Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Together (IRE), who rallied to finish second yesterday in the First Lady (G1), will remain at Keeneland this week for a run in Saturday’s 28th running of the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1).
“She
ran very well yesterday and we hope she runs better next week,” said
T.J. Comerford, head traveling lad for trainer Aidan O’Brien. “She is
going to stay here for the Queen Elizabeth.”
The
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is for 3-year-old fillies run at 1 1/8
miles on the turf whereas the First Lady was for fillies and mares
3-years-old and up going a mile on the grass. Together has faced older
rivals in her past three starts after posting runner-up finishes against
3-year-old fillies in Group 1 company in Great Britain and Ireland.
In other news regarding likely Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup starters, trainer Graham Motion said Team Valor International’s Summer Soiree is scheduled to work Monday morning at Fair Hill in Maryland and ship to Keeneland on Tuesday. … Winter Memories,
winner of the Appalachian (G3) here this spring in her 2011 debut is
scheduled to ship to Keeneland from New York on Monday. … Star Billing and Nereid, both trained by John Shirreffs who won last year’s QE II with Harmonious, are scheduled to arrive from California on Tuesday.
Other fillies invited to the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup are Marketing Mix, Kathmanblu and More Than Real. Entries for the race will be taken Wednesday.