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?
Schedule and How To Watch
- When: Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 5:10 p.m. ET
- Where: Keeneland, Lexington
- How To Watch: FanDuel TV
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
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)
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 dāEssai des Pouliches and G3 Prix de la Grotte.
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.