Well, let’s try and turn it around. Yesterday didn’t go how we wanted it to, but let’s see what we can do today. It’s a great Saratoga Saturday as we prepare for two major stakes races, our first being the G2 Flowerbowl Stakes. War Like Goddes opens up as the program favorite at 2-5 odds for the Flowerbowl Stakes and looks to win over a field of 7.
So here are your second bettors' guides for this weekend at the Spa, with Horse Racing Writer Emmitt Davis.
Capital Structure
Capital Structure opens the program in the first spot at the starting gate at a high 15-1 odds. The four-year-old Chad Brown trainee has had two outings this year, with one first-place finish and a fourth-place finish at Belmont and Saratoga. Now he raced strongly in his last outing here in Saratoga, finishing first with a speed figure of 99 but slowed down in his most recent workouts. It may be worth noting that before taking a bet on this horse.
Flanigan’s Cove
The first of two fillies in the field is Flanigan’s Cove. She comes into the Flowerbowl at 12-1 with a most recent fourth place finish in the G2 Glen Falls Stakes at the Spa. Flanigan’s Cove has super high-speed figures, with her last recorded one at 109. Her recent workout was four furlongs in 49.43 but went 5 furlongs in 1.02.24. A horse to consider in the Flowerbowl Stakes in your exotics.
Virginia Joy
The second of three Chad Brown Trainees, Virginia Joy, enters the Flowerbowl at 7-2 odds. Virginia Joy is one id consider winning the Flower Bowl as I’ve been impressed by him this year. Most recently, he ran in the G2 Glenn Falls Stakes, placing third but has two stakes wins this year. He did great in the G2 Sheepshead Bay Stakes, finishing first, and has had some pretty good workouts going five furlongs in 1.02.74. However, the speed figures on this horse are high, with his last at 111 in the Glenn Falls Stakes, where he finished third. Nevertheless, I like the price on him at 7-2, so I highly consider him for the win in this one.
War Like Goddess
William Mott’s Flowerbowl Favorite War Like Goddess looks to keep the winning streak going in his undefeated year. Right off the bat War Like Goddess has already competed against most of the field, including the second favorite, Virginia Joy, in the Glenn Falls Stakes, where he won with a 112-speed figure. In addition, he improved from 51.05 to four furlongs in 50 flats, which I'd take into account as he went into the Glenn Falls with a four-furlong time of 51.05. My final thoughts on War Like Goddess is he’s an intelligent horse to take all the way would add him in all my bet slips for this year's Flower Bowl Stakes.
Costana
The Longshot Coastana enters the program at 30-1 odds. As I say, every time, don’t look down on the long shots as here at the Spa; upsets happen often. Now Coastana only had one start this year, finishing in fourth in an Allowance Optional Claiming here in Saratoga this last July, which draws most away from him. However, his previous workout improved as he went four in 50.45, besting the 51.12 he put up. I wouldn’t take Coastana but throw him in for a high payout if you want to take the risk.
Temple City Terror
A great named horse Temple City Terror enters the Flowerbowl at 8-1 odds following his second-place finish in the Glenn Falls Stakes. So we got the one, two, three, and four in the Glenn Falls Stakes battling it out here at the Flowerbowl. Superfecta fans could box that finishing order, and I’d say it’s a good idea. Now Temple City Terror’s latest workout was four furlongs in 49.26, which was faster than War on Goddess. The price at 8-1 doesn't drive me away from this one, as I think he has a powerful shot at besting the field and winning the Flowerbowl.
Marvelous Maude
The final Fillie and Chad Brown trainee, Marvelous Maude, enters the Flowerbowl at 20-1 odds. The four-year-old comes into the Flowerbowl fresh off two Allowance wins, one at Belmont and one here in Saratoga. Now compared to everyone else, her speed figures are low at 93 and 95 for those races, which makes me steer clear from this one. However, she had an intense workout going four furlongs on the dirt in 50.51.
Final Thoughts
So there is your Flowerbowl Preview presented by Horse Racing Contributor Emmitt Davis. My bets for the Flowerbowl are as follows.
WPS- Temple City Terror
PS- War Like Goddess
S- Flanagin's Cove
Quiniela 6-4 (Box)
Trifecta- 6-4-2 (Box)
Superfecta 6-4-2-3 (Box)
Best of luck to everyone betting on the Flowerbowl. Hopefully, we can have a much better day compared to Friday. Make sure to catch all the action in FS2 and read our Jockey Gold Cup Preview. Finally, for more horse racing coverage, including updates, please follow Twitter @davis_edavis24!
Good Luck!