2021 Flower Bowl Stakes Quick Picks
This year, the $600,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G1) for older fillies and mares gets a new look. Previously contested over the Belmont Park lawn at 1 1/4 miles, the race will be held at Saratoga this year at 1 3/8 miles. The Flower Bowl is a 2021 Breeders’ Cup Challenge contest, and the winner receives a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1).
Carded as race 12, seven rivals will line up over the firm turf, and post time is 6:11 PM ET.
Three rivals, My Sister Nat, La Signare, and Lovely Lucky, return for another shot to win this year’s Flower Bowl. Of the trio, only My Sister Nat hit the board in the 2020 Flower Bowl.
#3 War Like Goddess (4-5)
War Like Goddess will renew her budding rivalry with My Sister Nat. In their last start, the Glens Falls Stakes (G2) in July, My Sister Nat was no match for War Like Goddess, finishing second by 3 1/4 lengths. War Like Goddess’ Her speed figures have improved in each start this year, and the Bill Mott trainee is the one to beat. Win Contender.
#1 La Signare (5-1)
Fifth in last year’s Flower Bowl, La Signare has hit the board in her three of four starts in 2021, all Grade 1 events. Last time out, the Brendan Walsh trainee overcame traffic trouble in the Diana Stakes (G1), gaining ground late to finish third. This is the third time in a row that La Signare drew the rail position. She’s entirely capable of winning the race with a good trip. Win contender.
#4 My Sister Nat (5-1)
My Sister Nat suffered a heartbreaking defeat by a head in last year’s Flower Bowl. Dating back to 2019, the Chad Brown trainee was never worse than third in six starts; however, she suffered a 6 3/4 length drubbing in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf and hasn’t regained her previous form and is seeking her first victory of the year. Exotics.
#6 Great Island (4-1)
Great Island takes on Grade 1 company after winning the Matchmaker Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. She made a decisive late run to win by a half-length, earning a career-best Brisnet speed figure of 91. However, the Chad Brown trainee has a win/lose cycle dating to last December, so that, combined with a jump in speed figure, maybe a sign that she’ll regress. Exotics.
#7 Coastana (15-1)
The lightly raced but improving Coastana has won or placed in four of five starts but has never faced graded stakes company. In her Flower Bowl prep, she dominated allowance class runners by 1 1/4-lengths with a last-to-first move. On the negative side, the Cherie DeVaux trainee has a win/lose cycle, and Coastana’s speed figures are low. Still, she’s worth a longshot look to hit the board. Exotics.
#2 American Bridge (12-1)
American Bridge ships in from Italy, where she captured the 1 1/4 mile Premio Del Giubileo (G3). European shippers have been blanked in eight starts over the Saratoga turf this meet. American Bridge is a one-run closer and used to Europe’s softer early fractions. Toss.
#5 Lovely Lucky (5-1)
Lovely Lucky was last year’s Flower Bowl pacesetter, but she finished an undistinguished seventh, unable to hold off late-charging rivals. This year, she has been unsuccessful in three graded starts. The Tom Albertrani trainee will be the lone speed again this year, and the result will likely be the same. Toss.
Flower Bowl Stakes Analysis
War Like Goddess towers over the Flower Bowl field, despite having never faced Grade 1 competition. However, none of her rivals have won at that level, either. My Sister Nat came closest, missing last year’s Flower Bowl victory by a head, but she was no match for War Like Goddess when they met.
- #3 War Like Goddess (4-5)
- #6 Great Island (4-1)
- #7 Coastana (15-1)
- #4 My Sister Nat (5-1)
