Horse Racing Nation Expert Picks: 2022 QEII at Keeneland
The last American Grade 1 race before the Breeders' Cup is upon us. The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, covering 1 1/8 miles on the Keeneland lawn, is the most prestigious stateside race for three-year-old turf fillies.
This year's edition drew a field of seven. Chad Brown trainee McKulick has been named the even-money morning-line favorite. Will she run to the projected money, or will someone like California Angel, New Year's Eve, or Gina Romantica be able to deny her?
Below is how the experts at Horse Racing Nation plan to play the QEII Challenge Cup.
Sara Elbadwi, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: No. 6 McKulick
On the Board: No. 5 Bellabel
Longshot I Like: No. 1 California Angel
Analysis: McKulick is a deserving favorite and the most likely winner for trainer Chad Brown, but Bellabel has been closest to Spenderella - the horse I would single if she was in here. Look out for California Angel to run third or fourth at a price.
Ashley Tamulonis, From Coast to Coast
Winner: No. 6 McKulick
On the Board: No. 4 New Year's Eve
Longshot I Like: No. 1 California Angel
Analysis: This race is devoid of early speed, so expect a sprint-style finish. McKulick is the one to beat, and I expect Irad Ortiz, Jr. to hustle her to the front and make the field chase her. California Angel has previously won a graded stakes on this course, so don't sleep on her.
Jerrod Horak, Today's Best Bet
Winner: No. 2 Gina Romantica
On the Board: No. 6 McKulick
Longshot I Like: No. 5 Bellabel
Analysis: Gina Romantica closed wide from the outside post in a good effort in the Pebbles last time. She ran well in both turf tries and Flavien Prat might get aggressive early in a race lacking front-end speed. McKulick always finishes in the top three. She will probably stalk slow fractions. Bellabel had her three-race win streak snapped when completing the exacta in the Del Mar Oaks last time.
Wagers: No. 2 to win, Exacta 2-6, Trifecta 2-5/2-5-6/2-5-6
Rowan Ward, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: No. 7 Paris Peacock
On the Board: No. 5 Bellabel
Longshot I Like: No. 1 California Angel
Analysis: This is a paceless affair; typically European speed does not hold in America, but there is so little early speed that Paris Peacock could seize that advantage.
Bellabel has shown tactical speed, and her last nine-furlong try came against a proper Group 1 horse in Spendarella. Though odds-on favorite McKulick belongs underneath, take a stand against on top; she has little early speed, and between the Chad Brown entrants Gina Romantica could work the more tactical trip. Among long shots, California Angel's liking for Keeneland could put her in the picture.