace players, I prioritize horses with positional speed—those who can sit just behind the leaders and strike turning for home.

Rea more at Today's Racing Digest