Elusive Princess Arrives for Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana
At 11h31, on October 13, 2023 • By KEENELAND
Elusive Princess (FR) announced her arrival in North America with authority on Aug. 4 at Saratoga when she romped to a 3¼-length victory as the favorite in the Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G3) as the favorite going 1 3/16 miles.
On Saturday, she will try to make another authoritative statement when she goes to the gate in the 40thrunning of the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana to be run at 1 1/8 miles over the Keeneland turf course.
“She got here last night and trained this morning,” trainer Arnaud Delacour said of the 3-year-old filly, who came into his barn following her victory at Saratoga. “We picked her up the day after she won at Saratoga and took her to Fair Hill (Training Center in Maryland) and that gave us two months to get ready for here.”
Delacour likes what he has seen from the Martinborough (JPN) filly who is Group 1-placed this year in France.
“She was very impressive at Saratoga and she is very efficient,” Delacour said. “Her last race in Europe (the Group 1 Prix de Diane run at 1 5/16 miles) she showed a big turn of foot and made a big run to finish fifth from far back.”
Turf conditions for the Prix de Diane were labeled good to soft and Elusive Princess caught soft conditions at Saratoga.
“She likes a little bit of cut (softness) in the ground, and I’d like to get that again Saturday,” Delacour said.
In addition to Elusive Princess, the QE II attracted European invaders Mawj (IRE), Sounds ofHeaven (GB) and Elounda Queen (IRE).
Flavien Prat, who has ridden the past two QE II winners in Shantisara (IRE) in 2021 and Gina Romantica last year, retains the mount on Elusive Princess on Saturday.
