Heavily favored Excelebration overcame some traffic issues to win the $1,550,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO (Eng-I) in dominating fashion.
With Joseph O'Brien aboard, Excelebration was content to settle back in fourth early on as Elusive Kate led the way over Side Glance and Cityscape. Most Improved, Carlton House, Indomito, and Sovereign Debt were at the rear of the field.
Inside the final four hundred meters, Cityscape moved up to challenge Elusive Kate for the lead as Side Glance gave way in between horses. This left an opening through which Excelebration quickly darted, and from there, the race was over. With brilliant turn-of-foot, Excelebration drew off powerfully to win by three lengths while stopping the clock for a mile on soft turf in 1:42.33 seconds.
Cityscape finished second, 3 1/4 lengths clear of Elusive Kate. Carlton House, Sovereign Debt, Side Glance, Indomito, and Most Improved completed the order of finish.
The winner is trained by Aidan O'Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor. A four-year-old son of Exceed and Excel out of the Indian Ridge mare Sun Shower, Excelebration's next start may come in the $2,000,000 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park on November 3rd.
-Keelerman
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