Clement loaded for Filly-Mare Turf

Mauralakana has won her last four starts to become the leading candidate for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 24. She may not have the preparation that trainer Christophe Clements would like in the next few weeks.

Clement wants to start Mauralakana in Saturday's $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park, but is not pleased by the prospect of wet weather and a soft turf course this weekend.

Clement has not ruled out training Mauralakana up to the BC Filly and Mare Turf. A 5-year-old mare, Mauralakana won the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park on Aug. 9, a race that confirmed her status as the division leader.

This is an important weekend in the buildup to the BC Filly and Mare Turf.

On Saturday at Santa Anita, Wait a While, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2006, will be favored to win the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes over 1 1/4 miles on turf, a race she won in 2006. The Yellow Ribbon is run over the same course and distance as the BC Filly and Mare Turf.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Wait a While won the Ballston Spa Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 21. In the Yellow Ribbon, Wait a While must beat BC Filly and Mare Turf hopefuls Black Mamba and Vacare, who is trained by Clement.

On Oct. 3 at Keeneland, the Clement-trained Rutherienne will face Precious Kitten in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes, another key domestic prep.