LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Favorite Harmonious won the $400,000 Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland by 41/4 lengths over Zagora on Saturday.

The 3-year-old filly, sent off as the 5/2 top choice, sat second for most of the race before overtaking the tiring pace setter, Dade Babe, coming into the stretch.

Harmonious finished in 1:49.14 and paid $7.00, $4.40 and $2.80. Zagora earned $5.20 and $3.40, and Evening Jewel returned $2.60.

"She was galloping along, and I just let her relax and find her stride," said Joel Rosario, Harmonious' jockey. "Turning for home I had a lot of horse. She did the job real easy."

Zagora closed from last to get second, and Evening Jewel was a half-length behind in third. Dade Babe held for fourth.

John Shirreffs, the trainer of undefeated champion mare Zenyatta, conditions Harmonious for Marty and Pam Wygod, and their daughter, Emily.

"She can get hard to handle," said Shirreffs, who was saddling a horse at Keeneland for the first time. "But given time and patience, she's learned to channel it all.

"I always think if you know you have something special, don't risk taking anything away from them until their ready to do it. Just be patient and don't risk anything that might compromise their ultimate ability."

Harmonious won the Grade I American Oaks in her first attempt at stakes company in July. In her final start before the Queen Elizabeth II, Harmonious finished second by half a length to Evening Jewel in the Grade I Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 21.

Shirreffs was noncommittal about whether Harmonious will run in the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs Nov. 5-6. Last year, Shirreffs and the Wygods teamed up to win the Ladies' Classic with Life Is Sweet.