Expert Pick of the Week: 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes

Oct 13, 2022 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An
excellent field of seven three-year-old fillies will go postward in Saturday’s
$600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile
turf affair is led by a dangerous duo from the barn of Chad Brown, most notably
Belmont Oaks Invitational S. (G1) heroine McKulick.
But I will aim for an upset in the affair.

 

West
Coast invader Bellabel has been
sharp since arriving in the U. S. for conditioner Phil D’Amato, led by a
victory in the San Clemente S. (G2) two back. The daughter of Belardo was a
clear runner-up in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her latest venture, and I expect
her to go one better while making her Keeneland debut. She is the Expert Pick
of the Week.

 

Bred
in Ireland, the sophomore miss romped in her first two starts in
the states, and she gave a nice account of herself in her first try at nine
furlongs last time out. The talented miss exits a pair of races where
she was drawn into huge fields and sat within striking range of fast early
tempos, and it’s her tactical speed that will lead to her success on Saturday.

 

Bellabel
comes in fresh with six morning drills in anticipation of this major tilt, and
I envision her being sent to the front early on by Umberto Rispoli in a race
lacking pace in a big way. The dark bay has improved her Brisnet Speed rating
in each of her races for this outfit, and I like her chances to dictate the
action soon after the opening bell.

 

McKulick
has never been off the board in her lifetime and comes off a facile victory in
the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational S. (G1) at Aqueduct most recently. The classy
daughter of Frankel finished a clear second in the Regret S. (G3) at Churchill
Downs in June in her lone effort at the distance, and she will appreciate the
cut back in trip on this occasion.
The bay will stalk from off the early pace while in the clear before being
asked for her best in the stretch by Irad Ortiz, Jr.

 

 

An
exacta with #5 Bellabel on top of #6 McKulick in the Queen Elizabeth II
Challenge Cup Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.