Peter Brant's Gina Romantica drove between front-running rivals in the stretch and drew clear to win the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Saturday at Keeneland.
The 3-year-old Into Mischief filly, ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown, won by 1 ¾ lengths and finished the 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.20 on firm turf while earning her victory at the top level. She returned $11.06.
Gina Romantica's stablemate McKulick, the 4-5 favorite, was second, and Bellabel was third, a neck back.
The victory is the fifth in the race for Brown, who previously won with Dayatthespa (2012), Rushing Fall (2018), Cambier Parc (2019) and Shantisara (IRE) in 2021 with Prat riding the latter.
Brown has won 40 stakes at Keeneland.
Brown's 1-2 result was his second Grade 1 exacta of the Fall Meet after In Italian and Regal Glory formed the exacta in last Saturday's First Lady (G1).
Paris Peacock led the field of six through fractions of :23.66, :48.22 and 1:12.83 with Bellabel in closest pursuit and Gina Romantica running next to the rail and McKulick in the three path running third and fourth.
The leaders were unchanged entering the stretch when Prat tipped Gina Romantica off the rail, shot between Paris Peacock and Bellabel, went to the front at the eighth pole and moved clear for the victory.
“She broke really well,” Prat said. “I actually was OK to make the lead, but the pace was fast so I got myself tucked in. She relaxed well and really kicked on well when it was time to make a move. (I knew it was time to make a move) once I got the gap (at the top of the stretch). Turning for home I got a good gap and squeezed on in and she responded really well.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. said McKulick had a perfect trip and he had no excuses.
“She broke good,” he said. “I got a perfect spot on the backside. …The other filly (Gina Romantica) was better today. She cut the corner and everything opened up for her. She was there and gave a good turn of foot.”
Gina Romantica was second in the Pebbles (G3) Sept. 18 at the Belmont at the Big A meet in her previous start and won her grass debut in the listed Riskaverse Stakes Aug. 25 at Saratoga in her race prior to the Pebbles.
Overall, Gina Romantica has a 4-1-0 record from seven career starts. She was sold to BSW/Crow for $1,025,000 out of breeders Carrie and Craig Brogden's Machmer Hall Sales consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Her dam is the Unbridled's Song mare Special Me.
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