Cambier Parc wires field in Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Cambier Parc put her class and versatility on full display when leading all the way Saturday in the Grade 1, $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup over a firm turf at Keeneland.

Cambier Parc had rallied from well behind in winning her last start, the Del Mar Oaks, but without much pace in this 36th running of the QE II, jockey John Velazquez had her on the lead the first time under the wire in the 1 1/8-mile turf fixture.

“There wasn’t much speed in the race,” said Chad Brown, who trains Cambier Parc for the OXO Equine of Larry Best. “We know from her works that she’s good that way. We gave Johnny the option to go to the lead and he took it, and the filly really responded.”

Once the field of eight 3-year-old fillies turned into the stretch, only Castle Lady had a realistic chance at catching Cambier Parc, but the Godolphin homebred making her North American debut came up a length shy when settling for second. Princesa Carolina was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies.

Cambier Parc, a bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of the Canadian champion Sealy Hill, returned $5.60 as favorite after finishing in 1:49.54.

The victory was a record fifth in the QE II for Velazquez, dating to 1995, and the third for Brown, who won in 2012 and 2018.

On a very bright afternoon, and before an ontrack crowd of 24,133, Velazquez allowed Cambier Parc to hustle up the rail after his mount broke sharply from post 2. With Magnetic Charm lapped on her outside, they went in fractions of 23.70 and 49.18 seconds while Castle Lady bided her time from just in behind them.

“When she got to the lead, she relaxed really well,” said Velazquez. “She had plenty left to come running in the lane. I think if another horse got closer, she would have gone again.”

Cambier Parc now has won five of eight starts, with her prior stakes victories coming in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride at Gulfstream Park, the Grade 3 Wonder Again at Belmont Park, and the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks. She was purchased by Best for $1.25 million at the 2017 Keeneland Yearling Sales.

“She’s had a long year after racing down at Gulfstream,” said Brown, “and to keep going and stay sound all the way through October is impressive. She’s a really well-bred, great-looking horse that anyone would like to have.”

Brown said he expects the QE II to be the final start of the year for Cambier Parc, with perhaps the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley here next April an early-season goal for 2020.

“We’ll give her a nice break,” he said. “She has all the earmarks of a horse who’s going to have a great career at 4 and 5 if we take care of her.”

Brown had two other starters in the QE II field, Cafe Americano (fourth) and Regal Glory (sixth).

Castle Lady, an Irish-bred based in France with trainer Henri-Alex Pantall, was the only other Grade (Group) 1 winner in the lineup, having captured the French 1000 Guiness in May at Longchamp.

“It was a perfect trip, racing just behind the winner,” said her jockey, Mickael Barzalona. “She just got beat by better today.”

The QE II, the last of six Grade 1 races at the 17-day fall meet, was first run in 1984, when Queen Elizabeth II was on hand to present the winner’s trophy during a private visit to central Kentucky. The queen was actually represented in this race for the first time with Magnetic Charm, who faded to last.

The $2 exacta (3-5) paid $25, the $1 trifecta (3-5-4) returned $85.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (3-5-4-6) was worth $28.