Tipsheet: The 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

A superb cast of 11 three-year-old fillies will jaunt 1 1/8 miles over the Keeneland lawn in Saturday’s $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1). 

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Picks

• #2 Luster
• #4 Faithful Departed
• #3 Tam Tam
• #6 Braida

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Wagers

• $20 win #2 Luster
• $3 exacta key box 2 with 3,4,6
• $.20-cent superfecta 2 with 3,4,6 with 3,4,6,9 with all

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Contenders

#1 HAUTE DIVA (30-1): Talented sort from the Biancone barn made a belated run in the Beverly D. (G2) when facing her elders last time and is better suited to this spot. The two-time stakes heroine will save ground early and make one run late with Keith Asmussen in the irons. 

#2 LUSTER (5-2): Canadian superstar comes off a dynamic tally in the King’s Plate S. for Josie Carroll and gets top billing in the deep field. The ultra-talented daughter of Knicks Go was a daylight winner on this grass surface in her lone local experience and comes in fresh with steady morning drills for her return to Keeneland. John Velazquez will ride. 

#3 TAM TAM (4-1): Classy Del Mar Oaks (G1) heroine has been excellent since moving to the sod for conditioner Phil Bauer. The Medaglia d’Oro sophomore has never been better in advance of her local bow and will be forwardly placed throughout, with Junior Alvarado retaining the ride. 

#4 FAITHFUL DEPARTED (7-2): Grade 3 victress continues her run of good form in preparation for this affair and could be moving best of all inside the final furlong. The Yoshida filly comes off runner-up results in the Belmont Oaks (G1) and Saratoga Oaks (G2) and rates a big chance with any improvement beneath Jose Ortiz. 

#5 TURNER’S CHARM (20-1): Brendan Walsh pupil comes off a third in the Dueling Grounds Oaks (G3) in her latest venture and has some exotics appeal at a big price on Saturday. The improving daughter of Not This Time will be doing her best work late with Ben Curtis in the stirrups. 

#6 BRAIDA (8-1): European import from the mighty Graffard shedrow is three-for-four in 2026 and has to be given respect for a top outfit. The Mehmas three-year-old will likely appreciate the added distance in her first try at nine panels, and it’s a positive that Mickael Barzalona comes in to ride the win threat. 

#7 STORM’S WAKE (10-1): Brian Lynch is a Grade 2 winner from one prior run at Keeneland and comes off a game tally at Colonial Downs last time out. The Oscar Performance sophomore has been honest leading up to this tilt, but she will need a lifetime best to challenge this stout cast late with Gaffalione on board. 

#8 LOOKIN AT DIAMOND (20-1): Sneaky top-three presence rallied to be a clear second in the Del Mar Oaks behind an average tempo in her nine-furlong debut last time and will be closing well in a field with some pace in it. The Lookin At Lucky homebred will be a healthy number with Julien Leparoux in to retain the mount. 

#9 KENSINGTON LANE (8-1): The Chestnut filly blitzed her foes on the front end in the Belmont Oaks (G1) in her stateside debut prior to checking in third in the Del Mar Oaks. The expected pacesetter will make her second run since arriving in Phil D’Amato's barn, and she will be dangerous if left alone on the front end with Joel Rosario in the silks. 

#10 DEEP LEARNING (12-1): Consistently good stakes heroine from the barn of the always-dangerous Chad Brown has never run a bad race and can’t be dismissed for an expert outfit. The Cairo Prince three-year-old could peak in her third 2026 run with fine turf pilot Flavien Prat in the irons. 

#11 SOLOIST (20-1): McPeek pupil has improved her Brisnet Speed rating each run this season and will also have Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the stirrups. The Into Mischief filly has the tactical speed to overcome being drawn widest of all, and she will be in range late to grab a share at a price.