Alterite expected to 'run big' in QE II; Leigh Court faces toughest test

Alterite expected to 'run big' in QE II; Leigh Court faces

toughest test

The Tuesday arrival of Martin S. Schwartz's Alterite at Keeneland to prepare

for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Saturday marked the first

time that Baldo Hernandez, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, had seen her. Based

on his impression, the three-year-old filly is on track to become Brown's second

consecutive QE II winner following Dayatthespa last year.

"I think we're in good shape," said Hernandez, who saddled Kitten Kaboodle to

win Wednesday's Jessamine for Brown, who has remained at his Belmont Park base.

"I think she's going to prove she can run really well."

By Literato, Alterite began her career in France, where she was Group

1-placed and finished sixth to Treve in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) on June

16. Alterite came to the United States and won the Garden City at Belmont on

September 14. Finishing sixth in that race was Grade 1 winner Emollient, who

returned to win the Spinster at Keeneland last Sunday. Earlier on the same day,

Treve won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

John Velazquez, who rode Alterite in the Garden City, will be aboard the

filly in the QE II. Velazquez has two wins in the race, on Perfect Arc in 1995

and Alwajeeha in 2008.

"She's a special filly. She's really nice," Hernandez said about Alterite. "I

think she's going to run big on Saturday."

Schwartz has won six stakes at Keeneland, including two with French-bred

fillies. His Lady of Venice took the 2006 Appalachian, and his Gorella won the

2006 First Lady. Schwartz scored a Grade 1 win here in 2006 when Asi Siempre won

the Spinster.

Leigh Court, on the other hand, is facing the toughest test of her eight-race

career. But the Melnyk Racing Stable colorbearer has successfully navigated

every new challenge sent her way. First start on dirt: win by 3 1/4 lengths.

First start on Polytrack: win by two lengths. First start on turf: win by

three-quarters of a length.

"We liked her from the first time Mr. (Eugene) Melnyk sent her to us,"

trainer Josie Carroll said from Woodbine.

Riding a three-race win streak, Leigh Court won the Ontario Colleen going a

mile in August and in her most recent start won the La Lorgnette by 5 1/4

lengths going 1 1/16 miles on Polytrack.

"I am not sure what her best surface is and I am not sure about her

limitations," Carroll said. "The mile and a sixteenth was a concern the last

time, but she handled it well."

Gary Boulanger, who has ridden Leigh Court in her past four starts, will have

the mount Saturday and break from post position 8.

"It has been a good combination," Carroll said of the pairing of horse and

rider that has produced three wins and a second. "She is growing up and Gary

sits quietly on her and they get along well."

Leigh Court, a daughter of Grand Slam, has put together her win streak in

gate-to-wire fashion and she figures to be the speed of the speed Saturday.

"I don't expect to see her anywhere else," Carroll said. "But she doesn't

have to be on the lead. In her debut she came from out of it and in her second

start she got bumped around and still ran very well. If she does not break well

tomorrow, I would not be overly concerned."

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