Megahertz Will Test Speed on Soggy Turf

Two weeks before the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland is hosting a Breeders’ Cup-quality race today.

The best 3-year-old turf fillies in the country--and a talented European shipper--will get together in the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at 1 1/8 miles.

Certain to be run on a soggy course after consecutive days of rain in Lexington, the Queen Elizabeth drew nine entrants, topped by Megahertz and Little Treasure from California, Wonder Again from New York and Zenda from Europe.

Trained by Bobby Frankel for owner Michael Bello, Megahertz won her first five starts in the U.S. at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park before finishing second in the Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 24. Alex Solis will ride the English-bred from the outside post.

Little Treasure is two of two since coming to this country for a partnership that includes Sid Port. Trained by Laura De Seroux, she won the San Clemente at Del Mar and the Pucker Up at Arlington Park. Kent Desormeaux has the call.

After losing the first three starts of her life, Wonder Again has won four in a row on the turf for trainer Jim Toner and owner-breeders John and Joan Phillips. Edgar Prado will ride the daughter of Silver Hawk.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by John Gosden, Zenda is a Group I winner in France who will be racing on Lasix for the first time.

The rest of the field, from the inside out, includes Riskaverse, Showlady, Distant Valley, Alozaina and Lush Soldier.

Race of the day: Rolly Polly, who is a stakes winner at the distance, heads a full field of 12 in today’s feature at Santa Anita, the $100,000 Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Who’s hot: Scoop Of Ice. The 8-year-old gelding has won three of his last four starts and will try for his 12th career victory in today’s eighth at Santa Anita.

Who’s not: Thunder Twice. The 5-year-old gelding, who will be a longshot in today’s 10th at Santa Anita, is winless is 38.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Komistar and Albatros in the second, singling Glitteringmischief in the third and using The Griff, R Meadow Luck and La Bandera in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/20. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.80/$104.40. Total money bet: $136.