Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Soprano (IRE) has been keeping company with the top 3-year-old fillies in Europe. If the company she keeps translates to North America, the runner, who is trained by George Boughey, looms as a major player in Saturday’s $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana.

Third behind four-time Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna (IRE) and two-time Group 1 winner Fallen Angel in the Coolmore America Justify Matron (G1) at Leopardstown in Ireland in her most recent start, Soprano arrived in the U.S. on Friday. She spent two days in quarantine at Churchill Downs before coming to Keeneland Sunday.

“This is the main target,” said Charles Eddery, who was aboard Soprano Wednesday morning. “We felt like she would take to American racing, and she likes warmer weather.”

On Wednesday, Eddery took Soprano through the Paddock before jogging around to the starting gate.

“One thing that is different here is the bell at the gate,” Eddery said. “I wanted to get her used to that, and she did very well.”

Saturday’s race at 1⅛ miles will mark the first time Soprano has raced farther than a mile. Eddery said a good performance might prompt the connections to take a look at the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at 1⅜ miles at Del Mar on Nov. 2.