She Feels Pretty reigns in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup
October 14, 2024 October 14, 2024
Back to Our News PageLael Stables’ Kentucky-bred She Feels Pretty dashed past Caitlinhergrtness and drew off to a record-breaking victory in the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Ridden by John Velazquez, She Feels Pretty tipped outside the leader in upper stretch and gained an advantage at the three-sixteenths pole. She kicked away strongly in the lane and won by six lengths at the finish. The margin of victory eclipsed the five-length winning margin by Shantisara (IRE) in 2021 and Graceful Darby in 1987. She Feels Pretty covered the 1 1/8 miles on turf in a fast 1:46.50.
A Keeneland sales graduate, She Feels Pretty is a daughter of Karakontie (JPN) out of the More Than Ready mare Summer Sweet. Now a two-time Grade 1 winner, She Feels Pretty, who was bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud, now owns a record of 7-4-1-2 and her bankroll stands at $948,317.
“It’s extremely (gratifying) when you have a filly at this level,” said winning trainer Cherie DeVaux. “She puts it out there every time. She’s been unlucky in her last two (races). She second (in the Lake Placid S. (G2) Aug. 17) and third (in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) on July 6). So, we’ve been working her with the blinkers, trying to get her to stick to her own task.”