Trending

Hot Cha Cha upsets QE II at Keeneland

sports.espn.go.com

October 17, 2009 07:48pm

Phil Sims has been based at Keeneland during the vast majority of his 30 years of training racehorses. Saturday, Sims didn't have to go anywhere to get the thrill of his career when Hot Cha Cha, ridden by James Graham, stormed through an inside opening when straightening for home and drew clear to a 4 1/2-length romp in the 26th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

Hot Cha Cha, a daughter of Cactus Ridge, returned $19 as fourth choice in a field of seven 3-year-old fillies. She completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.09 over a turf course rated soft.