Lady Eli continues comeback in Flower Bowl
ELMONT, N.Y. – Though Lady Eli suffered her first defeat in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga six weeks ago, it was a victory in that she even made it back to the races.
After overcoming lamintis and then having her comeback delayed by tendonitis, Lady Eli ran a gallant second behind longshot Strike Charmer in the Ballston Spa on Aug. 27.
On Saturday, Lady Eli gets a chance to avenge that defeat while earning a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf when she faces Strike Charmer and four others in the Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes at Belmont Park. The Flower Bowl offers a fees-paid berth in the BC Filly and Mare Turf as part of the Win and You’re In initiative.
The last time she raced at Belmont, Lady Eli won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational at the Flower Bowl distance of 1 1/4 miles. But on the way back to her barn, she stepped on a nail, and that led to a well-documented battle with the hoof disease laminitis.
In the Ballston Spa, her first start in 14 months, Lady Eli made an early move into a hot pace and had the lead in midstretch. But she understandably tired late and was passed by Strike Charmer, who pulled off a 27-1 upset.
“I think she got a lot out of that race,” said Chad Brown, the trainer of Lady Eli. “It didn’t unfold quite the way we wanted. She made an early move into a fast pace set by our pacemaker. Nevertheless, she was second-best in the Ballston Spa. I thought the winner ran very well that day. Lady Eli seems to have come out of the race better for it from a fitness standpoint.”
There will be a significant change in the pace scenario for the Flower Bowl as the race lacks early speed. Sentiero Italia, third behind Strike Charmer and Lady Eli in the Ballston Spa, could find herself on the lead for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
Brown also will send out Sea Calisi, the Beverly D. winner, who nearly overcame a slow pace with a good late kick when beaten three-quarters of a length by stablemate Dacita in the Grade 2 New York going 1 1/4 miles here on June 10.
Strike Charmer benefitted from a fast pace in the Ballston Spa and could also be compromised by a lack of pace. She is also trying 1 1/4 miles for the first time.
Trainer Mark Hennig said Strike Charmer is simply better than she’s ever been, something he owes in part to the switch to glue-on shoes earlier this year.
“She’s obviously gotten in the best form of her life, for sure,” Hennig said. “I made some changes with her shoe-wise back in March; that probably helped her a lot. From that point on, she has gotten better and better.”
About the lack of pace, Hennig said: “She’s laid closer when she’s needed to. The main thing is when they kick, you hope [she’s] kicking with them.”
Ame Bleue is the lone European shipper in the field. Last year, she finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Sea Calisi when the two were second and third in a Group 3 stakes at Chantilly.
“She’s better now than last year,” said Maya Zahner, who traveled with Ame Bleue for trainer Andre Fabre. “She’s a very strong filly, and she’s really good this year.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Lady Eli, by Divine Park
Last 3 Beyers: 101-100-91
◗ She is undefeated in three starts at Belmont.
◗ She has overcome slow paces in the past, as demonstrated by her victory in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo over this course as a 2-year-old.
Itsonlyactingdad, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 90-96-94
◗ In her lone try at 1 1/4 miles, she finished second to Lady Eli in the 14-horse Belmont Oaks last fall.
◗ After winning the Grade 3 Matchmaker at Monmouth, she had trouble when seventh in the Grade 3 Glens Falls at Saratoga.
“She lost all chance in the Glens Falls when she was pinched back and got away last and was stuck in behind a paceless race throughout,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She’s run well here at a mile and a quarter before, and I don’t think she’ll mind some cut in the ground.”
Sea Calisi, by Youmzain
Last 3 Beyers: 95-96-95
◗ She is 2 for 3 in the U.S.
◗ Worked a little bit slower than her connections were anticipating on Sunday.