Given an outsider's chance in a deep nine-horse field for Saturday's Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, Mission of Joy easily outran her odds.

A satisfying renewal of $600,000 Keeneland standard for 3yo fillies, won by Mawj, included a first Gr1-placing for the Sam-Son Farm-bred by Kitten's Joy.

Already a dual Gr3 winner this season, Mission of Joy produced a bid lasting nearly the length of the stretch as Mawj held firm on the lead. Surpassed late by stretch-running Lindy for 2nd, the Graham Motion trainee stayed on for 3rd, a length behind the English 1,000 Guineas winner.

Mission of Joy is out of Smart Mission (Smart Strike) & cost $32,000 at Fasig-Tipton's 2021 October Yearling Sale, which begins anew in Lexington on Monday.

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