Lush Lips Hands Laurelin A First Defeat In Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Upset

Lush Lips has her Grade 1 breakthrough in QEII Cup

After racing a stalking second around the two turns, Lush Lips took the lead in the homestretch Saturday and held off previously undefeated Laurelin to win the Grade 1, $800,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on the turf at Keeneland. Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, the first-time Grade 1 victor won for the fourth time in seven starts since she was transferred from Europe to trainer Brendan Walsh. Click here for Keeneland entries and results. Opul…

Lush Lips Hands Laurelin A First Defeat In Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Upset

Undefeated no more. Lush Lips (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) inherited a late lead and held off a closing charge from the previously-undefeated Laurelin (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) to claim her first Grade I win in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland Saturday. It was redemption in a way for a filly who took a chance in California last out, shipping from Churchill Downs to wind up just a half-length back of Velocity (Nyquist) in the G…