Stephanie’s Kitten leads Brown quartet in Flower Bowl
A week ago, trainer Chad Brown finished first and second in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic with Big Blue Kitten and Slumber. He is equally strong in the filly-and-mare turf division, and on Saturday, he could start as many as four runners in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Park.
Brown has won the Flower Bowl in two of the last four years. On Saturday, he will run back the 2014 winner, Stephanie’s Kitten. Stacelita won the race for Brown in 2011.
Brown, 36, also has won two of the last three runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. He finished one-two last year with Dayatthespa and Stephanie’s Kitten. In 2012, he won with Zagora.
The Flower Bowl is a Win and You’re In race for the $2 million BC Filly and Mare Turf, which will be run Oct. 31 at Keeneland at 1 3/16 miles – the shortest distance in its history. Watsdachances, who will start in the Flower Bowl for Brown, already has a fees-paid berth in the race after being placed first Aug. 15 in the Beverly D. Stakes, a race Brown also won with Stacelita in 2011.
There was heavy rain in the New York area Tuesday night, and more precipitation was forecast before Saturday. A field of 10 was entered for the Flower Bowl, including two main-track-only runners. Brown entered five – four for the turf and Rosalind in case the race is switched to the main track.
“With more rain expected this weekend and soft turf likely, I decided to hold Dacita out of the Flower Bowl and added Regardez and Danza Cavallo, both of whom excel on soft ground,” Brown said. “Stephanie’s Kitten and Watsdachances will run as scheduled.”
The Chilean-bred Dacita closed with a rush to win the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga in her U.S. debut. Brown said he now will train her up to the Breeders’ Cup. Stephanie’s Kitten and Watsdachances are scheduled to join her in the gate.
The Brown quartet is likely to face its stiffest challenge from Curvy, a 3-year-old filly who has made nine starts in Britain and Ireland for trainer David Wachman.
Key contenders
Stephanie’s Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-90)
* She might not be quite as explosive as she used to be, but Stephanie’s Kitten is a truly honest performer. She finished third in the Beverly D. but was elevated to second after the first-place finisher, Secret Gesture, came outward and bothered her in deep stretch. She likely would have finished second with a clean path.
“I was relieved to see her turn a corner and round back into form in the Beverly D.,” Brown said. “I think she is back on track.”
Watsdachances (Last 3 Beyers: 95-92-92)
* She nipped Stephanie’s Kitten for second in the Beverly D. and was placed first – even though she was not bothered – when Secret Gesture was disqualified to third.
* Now 5, she is having her best season since 2012, when she finished second in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf.
“Watsdachances is a rare horse,” Brown said. “There have been some gaps, and not every season has been great, but it is a testament to her quality that she has been able to compete at such a high level at ages 2 to 5.”
Curvy (No Beyers)
* She has been facing consistent company. Pleascach, whom she defeated while winning the Group 2 Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot in June, came back to win the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks in August. Covert Love, to whom Curvy was third in the Group 1 Irish Oaks at The Curragh in July, since has finished second, beaten a neck by Pleascach, in the 11-horse Yorkshire Oaks.
* Curvy added blinkers for the Yorkshire Oaks and finished fourth, beaten a half-length, over good to soft ground. She will be first-time Lasix on Saturday.
* She won her 3-year-old debut over soft ground in Ireland, so Saturday’s course condition should not bother her.
Mutatis Mutandis (No Beyers)
* Looks overmatched but was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths for second when fourth behind Jack Hobbs in a Group 3 that was open to males over the synthetic track at Kempton last out. Jack Hobbs has won three races in a row, including two Group 1s at The Curragh, the Irish Derby and Railway Stakes.