2024 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at a Glance

Racing
Grayosh, Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes, Keeneland, Eclipse Sportswire
Grayosh, inside, looks like a prime win candidate at an appealing price in the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes Presented by Dixiana Oct. 12 at Keeneland. (Eclipse Sportswire)

For the connections of a 3-year-old turf filly looking for Grade 1 honors before the year ends, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes Presented by Dixiana is the perfect spot. Aside from a $750,000 purse and Grade 1 status, the 1 1/8-mile test at Keeneland Race Course is restricted to 3-year-olds, giving the sophomore runners one more chance to stay within their division for a Grade 1 race before it’s time for them to face older females.

Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Racetrack: Keeneland, Lexington Ky.

Date: Oct. 12

Purse: $750,000

Distance: 1 1/8 miles, turf

Race: 8

Post Time: 4:44 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Mawj (2023), Gina Romantica (2022), Rushing Fall (2018), Dayatthespa (2012), Vacare (2006), Film Maker (2003), Riskaverse (2002), Affluent (2001), Perfect Sting (1999), Ryafan (1997), Memories of Silver (1996).

First held: 1984

1. Pin Up Betty (20-1): Didn’t fire in the $1.5 million Pepsi Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational but was a good second before that in the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes. A return to her effort in the Pucker Up would make her a contender here.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Mike Maker

2. Caitlinhergrtness (12-1): Beat males to win the prestigious King’s Plate at Woodbine, but that was on an all-weather surface. Won her only start on turf, though that was in an allowance race. Frankie Dettori in the saddle adds to the appeal.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Kevin Attard

3. She Feels Pretty (5-2): Finished second to Grayosh after a lively stretch duel in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes Presented by Caesars Sportsbook at Saratoga. Adds blinkers and should be a main contender.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux                         

4. Waves of Mischief (12-1): She was second in the Dueling Grounds Oaks and won the Pucker Up. Looks like an interesting play here, especially at the odds.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

5. Soprano (7-2): A Group 3 winner in France makes her United States debut. Was third in a Group 1 stakes last time and should be a major player.

JOCKEY: Billy Loughnane; TRAINER: George Boughey

6. Oversubscribed (6-1): Is trained by five-time Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Chad Brown and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., which makes her a threat. Rallied nicely to finish second in the one-mile Lake George Stakes and should relish the added ground. Deserves a very long look.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Chad Brown

Keeneland, Eclipse Sportswire
Fans enjoy a fall day at Keeneland this meet. (Eclipse Sportswire)

7. Buchu (15-1): Went out West to Del Mar and finished fourth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks Presented by Keeneland Sales despite some traffic issues. Before that was sixth in the Grade 1 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational. Belongs in this field but will need an improved effort to be a main factor.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Phil Bauer

8. Pounce (12-1): Won the Lake George and then was checked and raced wide while finishing ninth in the Grade 2 AGS Music City Stakes. Seems capable of a bounce-back effort at a big price.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Mark Casse

9. Grayosh (8-1): Trained by Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, she beat She Feels Pretty in the Lake Placid. That filly is 5-2 and she’s 8-1. If that price somehow stays intact, she is a very attractive play.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown

10. Candala (9-2): Comes over from France after finishing third in a pair of Group 2 stakes. Did not land a great post position, but on class, she cannot be overlooked. Has been running in races longer than this, so stamina should not be a concern.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Francis-Henri Graffard

THE PICK: Grayosh

LIVE LONGSHOT: Caitlinhergrtness

SUPERFECTA: 9-5-3-2

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