An eager Mawj pulled Oisin Murphy to the lead early in the Queen Elizebeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland and never gave up her position, holding off a late charge from Lindy to win the 1 1/8-mile turf event by a half-length.
Mission of Joy and Elusive Princess , who both were close up throughout, held on for third and fourth, respectively.
The QEII was Mawj’s first start in the United States. In May the 3-year-old Exceed And Excel (AUS) filly, owned by Godolphin, won the One Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) at Newmarket.
The final time was 1:48.06 over a course rated “good.”
It was the first Keeneland stakes score for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
Mawj paid $4.64 to win as the betting favorite.
This story will be updated.
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