As much as the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana is a Grade 1 stakes, it is typically not a steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup because it is restricted to 3-year-old fillies just three weeks before the World Championships and its 1/8-mile distance. But, with the quality of the fillies it attracts, don’t be surprised if some of the fillies in the field Oct. 11 at Keeneland become some of the stars of the female turf division in 2026.

1. Lush Lips: Rallied for second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks Presented by Keeneland Sales. Has finished first or second in her last six starts and should be a major factor from the rail.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh

2. Laurelin: Can’t knock anything she’s done. She’s a perfect 5-for-5 and, though this will be her first try in a Grade 1 stakes, she beat a good enough field in the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes to be the top choice here.

JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Graham Motion

3. Simmering: European shipper arrives off a third in a Group 3 stakes in France. Was third in the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket in May then tossed in two clunkers in Group 1 company. Could be a threat on her best effort.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Ollie Sangster

4. Daisy Flyer: Had some trouble in the stretch of the 1 5/16-mile Blackwood Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes and finished 11^th. This distance should suit her better and she turned in two solid efforts prior to that. Definitely worth a look.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Rusty Arnold

5. Opulent Restraint: Was third as the favorite in the Saratoga Oaks when she could not fend off Laurelin’s late bid. Was also third in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes and should be one of the main threats.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Chad Brown

6. Candy Quest: Rallied from 11^th to reach the front in the Dueling Grounds Oaks but could not fend off a late rush by Fionn. The shorter, 1 1/8-mile distance here should be more to her liking.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Mark Casse

7. Destino d’Oro: Didn’t fire and finished sixth as the odds-on favorite in the Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational. Gets a positive rider switch to Irad Ortiz Jr., which could lead to a bounce-back effort.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Brad Cox

8. Will Then: Is winless in three 2025 starts in graded stakes and faces a tough task here.

JOCKEY: Frankie Dettori; TRAINER: Jonathan Thomas

Fionn wins Regret Stakes in May. (Coady Media)

9. Fionn: Is in a great form for trainer Brad Cox. Rallied from 10^th to win the 1 5/16-mile Dueling Grounds Oaks and won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks over the highly regarded Nitrogen at this distance before that. Should be right there at the finish again.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox

THE PICK: Laurelin

LIVE LONGSHOT: Candy Quest

SUPERFECTA: 2-9-5-1