Tarifa second best in G3 Doubledogdare Stakes

Tarifa endured early trouble in running as she finished second behind surprise winner Gin Gin in the G3 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland, USA, on Friday, 18 April.

Chasing a fourth Graded Stakes win, the Brad Cox-trained filly broke half a stride slowly and was squeezed for room by Dreaming Of Mo and Candied, resulting in her racing freely at the rear of the six runners.

Tarifa continued to pull as the field bunched down the back and made rapid headway around the field as Gin Gin took up the running rounding the far turn.

Having moved up to dispute third on the outside of Candied two furlongs out, Tarifa stayed on in the straight for Florent Geroux to grab second from Occult and a rallying Candied inside the final furlong.

Gin Gin never looked in danger after getting first run on her rivals and crossed the line five and a quarter lengths to the good of Tarifa.

Florent Geroux said: “I was expecting to be forward, but Tarifa stumbled leaving the gate and got squeezed, so I was in the back. It took her a minute to get herself. She finished with a nice run. I feel like the winner got away, and we just couldn’t run her down.”