Lady Eli finishes preparations for Flower Bowl

ELMONT, N.Y. – Though trainer Chad Brown doesn’t believe Lady Eli is particularly fond of soft turf, she definitely seemed to handle it well Monday at Belmont Park, where she worked a half-mile in 48.26 seconds in preparation for Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl.

Lady Eli worked outside of Beach Patrol and got her final three furlongs in 35.51 seconds.

“I thought she really worked well today,” Brown said. “She seems to be training extremely well. She’s ready to go for Saturday.”

Brown believes Lady Eli has improved from a fitness standpoint after suffering her first career defeat to Strike Charmer in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa.

Brown will also run Beverly D. winner Sea Calisi in the Flower Bowl. On Monday, Sea Calisi worked a slow half-mile in 51.10 seconds in company with the 4-year-old colt Tombelaine.

“Sea Calisi went a little easier, which is fine,” Brown said. “She’s a very small filly who doesn’t need a lot of training. I thought she was moving extremely well, though, looked very happy out there.”

Others pointing to the Flower Bowl include Itsonlyactingdad, Sentiero Italia, Strike Charmer, the European shipper Ame Bleue, and possibly Suffused.