Raging Sea, ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Chad Brown for Alpha Delta Stables, made a successful seasonal return by winning the GIII Baird Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland, overcoming rivals in the stretch to secure victory by 3 1/4 lengths.
‣ Raging Sea, owned by Alpha Delta Stables and ridden by Flavien Prat, made a successful seasonal return by winning the GIII Baird Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland, overcoming rivals after a strategic inside trip and a strong stretch drive.
‣ The race marked Raging Sea’s first start since her victory in the previous year’s GIII Comely S. at Aqueduct, showcasing her ability to perform well after a layoff, a testament to the training skills of Chad Brown.
‣ Raging Sea comes from a notable pedigree, being a daughter of Grade III winner Welcome Surprise and part of the extended female family of prominent horses like A.P. Indy and Summer Squall. Her dam, Stormy Welcome, was a high-value yearling and has produced multiple stakes-placed offspring.
Watch the full replay as RAGING SEA makes a stand in the Baird Doubledogdare (G3)! pic.twitter.com/kSbieV71Pm
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Flavien Prat, snug as a bug in rug from gate one, gave Alpha Delta Stables’ Raging Sea a cozy ride. This Curlin offspring went full throttle in the stretch at Keeneland’s Friday GIII Baird Doubledogdare S., clinching a win that felt like a homecoming.
After a hiatus since last November’s GIII Comely S. victory at Aqueduct, Raging Sea was back. The 5-2 second choice found herself in a sweet spot early on. Loved and Hidden Connection were setting the pace, but our girl was just biding her time, lurking in the shadows.
As the race heated up, Loved was still in the lead, but barely. Hidden Connection was hot on her heels. Meanwhile, Raging Sea was just waiting for the right moment to strike. And strike she did, surging forward to snatch the lead and crossing the finish line with a comfortable 3 1/4 lengths to spare.
Scylla, the even-money favorite, found herself sandwiched in the middle of the pack. When push came to shove, she couldn’t quite catch up, but still managed to secure a spot in the trifecta.
Prat was all smiles post-race. “We had a good draw,” he said, tipping his hat to the starting position. He praised Raging Sea for her smooth sailing around the track and gave a shoutout to trainer Chad Brown for his stellar prep work.
Raging Sea seems to have a thing for Lexington, making half her career starts there. She’s faced off against the best, like Wonder Wheel, and has shown she’s a force to be reckoned with. Last October, she proved her mettle yet again, living up to her odds-on favoritism before taking a breather.
Now, let’s dive into her roots. Raging Sea comes from a lineage of champions. Her dam, Stormy Welcome, was a hot commodity back in the day, fetching $1.6 million at one point. And it seems like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, with Raging Sea’s sister, Welcoming, also making waves in the racing world.
Stormy Welcome’s offspring are keeping the legacy alive, with Wrath of the Storm and a yearling filly by City of Light waiting in the wings. Though Stormy Welcome won’t be having any foals in 2024, she’s been paired with Curlin this season, hinting at more greatness to come.
For those who missed the action, Keeneland Racing’s got you covered with a replay. It’s a must-watch, showcasing Raging Sea’s triumphant return in all its glory.
And there you have it, the rundown of Friday’s excitement at Keeneland. Raging Sea, under Prat’s expert guidance and Brown’s training, made a splash, proving once again that she’s a contender not to be underestimated.
