QE II Challenge Cup (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
KEE- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
October 15, 2016

The betting public thought this would be a three horse race, and they would get exactly that.  But it would be the third horse of the three that were the tote board favorites that would get the win in the 12th running of the QE II Challenge Cup at KEE.  Lucky You would win for the third time in five starts, and gets the biggest victory of her career that she doesn’t have to share with someone else.  It is a win that will cement her spot in the BC Fillies and Mares Turf should the trainer, Rouge River Stables, choose to go there, though that would seem to be the obvious move.  We would all like to see the rematch between her and Attraction, as both attempt to bring down the mighty Mo Ki Missy.  This was her second race in two weeks, and it was a great way to rebound after a disappointing result in the Rodeo Drive.  For Rouge River Stables, this is her first win in this stake, and the same holds true for jockey F Prat.  The time of the victory was 1:46.02, placing it among the quicker editions of the race.  Congratulations to the winners!  Here’s a deeper look!

1st- 4- Lucky You (6/1)- Our eventual winner from Rouge River Stables started well, but not quite as quick initially as did Ena Barb.  She was not going to be content with just letting that one lead the way early, and she would snag the lead from her about midway into the first turn.  At the top of the backstretch, she began to pull away from her rival by a length, and would set the opening half mile in a time of :48.06., and six furlongs in a time of 1:11.10.  Continued to hold the advantage into the turn, leading by almost two lengths.   It only seemed like more daylight was opening up between her and the rest of the field at that point, and she was in very good shape as they hit the top of the stretch.  Ena Barb was not a threat, and there was no closer coming on with a strong charge.  By the time Shekinah started moving, Lucky You had given her the slip.  In the stretch, all that was left was to watch her run and guess what the eventual margin of victory would be.  It is a huge win for this filly as she figures to be SA bound next month.  Lucky You is a three year old filly by Double Luc and out of Fusion Girl.  She was bred in Kentucky by Delta Farms as a third quarter two year old and was acquired by Rouge River Stables in private sales on the last day of May for $80.000.    Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 5- Ena Barb (4/5)- Quickly burst out to the lead for trainer Canadian Racing, and the strong favorite would lead the way into the opening turn.  She could not hold Lucky You off for long, and would soon concede the lead and be content to follow her down the backstretch and into the turn.  Pretty much, this is what she would do all the way to the wire.  Ena Barb was clearly the second best horse in this race today.

3rd- 8- Shekinah (3/1)- Wasted no time assuming her spot in the rear of the field for Blushing Meadows, and no one was surprised by this.   She was moved forward a bit in the backstretch as D Moran seemed to be setting up her big run quite well.  Found a nice lane between Heartland and Plucky Elmo to accomplish this.  She would start to come on in the stretch, but her progress was not nearly enough for Lucky You to notice her.

4th- 3- Heartland (16/1)- The TwinTowersRacing entry started near the rear of the field, though started to inch her way forward into the a midpack positon as we moved to the turn.  Seemed to just hold her line during the backstretch, and was still about four and a half off the lead moving into the final turn.  Battled with Shekinah the best she could in the stretch as they fought for third.

5th- 7- Bake The Donut (60/1)- The longest shot on the board, from Night Rider Stables started in the middle of the field early on.  Wanted to make a move around the outside heading into the turn, but never seemed to make much progress.  Ran adequately, but nothing special either.

6th- 2- Eastern Sweetness (14/1)- Started quickly out of the gate for Mb Stables, and was in a good spot initially just a length behind Ena Barb and Lucky You.  Backed off slightly from that pursuit in the backstretch, and would be three lengths out of it as they moved into the turn.  Bowed out of contention gradually over the final few furlongs.

7th- 6- Plucky Elmo (13/1)- Midpack early for trainer Hawaiian Shirt Guy, but had to go about four wide into the opening turn. Maintained a steady stride in the backstretch, but never seemed poised to make a run.  She would have no response in the stretch.

8th- 1- Clash Of The Viking (25/1)–   Had no interested in the early pace, and the Sanny Village entry was even behind Shekinah as they moved into the opening turn.  Remained at the back for the entire backstretch trip and had visions about a wide move in the final turn, but didn’t have the leg power to make it work and remained at the back.

Track: Firm
Time: :48   1:11   1:34¹  1:46

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 5 Paid 9.50
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 5 – 8 Paid 31.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES