Luster Invades Keeneland for the Queen Elizabeth II

Royalty on the Grass: Keeneland’s Queen Takes Center Stage

Three weeks from now, the whole racing world descends on Lexington for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 30 and 31. Keeneland isn’t waiting around for the party to start. The track is celebrating its 90th birthday this fall, and Saturday’s centerpiece is a jewel worthy of the occasion: the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana, 1 1/8 miles on the turf for 3-year-old fillies. It goes as Race 9 at 5:16 p.m. ET.

The horse everyone is talking about has crossed a border to get here. Luster, Canada’s top 3-year-old of either sex, demolished the King’s Plate by 7 1/4 lengths in excellent time. She did that on Woodbine’s all-weather surface, but she’s a perfect 2-for-2 on grass, including a win over this Keeneland course in April. Trainer Josie Carroll has handed the reins to Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and she’s the 5-2 morning-line favorite from post 2. Is she as good as she looked in Toronto? Saturday will tell us.

Right behind her on the morning line is Faithful Departed (7-2), who was a game second in both the Belmont Oaks and the Saratoga Oaks. Jose Ortiz is aboard for Grant Forster, and the slight cutback in distance after two months of rest could be just what she needs. Then there’s Tam Tam (4-1), the fresh Del Mar Oaks (G1) winner for Phil Bauer. She has been no worse than third in eight of nine starts, and her tactical speed from post 3 should keep her in the hunt with Junior Alvarado aboard.

The intrigue gets thicker from there. Kensington Lane (IRE) won the Belmont Oaks (G1) in her U.S. debut, then set the pace and faded to third behind Tam Tam at Del Mar; expect those two to tangle early again. Braida (FR) ships in from France for Francis-Henri Graffard, who just won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the second straight year with Daryz. Storm’s Wake already conquered this course in the spring Appalachian (G2) and comes in off an Old Dominion Oaks win. And you can never dismiss Chad Brown in this race. He’s won it five times, and he sends Deep Learning with Flavien Prat riding.

Over at Belmont Park, Saturday’s feature is the $200,000 Hill Prince (G3) at 1 3/16 miles on the inner turf, slotted as Race 10. The headliner is Caroline St. Beat, a New York-bred son of Tiz the Law who has rocketed from state-bred maiden winner to Grade 2 hero in just five starts. Trainer Miguel Clement ran him in a Saratoga allowance and then shipped him to Kentucky Downs one week later, where he won the Nashville Derby (G2) going away. That bold move has pushed his bankroll past $1.17 million. Manny Franco rides from post 6. His toughest foe may be Lennox the Grey, who held off a late charge to take the Old Dominion Derby (G3) for Arnaud Delacour. He has a fun pedigree footnote, too: his extended family includes Golden Tempo, this year’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner. Belmont’s card also features the inaugural $175,000 Bricks and Mortar Stakes in Race 8, a seven-furlong turf dash for sophomores named after the great Horse of the Year.

Down in West Virginia, Charles Town hosts its signature state-bred night, highlighted by the $300,000 Sam Huff WV Breeders’ Classic at 1 1/8 miles.

Sunday brings speed back to Lexington with the $400,000 Franklin (G2), a 5 1/2-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares. It’s one of the final graded tune-ups for anyone eyeing the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint over this very course, so watch for a blistering pace and a wild finish.

So pour something bourbon-colored, tune in to FanDuel TV and FOX Sports, and settle in for a weekend that feels like an appetizer for the Breeders’ Cup. Will a Canadian queen be crowned in Kentucky? Post time can’t come soon enough. Our updated E-Z Win Forms are ready for the weekend.