Anne Marie Duff
KEENELAND SATURDAY
10.30 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. presented by Lane’s End (Grade 1) 1m1f
A high-class field line up for this fillies Group 1 with Godolphin’s Wuheida one of the favourites. She took the Prix Marcel Boussac last year as a two-year-old and has raced in Group 1 company all this year in Europe.
New Money Honey won the Belmont Oaks but was beaten by the likely favourite, her Chad Brown stablemate Uni, last time out in the Sands Point.
Corkman Brendan Walsh could be in line for his first Grade 1 with Proctor’s Ledge.The three-year-old Ghostzapper filly returns to Keeneland with a couple of graded stakes victories from Saratoga.
“We freshened her up after Saratoga to focus on here,” Walsh said. “I am very happy with her. It is going to be a big test for her.”
Two Irish-bred fillies by Sir Prancealot – Beau Recall and Madam Dancealot – also have a squeak. Hugo Palmer’s German 1000 Guineas winner Unforgetable Filly is also in the line up. Con Te Partiro won at Royal Ascot for Wesley Ward but is among the outsiders.
SELECTION: New Money Honey Next Best: Proctor’s Ledge.
WOODBINE SUNDAY
10:28 E. P. Taylor Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) 1m2f
Aidan O’Brien’s quest for the magical 26 Group/Grade 1 winners takes him to Canada tomorrow where Rain Goddess is the first into competition in the EP Taylor Stakes.
Fellow Europeans Blond Me and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Nezwaah provide stiff competition.
SELECTION: Nezwaah
Next Best: Blond Me
11:10 Pattison Canadian International Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m4f
Idaho could be the one to bring Aidan O’Brien closer to his record number if he can find his best form. Fifth in the race last year, Idaho, a winner of the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, bids to give O’Brien his third win in the race and jockey Ryan Moore his fourth. He was down the field in the Arc and unplaced at Saratoga before that and needs to bring his best form.
Europeans have won the last six runnings and Chemical Charge is the other European tasked with extending that streak. Ralph Beckett’s colt won the September Stakes, and son of Sea The Stars should put up a bold show. He also finished a good third in the Hardwicke. Oisin Murphy takes the ride.
Erupt represented French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard when winning this last year and reappears under the care of Graham Motion. He was disappointing in the Sword Dancer at Saratoga
Postulation began life with Dermot Weld and won the American St Leger this year.
Earlier on the card, Charlie Hills sends Cotai Glory to challenge for the six-furlong Grade 2 Neartic Stakes, with Oisin Murphy on board.
SELECTION: Chemical Charge
Next Best: Erupt