Candied returns in deep renewal of Doubledogdare

Among last year's crop of three-year-old fillies, Candied got as routinely close as anyone to division stalwart Thorpedo Anna. In other words, not very.

Still, placings behind the Horse of the Year in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) were solid showings for Candied, who makes her season return Friday in the $350,000 Doubledogdare (G3) at Keeneland.

Although Candied wisely avoided taking on Thorpedo Anna in last weekend's Apple Blossom H. (G1), the 1 1/16-mile Doubledogdare has not come up as an easy race either. Top to bottom, it's arguably a more challenging spot for the 2023 Alcibiades (G1) heroine.

Just F Y I, the champion juvenile filly of 2023, has outfinished Candied in both of their prior meetings. A clear second over the Keeneland strip last April in the Ashland (G1), Just F Y I then finished second to Thorpedo Anna as the Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite.

Put away after a poor run in the Acorn (G1), Just F Y I recently hit the comeback trail with a second-place finish in a one-turn allowance at Gulfstream, albeit losing convincingly to the outsider Literate. She should, though, come on from the effort.

Grade 3 veteran Occult split dual champion older mare Idiomatic and Candied when second in the Spinster (G1) at Keeneland in October, and perhaps found one mile too short when a belated second in the Go for Wand (G3) at Aqueduct.

Among the remaining four starters in the Doubledogdare, only Tarifa appears a logical contender for the win. Aside from the Kentucky Oaks, she was a consistent performer all of last season and won a trio of Grade 2 stakes. She, too, should come on from her season debut, a distant third behind the talented pair of Cavalieri and Richi in the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.