Cambier Parc owned by OXO Equine went right to the front out of the gate while refuting the challenge in the final jump from Castle Lady (IRE) winning the 36th running of the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup presented by Lane’s End (G1) for 3 yo fillies winning by a length before a packed crowd of twenty four thousand on hand at Keeneland.
Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by John Velazquez, Cambier Parc according to Equibase results covered the 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course in 1:49.54.
Chad Brown Said; “We talked about (the race strategy) in the Paddock. There wasn’t a lot of pace in the race. We know from her works – we’ve used her as a lead horse sometimes in her works, and she’s good that way. I gave (jockey John Velazquez) the option to go to the lead, and he took it. She really responded.”
“My team did a great job preparing her here for this race. She’s had a long year, starting in a race at Gulfstream in the winter. I appreciate (owner) Larry Best giving me the opportunity with this horse. She’s a really well-bred, great-looking horse that anyone would love to have. I’m lucky to have her.”
Velazquez earned his record-extending fifth victory in the race. His previous wins came with Perfect Arc (1995), Alwajeeha (2008), Crown Queen (2014) and Time and Motion (2016).
John Velazquez said; “When she got to the lead, she relaxed really well. The strategy was – there was no pace – to use her going into the first turn. She relaxed in front. She had plenty to come running in the lane. Once she got to the lead, she relaxed and she opened up a length, a length and a half, and she decided to wait for the horses. I had to keep reminding her to keep running. I didn’t want to get surprised by another horse on the outside. I think if another horse got closer, she would have gone again.”
The victory gave Brown his third win in the race. His previous winners were Dayatthespa in 2012 and Rushing Fall in 2018.
Cambier Parc led the field of eight through fractions of :23.70, :49.18 and 1:14.41 with Magnetic Charm (GB) in closest pursuit. At the head of the lane, Cambier Parc brushed aside a brief threat from stablemate Regal Glory and spurted clear with enough cushion to hold Castle Lady at bay in the run to the wire.
A $1.25 million Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Cambier Parc is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro out of 2007 Canadian Horse of the Year Sealy Hill, by Point Given.
The victory was worth $300,000 and improved Cambier Parc’s earnings to $797,460 with a record of 8-5-0-1 that now includes consecutive Grade 1 victories.
Cambier Parc rewarded her backers with payoffs of $5.60, $3.20 and $2.80. Castle Lady, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, returned $4.60 and $3.60 and finished 1¾ lengths in front of Princesa Carolina who paid $5 to show under Jose Ortiz.
It was another neck back to Café Americano with Varenka, Regal Glory, Kelsey’s Cross and Magnetic Charm following in order.
Edited From Press Release
