Luster targets Grade 1 victory in Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Luster, the Ontario-bred winner of the King's Plate, is set to compete in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland. Following a dominant performance in the King's Plate on August 15, Luster enters the race with a record of 6-5-0-1 and seeks to become only the 10th King's Plate winner to secure a subsequent Grade 1 victory.

The field includes several notable competitors. Tam Tam, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, will face rivals such as Faithful Departed and Storm's Wake. Additionally, the race features international talent, including Irish-bred Kensington Lane, who won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks at Saratoga, and French runner Braida, who is making her United States debut.

Luster is trained by Josie Carroll and will be ridden by jockey John Velazquez. While the transition from the synthetic Tapeta surface used in the King's Plate to the Keeneland turf is a factor, Luster has previously won at the course.