Catch a Glimpse heads cast of probables for Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Catch a Glimpse will return to the scene of her greatest victory when looking to avenge her only turf defeat as part of a terrific lineup of 3-year-old turf fillies expected next Saturday for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland.

It was at Keeneland last fall that Catch a Glimpse won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf during an eight-race win streak in grass races. That streak finally ended Aug. 21 at Saratoga, where Time and Motion nailed her in the final yards of the Grade 2 Lake Placid.

Duly regrouped with four breezes at Saratoga prior to being vanned to Churchill Downs last weekend, Catch a Glimpse figures as a major contender in the 33rd running of the QE II, an invitational contested at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Her feats were so outstanding last year at 2 that she was named Horse of the Year in Canada.

“She worked really well before we left out of Saratoga,” said Norm Casse, who has overseen the recent training of Catch a Glimpse for his father, trainer Mark Casse.

Time and Motion, trained by Jimmy Toner, also will be in from New York for the $500,000 QE II, the sixth and final Grade 1 race of the Keeneland fall meet. The other invitees are Harmonize, Hawksmoor, Mokat, Now Or Never, On Leave, Outsider Art, Queen Caroline, Stays in Vegas, and Try Your Luck.

Entries will be drawn Wednesday.

Double action for racing club on Sunday's card

Warrior’s Club and Dial Me both have raced four times, but never have the Churchill Downs Racing Club color-bearers run on the same program.

Until Sunday at Keeneland, that is. Gary Palmisano Jr., who helps manage the Louisville-based ownership group, said about 220 members are expected to be on hand at Keeneland when Warrior’s Club runs in race 4 and Dial Me goes in race 6. Both 2-year-olds are trained by D. Wayne Lukas.

“Keeneland has blocked off a section of the apron for us,” said Palmisano. “It should be a lot of fun.”

First mile race next weekend

When the Breeders’ Cup was held here last year, Keeneland held one-mile races on its main track for the first time, necessitated by hosting the BC Dirt Mile.

Racing secretary Ben Huffman has continued to write those two-turn races, which actually use about a 70-yard run-up before the timer is activated. There will be a handful of them at this meet, with the first in the condition book set for next Saturday on the QE II undercard.

Ritvo’s first local starter

Kathy Ritvo, best known for her work with 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man, is here with a small stable for the first time. Her first starter comes Sunday with Diamond Earring in race 7, a $66,000, third-level allowance.

“I came here for the yearling sales last month and decided I’d send up a few horses to run,” said Ritvo. “It’s such a nice place.”

◗ Aside from the five-horse lineup in the Spinster Stakes, the 10-race Sunday card is awash with full fields. Counting also-eligibles, the total number of entries in the other nine races is 119, or an average of more than 13 per race.