Who Wins The QE II Challenge Cup Stakes ?

The Grade 1, $750,000 dollar Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes is Saturday at Keeneland Race Course.

The 1 1/8-mile test on the turf is restricted to 3-year-old fillies, giving the sophomore runners one more chance to stay within their division for a Graded Stakes before it’s time for them to face older females.

Here is a brief look at the field:

1. PIN UP BETTY [ML 20-1] Jockey: Luis Saez. Trainer: Mike Maker. She didn’t fire in the $1.5 million Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational but was a solid 2nd prior to that in the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes. If she can return to Pucker Up form she can contend here.

2. CAITLINHERGRTNESS [ML 12-1]  Jockey: Frankie Dettori. Trainer: Kevin Attard. She beat the boys to Win the prestigious King’s Plate at Woodbine, but that was on an all-weather surface. Her only start on turf, was a Victory, albeit in an Allowance race. Having Dettori in the irons adds a little luster.

3. SHE FEELS PRETTY [ML 5-2] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: Cherie DeVaux. She finished 2nd to GRAYOSH after a spirited stretch duel in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga. Adds blinkers, a main contender.

4. WAVES OF MISCHIEF [ML 12-1] Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. Trainer: Brendan Walsh. Was 2nd in the Dueling Grounds Oaks and Won the Pucker Up. Certainly worth a look, especially with the Morning Line value.

5. SOPRANO [ML 7-2] Jockey: Billy Loughnane. Trainer: George Boughey. She is a Group 3 Winner in France making her United States debut. Ran 3rd in a Group 1 Stakes last time out and should be a major player here.

6. OVERSUBSCRIBED [ML 6-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz. Trainer: Chad Brown. Trainer has Won the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup five times! She rallied gamely to finish 2nd in the one-mile Lake George Stakes and should appreciate the added ground. Deserves a hard look at a fair price.

7. BUCHU [ML 15-1] Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Trainer: Phil Bauer. Traveled West to Del Mar and finished 4th in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks despite a poor trip. Prior to that she was 6th in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational. She earned a right to be here but needs to up her game to be a factor.

8. POUNCE [ML 12-1] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Mark Casse. She Won the Lake George and then went on to the Grade 2  Music City Stakes, where she was checked and raced wide while finishing 9th. Given her connections, she seems capable of a bounce-back effort at a big price.

9. GRAYOSH [ML 8-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Chad Brown. Trained by Brown and ridden by Prat, she beat SHE FEELS PRETTY in the Lake Placid. If she is near those odds come Post Time don’t get shut out.

10. CANDALA [ML 9-2] Jockey: Florent Geroux. Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard. Ships from France after finishing 3rd in a pair of Group 2 Stakes. Did not land a great Post Position here, but on class alone, she cannot be disregarded. She’s ran in races longer than this, so stamina shouldn’t be a concern.

The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes is slated as race 8 on a card of 10 with a scheduled Post Time of 4:45. Best of luck however play it.

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