Soggy Turf Expected in Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland

Personal Diary is the 7/2 morning line favorite for trainer Victoria Oliver after unleashing a furious rally in her last start to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks by nearly three lengths.  Jockey Corey Nakatani was aboard for the first time in that start, and makes the trip to Kentucky with Personal Diary in search of another grade 1 victory.  With steady rain during the latter part of the week in Lexington, the turf course should have plenty of give in it – a condition which normally favors front-running horses. 

Crown Queen a logical pick in Queen Elizabeth

Crown Queen (4/1 ML) showed the ability to stay close to the early fractions in winning the Grade 2 Lake Placid for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott August 16 at Keeneland.  She enters the Queen Elizabeth on a three race win streak and will once again get the services of jockey John Velazquez who guided her to victory in her last start.  Crown Queen has been working forwardly, including a bullet four furlong move September 26 at Saratoga. 

Ball Dancing makes second U.S start  

Ball Dancing (9/2 ML) ran huge in her American debut to win the Grade 2 Sands Point for trainer Chad Brown.  The daughter of Exchange Rate had raced exclusively in France before that effort and is another filly yhat would benefit from a strong pace up front.