Evening Jewel vs. Check The Label in QEII

Photo: Charles Pravata / Eclipse Sportswire

Evening Jewel and Check The Label who have won seven consecutive graded stakes between them, will meet in a showdown of star 3-year-old fillies Oct. 16 in the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland.

A field of eight was drawn for 1 1/8-mile turf race, with Marilyn Braly’s California shipper Evening Jewel and Lael Stables’ East Coast-based Check the Label expected to vie for favoritism. Also in the mix is American Oaks (gr. IT) victor Harmonious, Lake George (gr. IIT) winner Perfect Shirl, grade III winner Snow Top Mountain, and European invader Zagora, a two-time group III winner in France making her North American debut.

Evening Jewel has won three consecutive starts since missing by a nose in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and being switched to turf by trainer James Cassidy. The daughter of Northern Afleet began her win streak in the May 31 Honeymoon Handicap (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park, and followed with a pair of victories at Del Mar—the July 25 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) and Aug. 21 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT). Victor Espinoza, aboard for all of those wins, will fly in for the mount.

Read More

Death, taxes, and Forever Young . Once again making history thousands of miles away from his home, the...
Paladin added another Derby prep title to his resume Saturday, surging in the final strides to narrowly beat...
Bella Ballerina remained unbeaten with a hard-fought half-length victory in Saturday's Grade 2, $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes at...
No horse in the short history of the Group 1, $20 million Saudi Cup had won the race...
Point Dume led all performers with a 143 Horse Racing Nation speed figure at Laurel Park in the...