The Queen Elizabeth II Cup
A full field of 12 is set to go in the Grade 1 QE II Cup at Keeneland. Let’s hope we can pick the right horse in the right race after last week. Cox fooled me he ran the horse I liked at Keeneland in the stake at Aqueduct and won. I hope some of you “made the trip.” I didn’t.
Mission of Joy has a nice cozy rail draw and Johnny V up. She’s run races good enough to compete here in the past and her last at Colonial was OK. She also figures to get a nice pocket trip just off the pace. I couldn’t argue with anyone who liked her.
Elusive Princess showed her class and talent in her US debut. Her win at Saratoga was excellent and she deserves to be favored in here. If she runs back to her last, or even anything close to it she will be a handful. If she goes forward the race is probably for second.
Safeen looks to be in the deep end of the pool when she belongs in more shallow waters. She would be a major surprise.
Mawj is listed as the morning line favorite for Godolphin. Maybe she goes favored but I think Elusive Princess deserves that distinction. This Group 1 winner has been off since May and comes in under the care of Saeed bin Suroor. As good as he is and the Godolphin horses can be, he is not Charlie Appleby and I question her at this distance off the bench. I’ll say prove it at a short or at least underlaid price.
Be Your Best is a nice filly but appears a cut below some of the better ones in here.
Lindy is very intriguing. She had a nice prep at Kentucky Downs after coming here from France where she was competitive at the Group 1 level. She seems to have a perfect stalking style. Tyler rides this course excellently and with a 4 for 7 record she knows how to win.
Sounds of Heaven is competitive at this level overseas and her race in the Coronation was very good. Another threat.
At first look Elounda Queen appears a cut below some of the other invaders from across the Atlantic. That said she is game and brings it every time. Luis Saez helps, and I’d say there are worse long shots to take a shot with.
Heavenly Sunday goes for the always dangerous Brad Cox. She has speed but there looks to be other pace in here for her to deal with.
Liguria will be running late. She will have to improve but she looks like she will have the right set-up to do that, and she hails from the right barn also.
Prerequisite will be a chance to get Irad and Chad at a generous price with a lightly raced improving filly. She’s versatile and the only knock is the wide draw.
Papilio is honest and fits but was done no favors by the outside draw. She can get a piece once again, but I don’t think she’ll wind up the winner.
There are plenty of ways to go in here. I will wind up going with Lindy off the prep at Kentucky Downs. I like horses who prep there, and she showed she can compete at this level in France. I think Tyler will have her in the right spot if she is good enough.
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