My Conquestadory retired at 3

The field for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Saturday at Keeneland took a second blow with the retirement of My Conquestadory.

The filly became the second Grade 1 winner to defect from the race this week, joining Beverly D. Stakes winner Euro Charline, who was declared Monday due to lameness.

Following the defections, Keeneland racing secretary Ben Huffman said that Speed Seeker has now been invited to join the Queen Elizabeth II lineup. The filly has won two of three career starts, including the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes by 4 3/4 lengths last out. She joins original invitees Aurelia’s Belle, Ball Dancing, Crown Queen, Daring Dancer, Minorette, Personal Diary, Sea Queen, and Xcellence.

Huffman added that there may be an additional invitation for the race issued Tuesday – bringing the total group back to 10 fillies – before final entries are taken and post positions drawn Wednesday.

My Conquestadory won her debut in the Grade 2 Summer Stakes on the Woodbine turf in September 2013, then won the Grade 1 Alicibiades on the Keeneland Polytrack. Those were her only two victories from six career starts, but she placed in all three of her races this season, all in graded stakes, including a third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks in August in her final start. She retires with earnings of $503,526.