The trainers of the nine entrants for The Flower Bowl-G1 were kind enough to give their thoughts about their horse(s) in Saturday’s $600.000 contest. Questions are italicized and underlined. Here’s what they had to say:
Charming Moon (Night Rider Stables): How’s she’s doing and how do you think she fits in the race? “Shes a decent filly but i only stuck her in the race because it was seemingly going to be a field of 6 or less. I thought that would have been worth a shot. It would be a positive result if she picked up any earnings whatsoever.”
Envy (Mo Mentum Farm): How’s she’s doing and how do you think she fits in the race? “I honestly have no idea what Envy will do in the Flower Bowl. She’s an incredible mare out of my top broodmare ‘Rook Around’ who has thrown a lot of really great distance turf mares. But, since getting stuck on the lead in last year’s BC F&M Turf and finishing sixth by a length, she hasn’t been as dominant. Envy’s recent ungraded stakes win was against a much softer field than this, but I’m hopeful it will have given her some confidence to regain some of her old form.”
Fashionable (Mb Stables): Your thoughts on giving her another turf try; is it because you feel she is better on the lawn or does it have to do with the other horses in your barn pointing for the Distaff? Also, are you more confident in her ability to get the 11-furlongs as opposed to the mile-and-a-half of the Glenns Falls? “The Glen Falls was a puzzling race for me. Going into that race I had very high hopes in Fashionable showing off her stamina that had allowed her to win multiple GS races 10 furlongs on dirt which is rare for fillies and mares. Unfortunately she ran into a tough Number Nine who we just saw get 2nd in the Sword Dancer. Maybe I’m crazy, but I still felt like the turf route would be a trip she’d relish. She ended up working even faster on turf in prep for this race. The competition is no joke, but I feel she belongs. She’ll change up tactics a bit and hopefully give it a better effort.”
Folsom Tradition (Hippyheart): How’s she’s doing and how do you think she fits in the race? “Well, I bought her to breed, but soon realised that with a few adds changes she was a racer. On that basis, I’m looking at every race as a bonus and we will see what she does. I think her recent runs meant she deserved a shot at the Flower Bowl.”
Forbidden Blush (Smokey Stover): Wanted to get your thoughts on how your horse has bounced out of the Mister D effort. Looks like she has been pretty tough racing against the girls, does that give you extra confidence for this? “She seems to be doing great but the two and a half week turnaround is tighter than I like. She was on fire before her last race. I blame myself with the instruction as she was left with far too much to do against the boys. She is one that gives me confidence every time she runs. I have to do my job right and she will do hers!”
Forever Phooey Party (Night Rider Stables): Wanted to get your thoughts on how you feel she’ll take to the turf and, if she were to win, would you consider another dirt race or will she have another turf prep before the BC? “Her workouts indicate that she will be just as effective on turf as she is on dirt. And I believe the longer the distance the more beneficial for her. If she were to win I believe she will end up staying on turf for the BC mainly because I feel like I already have a strong hand with Laffy Crack in the Distaff. And if she doesn’t run well on turf I’ll just end up running her in the Distaff since she’s already guaranteed a spot winning a qualifier. Had she not secured a spot in Distaff I doubt I’d be taking this turf experiment.”
Intanga Rose (D J C Racing Stables): How’s she’s doing and how do you think she fits in the race? “She is working as good as she ever has and at her age of 4 the choices are limited when and where to run, this race was her next logical spot for BC points and with a firm surface she will be competitive. If the track is off she will be an auto scratch.”
Lillehammer (Invicta Group Llc): How’s she’s doing and how do you think she fits in the race? “She is doing well, but this is new territory in a couple ways. I have made some mistakes with her this year, but she ran well enough in the SJC to give it a go here. I always give a 21 or more day rest to all my runners, but I decided to roll the dice for this chance. She is an underdog and needs her lifetime best, no question, but it’s a horse race and I’ve definitely seen stranger things happen.”
Zalinda (Threshold): Wanted to get your thoughts on how confident you are she can handle the 11-furlongs? “Oh you know me, I expect nothing and hope for everything. I have no idea how she will run, she may win or run last or anywhere in between.”
I am so appreciative of all the contributions from the contestants. Here’s to an exciting renewal of The Flower Bowl-G1!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
