Walsh stays hot with Lush Lips in Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Trainer Brendan Walsh is having a Keeneland fall meet to remember.

After saddling Gin Gin and Imaginationthelady to upset wins in the Spinster (G1) and Jessamine (G2), respectively, on opening weekend, Walsh struck again Saturday in the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) with Lush Lips, who prevailed at 8-1 in a field of eight three-year-old fillies.

Under Tyler Gaffalione, Lush Lips broke sharply from post 1 and soon settled into an ideal stalking trip behind Opulent Restraint. The pair ran one-two until Lush Lips took over, passing the eighth pole. With no serious challenge from the back, Lush Lips drove home a 1 1/4-length winner.

"Brendan and his team have done a fabulous job teaching her to rate and relax. She's come a long way this year," Gaffalione said.

Lush Lips covered nine furlongs over the good turf in 1:48.01 and paid $19.22. She races for Medallion Racing and Parkland Thoroughbreds.

The previously undefeated Laurelin rallied for second, three parts of a length ahead of Opulent Restraint. Fionn, the 3-2 favorite, trailed most of the way and finished a belated fourth, 2 3/4 lengths adrift of Opulent Restraint.

The order of finish was rounded out by Candy Quest, Daisy Flyer, Simmering, and Destino d'Oro.

This was the fourth win from 10 starts for Lush Lips, who commenced her career in Ireland last season with Donnacha O'Brien. The filly placed once in two starts prior to importation.

Transferred to Walsh after going unplaced once at Kentucky Downs, Lush Lips kicked off her sophomore season with back-to-back wins at Gulfstream in a maiden and an allowance. She then finished second to division leader Nitrogen in both the Florida Oaks (G3) and Edgewood (G2).

Lush Lips was an easy winner of the Tepin S. at Churchill Downs in late June, and then closed fast to finish a half-length second in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her final tune-up for the Queen Elizabeth II.

Bred in England by the Pocock Family, Lush Lips is by Ten Sovereigns and out of Lamyaa, an Arcano half-sister to German sprint champion Electric Beat.