QE II Challenge Cup Invitational – G1 Stakes
Betting Keeneland’s main track has been tricky to say the least. The G1 QE II Invitational at 1 and 1/8 miles on the turf presents a chance for horseplayers to recoup some losses after taking a beating on the polytrack.A great thing about this race is the top 3 morning line favorites all faced one another on September 12th in Belmont’s G1 Garden City Stakes; what you might call a “key race.” In that race, Gozzip Girl went off at 2-5 yet failed to hit the board. Many will point to her troubled trip and throw out that performance.
However, Miss World also had a troubled trip of her own. She was forced to steady early and got caught going wide the rest of the way. Despite those setbacks, she had plenty in the tank late and closed well to win easily over soft turf. Another consideration is that she’s 3 of 8 lifetime but in turf races over a mile she’s a perfect 3 for 3. If you want another angle, her trainer is Christophe Clement, a noted turf conditioner. There’s plenty to like.
I left Miss World out my ticket in the Garden City but I’m fully on board now. I’m going to single her on top of Exacta and Trifecta plays with Gozzip Girl and Shared Account in the second spot along with Hot Cha Cha, Lady Shakespeare, and Blind Date on the bottom.
Not a lot of pace in this race and I think the horses will bunch up at the final turn and make a mad dash for the wire. I anticipate a blanket finish with perhaps only a length separating the top 4 or 5 runners. I’d be very hesitant to take short odds again on Gozzip Girl. To be honest, I wouldn’t take short odds on Miss World either as I think Shared Account, Hot Cha Cha, Lady Shakespeare, and Blind Date can all win this if they get the right trip.
In fact, if Shared Account is left loose on the lead, she may lead wire to to wire. She might be worth a play on top if the odds are attractive.
