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Harmonious runs away with Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Rick Capone's photo
Horse Racing Examiner

It should have been obvious.

Would trainer John Shirreffs really leave Zenyatta out in California for a few days and travel all the way to Lexington, Kentucky if he didn't have a horse he really believed could win the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. 1) on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010?

Seriously, would he have come if he didn't think his filly, Harmonious, had a really, really good chance to win the 27th edition of the 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies?

Answer, no way.

Result, after stalking the race leader down the backstretch and into the far turn, Harmonious, with jockey Joel Rosario riding, moved out three wide in the final turn, then flew past the leader and easily drew away from the rest of the field, crossing the finish 4 1/2 lengths ahead of her nearest competitor – who was never a threat.

Finishing second was European challenger, Zagora (Fr.), with Evening Jewel in third.

"She's really a nice filly, and she has a wonderful stride, which you saw," Shirreffs said after the race. "She can utilize that… It's really more about how she's comfortable in the race. She hit that nice big stride. At that point, there's no sense fighting and trying to take her back."

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Owned by Martin, Emily and Pam Wygood, the daughter of Dynaformer completed the race in 1:49.14 to improve her career record to four wins in six starts and $502.420 in purses.

The win also gave Shirreffs his first victory at Keeneland, which, in and of itself, is surprising. Then again, he spends most of his time in California.

All of the horses broke clean, with Dade Babe (profile) taking the lead and holding it for most of the race. Harmonious (profile) stalked the leader in second, with Evening Jewel (profile) right behind.
 
Coming round the far turn, the action began to pick up. Harmonious moved outside three-wide at the end of the turn, heading into the stretch. With some urging from Rosario, she began to pick up speed, flew by Dade Babe and just continued to widen her lead going down the stretch to the wire.
 
Evening Jewel tried to catch her, but just did not have the speed on this day, and eventually finished in third after being passed by Zagora (Fr.) (profile), who finished second by 4 1/2 lengths. Dade Babe ended up fourth.
 
"She was galloping along, and I just let her relax, find her stride," Rosario said after the race. "Turning for home, I had a lot of horse. When I asked her, she tried to get in a little bit. I hit her left handed and she tried to get out a little bit. But she was fine. She did the job really easy."
 
Harmonious paid $7.00, $4.40 and $2.80 for the win, with Zagora returning $5.20 and $3.40. Evening Jewel paid $2.60 for the show. The $2 exacta paid $25.40 and the $2 trifecta paid $123.00.
 
So, now the question is – will Harmonious run in this year's Breeders' Cup?
 
"That's a discussion we'll have with (co-owner) Mr. (Marty) Wygod," Shirreffs said about that possible option.
 
Either way, if she stays health, Harmonious is definitely a filly to contend with in the future.

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Harmonious, with Joel Rosario riding, dominates field to win QEII Challenge Cup at Keeneland.
Harmonious, with Joel Rosario riding, dominates field to win QEII Challenge Cup at Keeneland.
Photo credit: 
(Photos by Keeneland/Coady Photography)

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Rick Capone is a freelance writer / photographer living in Georgetown, Ky., a small town just north of Lexington, Ky., the "Horse Capital of the World." Previously, he was the editor of Coaching Volleyball magazine for the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Since moving to Kentucky, his...

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