Dual-surface filly Harvey's Lil Goil shines in QEII Challenge Cup

Trainer Bill Mott has moved Harvey’s Lil Goil back and forth across surfaces this season, letting the American Pharoah filly to battle the best of both the 3-year-old female dirt and turf divisions. Mott put her on the lawn Saturday, and she became a Grade 1 winner.

Harvey’s Lil Goil pressured pacesetter Sweet Melania and put her away, then she held off late runners to win Keeneland’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1). The victory was her second in graded-stakes company, following another turf score June 27 at Churchill Downs in the Regret Stakes (G3).

Saturday’s victory at 1 1/8 miles established Harvey’s Lil Goil as a name to watch for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. That 1 3/16-mile championship event will be run Nov. 7 over the same Keeneland course.

Mott was asked Thursday if Harvey’s Lil Goil would appear in the Breeders’ Cup, and in what event.

“We would have to determine what happens with her after that race,” he said. “I wouldn’t be pressing to run in the Breeders’ Cup unless she put on a real good show on Saturday.”

Harvey’s Lil Goil did just that under jockey Martin Garcia. Rather than let Sweet Melania get out to a comfortable lead, Garcia moved his mount up to challenge the leader through a quarter-mile in 23.89 seconds and half-mile in 47.75.

Coming through the turn, Harvey’s Lil Goil pulled even alongside Sweet Melania. Those two turned for home on even terms with Harvey’s Lil Goil to the outside and Sweet Melania at the rail.

Harvey’s Lil Goil put that one away in early stretch, but there was still work to do. The 8-5 favorite Magic Attitude was moving up with a four-wide bid while Micheline was also accelerating to her outside.

Micheline mounted the strongest rally of the challengers but came up a half-length short, finishing second to the newly minted Grade 1 winner. Magic Attitude crossed third ahead of Red Lark.

A 7-2 third choice in the betting, Harvey’s Lil Goil returned $9.20 to win. She covered the nine furlongs in 1:48.72.

The Kentucky-bred Harvey’s Lil Goil is owned by the estate of Harvey A. Clarke and Paul Braverman. She has a record of 8: 4-1-1 with other recent efforts including a third-place run Aug. 15 over Saratoga’s main track in the Alabama Stakes (G1) and a runner-up turf finish at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 10 in the Dueling Grounds Oaks.

“She pretty much goes on each surface for us,” Mott’s assistant trainer Kenny McCarthy said. “I think at least in my mind the turf is probably a little easier for her to handle. But she’s a superstar.”