Euro Charline tops Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup prospects

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Euro Charline is the top name among 10 3-year-old fillies with invitations to the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, which will be run here Oct. 11 as the sixth and last Grade 1 race of the fall meet.

Euro Charline defeated older fillies and mares Aug. 16 in her American debut, the Grade 1 Beverly D., and was turned over afterward to trainer Todd Pletcher. The British-bred filly shows three September workouts, all on the Belmont Park turf, and is “doing just terrific,” said Barry Irwin, who manages the Team Valor International partnership that owns her.

Euro Charline is one of four Grade 1 winners invited to the 1 1/8-mile turf race. The others are Minorette, My Conquestadory, and Personal Diary. Also invited are Aurelia’s Belle, Ball Dancing, Crown Queen, Daring Dancer, Sea Queen, and Xcellence.

Large Jessamine field expected

Keeneland racing officials are expecting a sizable field of 2-year-old fillies for the Grade 3, $150,000 Jessamine Stakes, which helps lead off the first five-day race week as the eighth and last Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In event of the meet Wednesday.

Among those expected for the 1 1/16-mile turf race are Cool Comfort, Fila Primera, Magnificent Margo, Rainha Da Bateria, and Walking the Kitten. Entries were to be taken Saturday.