The 2026 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes takes place Sunday, October 18 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The Grade III race is contested at 1 1/2 miles on turf for fillies and mares age 3 and older and carries a $350,000 purse. One of Keeneland's signature long-distance turf events, the Dowager gives proven route runners and improving stayers a valuable late-season graded stakes opportunity.
| Date | Sunday, October 18, 2026 |
| Track | Keeneland Race Course |
| Race | 7 |
| Distance | 1 1/2 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Grade | Grade III |
| Purse | $350,000 |
| Age | Fillies & mares, 3-year-olds & upward |
| Post Time | 4:12 PM ET |
Entry Update: The 2026 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes field is set with 12 starters. Post positions, jockeys and trainers are listed in the table below. Morning-line odds will be added once Keeneland posts them.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massarat | Danny Sheehy | Brendan Walsh | TBA |
| 2 | Malibu Smart | Ben Curtis | Mike Maker | TBA |
| 3 | Sky Low Low | Katie Davis | Adrianne DeVaux | TBA |
| 4 | Pretty Tapit | Jose Ortiz | Joe Sharp | TBA |
| 5 | Fionn | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Brad Cox | TBA |
| 6 | Snipsnippitysnip | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Brendan Walsh | TBA |
| 7 | Poppy the Princess | Axel Concepcion | Troy Newton | TBA |
| 8 | Golden Sunshine | Luis Saez | Eoin Harty | TBA |
| 9 | Speed Shopper | John Velazquez | Will Walden | TBA |
| 10 | Somethinabouther | Tyler Gaffalione | Brendan Walsh | TBA |
| 11 | Venencia (FR) | Jaime Torres | Saffie Joseph Jr. | TBA |
| 12 | Modarosa | Junior Alvarado | Riley Mott | TBA |
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The Dowager is a distinctive handicapping race because its 1 1/2-mile turf distance places a much greater emphasis on stamina, pace distribution and efficiency than a typical middle-distance stakes. Horses must settle early enough to conserve energy while still maintaining position for the long run home. Previous form at extended turf distances, proven Keeneland form and the ability to produce a sustained late move are particularly valuable when evaluating the field.
The 2026 edition has several established long-distance turf runners. Grade I winner Fionn brings top-level class for Brad Cox, while Speed Shopper returns after winning Keeneland's Bewitch Stakes at the same 1 1/2-mile distance in the spring. Golden Sunshine was second in that Bewitch and recently finished runner-up in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon, while defending Dowager winner Venencia (FR) returns to Keeneland. The field of 12 is listed above, with morning-line odds to follow once posted.
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The Dowager Stakes was inaugurated at Keeneland in 1992 and was extended to its current 1 1/2-mile distance in 1994. The race held Listed status from 1995 through 2014 before being upgraded to Grade III in 2015. Its demanding distance has made it an important fall target for fillies and mares with proven stamina, and Temple City Terror established the current stakes record of 2:27.98 in 2022.
Recent editions have featured several notable Keeneland performers. Summer in Saratoga won in 2021, Temple City Terror followed in 2022, and Romagna Mia (GB) captured the 2023 running. Chop Chop won the 2024 edition after also taking the Bewitch earlier that season, becoming one of the select mares to complete the Keeneland long-distance turf double. Venencia (FR) won in 2025 and returns in 2026 seeking consecutive Dowager victories.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Venencia (FR) | Ben Curtis | 2:35.69 |
| 2024 | Chop Chop | Luan Machado | 2:29.00 |
| 2023 | Romagna Mia (GB) | John Velazquez | 2:29.87 |
| 2022 | Temple City Terror | Tyler Gaffalione | 2:27.98 |
| 2021 | Summer in Saratoga | Corey Lanerie | 2:30.02 |
The 2026 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 at Keeneland Race Course.
The 2026 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes is Race 7 at Keeneland with a scheduled post time of 4:12 PM ET.
The Dowager Stakes is contested at 1 1/2 miles on turf.
The Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes is a Grade III race.
The 2026 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes carries a $350,000 purse.
The race is open to fillies and mares age 3 and older.
The latest Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes odds, post positions, jockeys and trainers are listed in the race table above.
The favorite can change as wagering develops. Morning-line odds are not posted yet, so check the odds table above for updates.
No. The Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes is not designated as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Win and You're In race.
Venencia (FR) won the 2025 Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes under jockey Ben Curtis in 2:35.69.
Temple City Terror set the 1 1/2-mile Dowager Stakes record of 2:27.98 in 2022.
You can bet the Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes online at BUSR. Create and fund an account, select Keeneland and choose the Dowager Stakes from the race card.
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