Betting With, and Against, McKulick in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Seven sophomore fillies will contest the prestigious $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. The grassy affair is run at nine furlongs and is led by Grade 1 heroine #6 McKulick (1-1). Trained by Chad Brown, the consistently good bay has won or placed in all eight lifetime tries to date, led by a tally in the Belmont Oaks (G1) in July.

The daughter of Frankel has proven to be equally effective from distances ranging from 1 1/16 miles to 1 3/8 miles, and I feel that nine panels will be a perfect fit for the English-bred. Purchased for $245,000 as a yearling, McKulick enters off a score in the Jockey Club Oaks (G3) and will be fit and ready with Irad Ortiz Jr. retaining the mount.

#5 Bellabel (5-1) ships in from California and rates an obvious chance following a trio of very good efforts since ariving from Europe. The Phil D’Amato pupil was a dominant winner in both the Blue Norther S. and San Clemente S. (G2) in her first pair of U. S. endeavors, and then came home a clear runner-up behind the dynamic Spendarella in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) last time out.

The Irish-bred daughter of Belardo has improved her Brisnet Speed figure in two straight, and I expect her to go to the front soon after the start in a mostly paceless affair. Umberto Rispoli will be in the stirrups atop the wire-to-wire threat.

Irish import #7 Paris Peacock (10-1) has won two races in succession, including a Grade 3 victory most recently, and the daughter of Muhaarar has never been better for conditioner Jessica Harrington. The Glen Hill Farm color bearer has performed well over turf with give in it in the past, so she will move up if there is some moisture in the ground on Saturday. Florent Geroux takes the reins.

McKulkick – With

• $20 exacta 6 with 5 ($20)
• $10 trifecta key 6 with 5,7 ($20)
• $1 superfecta 6 with 5,7 with 2,5,7 with all ($16)

McKulick – Against

• $40 win #5 Bellabel ($40)
• $2 trifecta 5 with 6 with all ($10)