Flower Bowl

A competitive field of nine turf distaffers will line up in Saturday’s
$750,000 Flower Bowl Invitational (G1) to go 10 furlongs over Belmont Park’s
inner turf on its Breeders’ Cup Preview Day. Included in the field are
six Grade/Group 1 winners and our top choice is among that elite group.

It didn’t take long for ANGARA (GB) (Alzao) to acclimate herself to the U.S.
turf when she shipped over earlier this year. She dropped her first two starts,
throwing up nice numbers in both, before breaking through with an
optional-claiming win at Keeneland in mid-April. A victory in the Bewitch S.
(G3) followed and the Patrick Biancone trainee proceeded to earn placings in the
Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) and the Diana S. (G1). In mid-August, Angara finally
earned that elusive Grade 1 score when coming with a furious rally to overhaul
the late-running queen herself, Megahertz (GB) (Pivotal), to post a neck win in
the Beverly D. S. (G1). The bay four-year-old miss garnered a career-best 103
BRIS Speed rating for that one, then finished a good fifth when taking on the
boys last out in the Man o’ War S. (G1). Joe Bravo has the call on Saturday, and
we think the two will end up proving best in their first race together.

MELHOR AINDA (Pulpit) owns only six lifetime starts, but has made each one
count. The Bobby Frankel charge scored in her first four starts before
finishing second in the American Invitational Oaks (G1) while earning a 104
Speed figure. She took on her elders for the first time in the Beverly D. last
out, and was just a half-length back of the winner while coming in third. The
bay lass was blocked throughout the stretch in that one and clear running room
on Saturday could place her in the winner’s circle at the end. John Velazquez
retains the mount.

WONDER AGAIN (Silver Hawk) also ran in the Beverly D. in her last one, coming
four wide in the stretch to cross under the line in fourth. She posted a stellar
114 BRIS Late Pace rating for her game late run as well as a 102 Speed rating.
The James Toner-trained six-year-old, heroine of last season’s Diana, has yet to
earn a win this year from three starts, but has been knocking on the door in
each race. The bay mare could finally get the job done here under Edgar Prado
before going on to improve on her third-place finish in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

SAND SPRINGS (Dynaformer) hasn’t raced in more than two months, but that
start came as a win in the Diana, her third victory from her past four starts.
The dark bay five-year-old finished ahead of our top pick in that event and
posted a nice five-furlong move in 1:00 4/5 to prepare for this one. She’ll be
dangerous in the exotics under Jerry Bailey. FILM MAKER (Dynaformer) was second
in the Filly & Mare Turf and opened up her five-year-old season with a win in
the Gallorette H. (G3). She’s been close in her other three starts as well, most
recently ran just a neck back in the Glens Falls H. (G3). The Graham H.
Motion-trained dark bay could make a run for the win.

SUNDROP (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) made her U.S. debut last out in the Beverly
D., running fifth. A multiple Group 1-placer in England, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained
four-year-old seemed to like the extra distance in her one U.S. race and might
challenge in the top three while stretching out even farther here. LUNE D’OR
(Fr) (Green Tune) is looking for her first win since taking the Premio Lydia
Tesio (Ity-G1) last year and will be making her U.S. bow in this spot. That
particular win came at Saturday’s 10-furlong distance and the Richard Gibson
trainee will be getting Lasix for the first time. She could earn part.

RISKAVERSE (Dyanformer) is a tough competitor, but hasn’t been able to regain
her 2004 form in three starts this year. We’ll let her beat us. SECRET CHARM
(Ire) (Green Desert) is taking a step up in class here and might not be able to
challenge.