War Like Goddess (English Channel) usually only visits Keeneland once a year, and that visit is solely for the purpose of winning the GIII Bewitch S. The 7-year-old mare won the event in 2022 and 2021 in addition to winning it last year. War Like Goddess made her 2023 debut with a victory in Keeneland's closing-day feature to start a season that saw her defend her titles against the boys in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct. She made her first start of 2024 off a seventh to Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita last November. Additionally, trainer Bill Mott utilised this event as a springboard for her 2022 campaign.
Vergara (Noble Mission {GB}), a 5-year-old who is making her first start of the year after placing third in the GIII Long Island S, is the outside favourite and will likely be the fastest in the field. Though the Graham Motion trainee has run the 1 1/2 miles many times, including starting two races back across the local course, she has not yet found the winner's circle.
Chop Chop (City of Light), the runner-up, GI Darley Alcibiades S., may add some intrigue along the rail. She has not competed on turf since finishing third by a close margin in the Allen Black Cat Lacombe Memorial S. at Fair Grounds in March 2023, but she does enter the race fresh off a strong run over the Tapeta at Turfway, having won two of her previous four races dating to December. Being one of just two 4-year-olds in the field (the other being Cherie DeVaux's Tower Bridge [Street Sense]) gives her an additional advantage over the other competitors.