Betting the QE II Challenge Cup Stakes on a Budget

Crown Queen enters the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes off a victory in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes in August at Saratoga Race Course. (Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA)
Saturday marks the 30th edition of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. The Grade 1 race for 3-year-old fillies is named in honor of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, who presented a trophy at Keeneland Race Course for the inaugural running on Oct. 11, 1984 during a visit to the United States.
The $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is one of final prep races for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf and will be run at 1 ⅛ miles on the grass.
Let’s take a look at this talented 9-horse field and see if we can find a winning ticket on budget.
Crown Queen is one of the best in the field, which is understandable because any horse that is related to Royal Delta boasts a pedigree filled with class. Given that this field does not have a huge amount competition in terms of speed, I could easily see her being able to extend her three-race winning streak. Crown Queen, a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to the aforementioned Royal Delta, is maturing well on the turf, and I think Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott will have her ready. With a nice break and John Velazquez aboard, I expect to see a great performance.
Personal Diary  is coming off a victory in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 16 when she defeated Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup challenger Sea Queen. Running at this distance, the City Zip filly is 4-for-4 in the money, so I would recommend adding her to your exotic bets as a good idea. Personal Diary will break from post position 5 with Corey Nakatani riding.
I would most like to see Sistas Stroll make it across the finish line first. Lightly raced, she has made a name for herself by winning 3 of 4 career starts. I like that she’s currently at 12-1 odds because pairing her the right way in your bets could produce a nice profit. You can even just bet her alone, which I’m very likely to do in this case.
SISTAS STROLL WINNING THE PUCKER UP STAKES AT ARLINGTON

Four Footed Fotos
Here’s how I would bet the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes on a $20 budget using: #8 Crown Queen, #5 Personal Diary, #1 Sistas Stroll
Bet A: $5 trifecta part wheel - 5,8 with 1,5,8 with 1,5,8 = $20
Bet B: $10 win/show on Sistas Stroll = $20
Bet C: $3 exacta box - 1,5,8 = $18
Good Luck!
$500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup StakesRace 9, Keeneland, Post Time 5:13 PM E.T.1 1/8 miles on turf, 3-year-old fillies

PP

Horse

Jockey

Weight

Trainer

1

Sistas Stroll 

Drayden Van Dyke

121

Tom Proctor

2

Minorette 

Joel Rosario

121

Chad Brown

3

Speed Seeker 

James Graham

121

Joan Scott

4

Aurelia's Belle 

Channing Hill

121

Wayne Catalano

5

Personal Diary 

Corey Nakatani

121

Victoria Oliver

6

Ball Dancing 

Joe Bravo

121

Chad Brown

7

Sea Queen 

Irad Ortiz Jr.

121

Christophe Clement

8

Crown Queen 

John Velazquez

121

Bill Mott

9

Daring Dancer 

Alan Garcia

121

Graham Motion