Horse Racing Picks: Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Oct 14)

• Top-class action at Keeneland continues on Saturday, as the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is staged
• A number of high-quality European runners among the likely contenders

The Grade 1 action at Keeneland this weekend will see fillies aged three in action over 1 1/8 miles. A purse of $600,000 will be available to runners involved this weekend, and a field of 12 will go to post. But, which filly will come out on top?

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Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 5:10 p.m. ET
• Where: Keeneland, Lexington
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

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Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Odds

Horse	Odds
Mawj	+200
Elusive Princess	+300
Lindy	+600
Sounds of Heaven	+800
Elounda Queen	+1000
Papilo	+1000
Liguria	+1500
Prerequisite	+2000
Mission Of Joy	+2000
Be Your Best	+2000
Safeen	+3000

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook

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Race Preview

The standout race at Keeneland this weekend will see fillies aged three battle over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on the turf. The Grade 1 boasts a purse of $600,000 and that has enticed a number of intriguing European runners to take their chances.

Among those include British Classic winner Mawj. Oisin Murphy travels overseas to take the ride on the three-year-old, who has been off the track since landing the G1 1,000 Guineas. That is unquestionably the best form in this race, as she handily saw off multiple-Group 1 winner Tahiyra. That was her third straight win this season, and the step up in trip could bring out even further improvement.

READ MORE: F1 Picks: United States Grand Prix Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Oct 22)

Mawj (9-1) brilliantly wins the QIPCO 1000 Guineas Stakes @NewmarketRace!

Tahiyra was a willing nemesis, but @oismurphy was not to be denied aboard @godolphin's high-class filly ⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Q4IL81Nc5f

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 7, 2023

Elusive Princess has already shown her quality on American soil this season, and looks to be the main danger. The three-year-old was last seen winning the G3 Saratoga Oaks in August, holding off American Sonja to land victory by over three lengths. Her form, which includes a fifth behind Blue Rose Cen, reads incredibly strong.

Lindy is also a horse worth a second look this weekend, as she made her debut on American soil with an excellent performance at Kentucky Downs. She was a high-class performer in France earlier in the season, which included seconds at Longchamp in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and G3 Prix de la Grotte.

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Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Prediction

While Mawj looks hard to beat, it could be worth taking on the favorite with a runner with more fitness under her belt. John Harrington-trained Sounds of Heaven could be the solid play, as she returns after finishing sixth in the G1 Prix Rothschild. She was a winner over a mile at York earlier in the season, and the step up in trip should bring out huge improvement.

Free Pick