Horse Racing Odds: 2024 QEll Challenge Cup

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Horse Racing Odds and Long-Shot Picks

2024 QEII Challenge Cup

The Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup is set to take place at Keeneland on Saturday, and bettors are eyeing it as a competitive affair. While some may view this as a three-horse race, the field offers more depth, which could provide value for sharp bettors.

With 10 fillies entered, the QEII Challenge Cup covers 1 1/8 miles on the turf, and the race will test the class and stamina of these talented 3-year-old fillies. 

Key Contenders: She Feels Pretty, Soprano, and Candala

She Feels Pretty is the morning-line favorite at 7-2. She comes into this race following a couple of solid graded-stakes placings, including a win three starts back in the Hilltop Stakes. Although she burned bettors at short odds in her last two starts, her overall form suggests she can bounce back here. 

However, those looking for more value in their Saratoga betting strategy may hesitate to take her at these odds, given that she’s failed to deliver as the favorite in recent races.

The 4-1 second choice, Soprano, represents a strong international contender. She comes off a near-miss in the Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown and brings a solid Brisnet class rating into the QEII. 

Earlier this year, Soprano won a Group 3 at Royal Ascot, an accomplishment that stands out against this field. Her ability to handle high-class competition makes her a serious threat, and bettors looking for more value in the horse racing odds may lean toward her as the better player.

Candala, at 5-1, adds international flair and is likely to attract money due to her overseas performances. However, the outside post position (10) could be more favorable at Keeneland, where horses breaking from wide positions have a low success rate in nine-furlong turf races. 

Additionally, Candala has only raced on soft ground, which could be a disadvantage if conditions are firm on Saturday.

Potential Value Plays

Beyond the top three favorites, the QEII Challenge Cup offers attractive long-shot options. Grayosh, who sits at 9-1, defeated She Feels Pretty in their last meeting, but it’s worth noting she had an ideal trip from the rail in that race. In this event, she breaks from post 9 in a field of 10, a much more challenging scenario. 

Bettors interested in offtrack betting might see Grayosh as an intriguing value play, especially if she can replicate her recent success.

Another horse that could fly under the radar is Waves of Mischief, listed at 12-1. While she hasn’t garnered much attention leading up to the race, she has consistently shown solid efforts and could surprise if the pace scenario unfolds in her favor. 

Pounce at 15-1 and Caitlinhergrtness at 16-1 are also worth considering for those seeking a long shot to include in their exotics.

Betting Strategy: Finding the Value

From a betting perspective, this race presents multiple avenues to find value. The consensus is that She Feels Pretty and Soprano are the two most likely winners, and including them in multi-race bets is a safe option. 

However, Soprano may offer better value as a single in a multi-race wager for those looking to go deeper due to her solid international form and competitive Brisnet class ratings. 

For vertical wagers, bettors should focus on whichever horse offers the best odds between She Feels Pretty and Soprano while keeping an eye on potential overlays in the 10-1 to 15-1 range. Long-shots like Grayosh or Waves of Mischief could help boost payouts if they manage to hit the board.