Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

by Patricia Woo | Oct 12 2009

The Breeders' Cup is less than a month away and many of this year's top contenders are putting in their final preps. For those seeking a chance to capture the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., is one of the most important prep races of the year. This 1 1/8-mile Gr. 1 race for 3-year-old fillies on the turf will take place this Saturday, Oct. 17, and offers a purse of $500,000. And those looking to bet on horse racing will want to keep an eye on Well Monied, Gozzip Girl and Miss World, three top nominees for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.

Well Monied is a 3-year-old filly looking for her first grade 1 score. Trainer Howard Zucker has seen a lot of improvement from his charge throughout her 2009 campaign, beginning with an allowance race win on May 2 and then her first graded stakes win in the Gr. 2 Honeymoon Stakes, both at Hollywood Park. Zucker had the Kentucky-bred daughter of Maria's Mon stretch out to 1 1/4 miles in the Gr. 1 American Oaks at that same track in July but she finished second to Gozzip Girl. And in her most recent race, the Gr. 1 Del Mar Oaks at Del Mar, Well Monied hit the wire third. Her third attempt at winning a grade 1 race could be the charm, but she will have to get by her American Oaks Invitational Stakes foe Gozzip Girl first.

Gozzip Girl has had a tremendous season so far, capturing four titles: the Coconut Grove Stakes in February and the Herecomesthebride Stakes in March at Gulfstream Park, the Sands Point Stakes at Belmont Park in May and then the American Oaks Invitational Stakes at Hollywood Park in July. In her latest outing, the Gr. 1 Garden City Stakes at Belmont Park, Gozzip Girl had a tough trip, clipping heels with a rival and then running out steam when asked. Trainer Thomas Albertrani will be hoping that his trainee gets a better trip in Saturday's race. Able to handle yielding and firm tracks, Gozzip Girl should be a strong presence in the QE II Challenge Cup.

Miss World was the winner of the Garden City Stakes on Sept. 12 and will be looking for her fourth straight win on Saturday. Racing on her favorite surface (turf) and at her ideal distance (1 1/8 miles), Miss World will be in her element on Saturday, according to trainer Christophe Clement. This Kentucky-bred daughter of Bernstein has a strong turn of foot and the ability to race from off the pace, and she should be a tough competitor.

The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is an important stepping stone on the way to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park. Who do you think will win this significant prep race?

The 2009 Breeders' Cup is only a few weeks away. Get all your horse racing odds at Keeneland at the Bodog Racebook!