Favored Cambier Parc Wins Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End

OXO Equine’s Cambier Parc took the lead out of the gate and then repelled a bid in the final furlong from Castle Lady (IRE) to win the 36^th running of the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane’s End (G1) for 3-year-old fillies by a length before a crowd of 24,133 on a picture perfect Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by John Velazquez, Cambier Parc covered the 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course in 1:49.54.

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).

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.

Racing continues Sunday with a nine-race program that begins at 1:05 p.m. ET.