Gaines Hoping Script Flips In Closing Remarks' Favor In Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented By Dixiana

The comment lines in the past performances for Harris Farms’ homebred Closing Remarks read like something from a Stephen King novel.

“Waited” … “Clipped heels” … “Stumbled start” … “Brushed rival” …

Closing Remarks brings a 6-1-4-1 record in 2021 into Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana in search of her first graded stakes victory.

“If you watch the films of her races, it is evident,” Gaines texted, referring to the troubled trips that cost Closing Remarks a major stakes score.

Second in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her most recent start, Closing Remarks arrived at Keeneland Wednesday evening and backtracked once around the main track Thursday morning.

As with King’s mysteries, there is usually a new wrinkle waiting on the next page. For Closing Remarks, that wrinkle could be the weather forecast for Lexington the next two days.

Rain is predicted to begin Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday morning.

“Soft turf! She has never seen such!” Gaines texted.