The QE II Challenge Cup – GI
10/12/19
KEE Race 1 1 1/8M – Turf
Purse $500.000
Three Year Olds Fillies

A field of seven will be going into the starting gate for this years running of the grade one QE II Challenge Cup here over the Keeneland turf course. There was eight runners but there has been one scratch so we go with seven. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Chais Princess (12-3-0-6 $407.260), trained by Maxmillion Farm

A multiple graded stakes winner on the year right here with a grade one win on the dirt and a grade two on the turf in her last start when she won the Lake Placid by five lengths on the soft turf. I think she has a chance to win this if she runs big again.

2. Emotionless (11-2-2-2 $190.720), trained by Team 7 Illusions

The next filly in the field is coming into this race off of a ninth place finish in the grade one Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita just two weeks ago. She ran well in the grade one Del Mar Oaks before that when she finished third though. A race like two back puts her up there in here.

3. Bagina (7-2-2-1 $68.880), trained by Chili King Stables

And this filly here is coming into this race off of a eighth place finish in the grade three Ketucky Downs Ladies Turf. She did not run too well in there but she was up clear the pace and I think she runs better from off of it. She will have to run a huge race to have any chance.

4. Conviction (12-3-2-4 $625.200), trained by Team 7 Illusions

Scratched

5. Incredulous (7-0-4-1 $71.660), trained by Mb Stables

Very rarely do you see an Mb Stables entry where you wonder why in the world is this horse in this race but this is one of those times. This filly has not been able to break her maiden in any race but Mb Stables keeps firing her in big spots. If it wasn’t for the trainer she would be a toss but I just can never fully count Mb Stables out.

6. Suribachi (7-3-0-1 $48.990), trained by TwinTowers Racing

Now on to this filly who is coming into this race off of a fourth place finish in an optional claimer at Saratoga. One thing I like about her is that this is her first time ever going a route of ground and I think she is begging for it. A dark horse to win this field I think.

7. Lorraine (15-6-3-2 $276.500),

trained by Mo Mentum Farm
Arguably the horse in the best form in this field because she is on a two race win streak which included a three length romp in the Violet at Monmouth in her last. I know it was an ungraded stakes but she won very easily that day. I think she will put in a big race.

8. Proud Eights (9-3-1-1 $388.200), trained by Estero Farms

Last runner in the field right here and she has not been able to find the winners circle since Oaks day at Churchill in the grade three Edgewood. Her last few have not been good at all but a return to her own age group should help. She has to overcome this post to have any chance.

Summary

Well I am not going to lie this is a less than stellar field for a grade one but it is definitely not a terrible field either. The best three year old turf fillies are gearing up for the Breeders Cup so one of these can nab a grade one in here. My top pick is Chais Princess in here. Good luck to all in the field.

1-7-2-8

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES