Friday's Best Bet: Royal Flag waves goodbye in Doubledogdare

Friday’s 9th race from Keeneland is the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes for fillies and mares traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the main track (Post Time - 5:30 p.m. ET).

#1 ROYAL FLAG (5-2) has tactical speed and the rail, and this is a good distance for Chad Brown’s lightly raced, very consistent mare. Joel Rosario takes the call, she owns competitive speed ratings, and she runs well fresh. 

#6 Speech (8-5) pressed from the outside post and scored in the Ashland (G1) at this course and distance last year. This is her first start in more than five months and she is probably going to try to work out the successful Ashland trip again. 

#5 Bonny South (3-1) makes her first start as a 4-year-old for Brad Cox. She had a productive sophomore campaign last year but her lack of speed is a concern in a race without much front end zip. She drilled a bullet for this April 10 and that move catches the eye because she is not typically a fast worker.  

#4 Eres Tu (4-1) won at Keeneland last fall and she has been in good form ever since. She won two stakes at Laurel Park late last year and exits a clear runner-up finish in the Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Her tactical speed should suit her well in this contest, and she might offer a hint of value. 

Wagers: 

#1 to win

Exacta 1/4-5-6

Exacta 4-5-6/1

Recent Best Bet Winners

April 6 - IRISH CORK ($3.40), Exacta ($36.00)
April 10 - JULIET FOXTROT ($5.40), Exacta ($20.60)