Princess a Rose in Flower Bowl

Princess Azula (V) proved that her scintillating win in the John C Mabee Handicap-G1 was no fluke in yesterday's Flower Bowl-G1 where she clashed hooves with multiple graded winner Miz Liz (V) in a two horse duel that ended with the Princess coming up a neck ahead of her outside rival. Liz Miz, winner of the Diana-G1 and the Ballston Handicap-G2, was the strong even money favorite, and rightfully so after her dominating performance in the Diana where she bested some of the top turf females in the country in a resounding stakes record of 1:46.63. She paid $2.60 and $2.30 respectfully. With Princess Azula coming off a surprising loss at Presque Isle in the Masters Stakes-G3 and losing her weight advantage she held in the Mabee, there were definite concerns.

"Liz Miz was coming into the Flower Bowl with few questions to answer other than the extra furlong. On the other hand Princess Azula is something of a late comer to the division. It was a shock to see her in the John C Mabee after her performance in the Princess Rooney. You just don't see a horse instantly jump from dirt sprints to turf routes. She's essentially making a three sixty," stated professional handicapper Jimmy "the Hat", from his table at Santa Anita's Frontrunner Restaurant. Concerning the race, "It was a real slug fest all the way. Either of these fillies could win the Filly and Mare turf. Had Liz Miz been on the inside, she'd likely have won. The Breeder's Cup will determine who comes out with the Eclipse."

Princess Azula, breaking from the one post, took charge early in the event, with Liz Miz quickly taking to her outside. Garret Gomez aboard Azula kept a mild pace and briefly allowed Liz Miz to take the lead. "The Princess likes a fight; she's got lots of heart. I gave the three horse just little ground so she had something to run at. Then bam!" Run they did, with the final quarter in :23 flat.

"The Princess is a real lady. She goes after whatever we throw at her with everything she has," said owner-trainer Troy Racki. "I don't know what happened in the Masters but the track was wet that day and she got a lot of dirt in her face. She's not used to that and I think it really threw her off."

Concerning Princess Azula's next start Racki said, "It really depends on how she comes back in the next couple of days. This was her toughest test yet. She fought fought fought all the way. I'd like to run in the Taylor in two weeks but it’s really up to her." As to the Breeder's Cup in which Princess Azula is both guaranteed a berth in the Filly Sprint and Filly Turf, "Her race today is evidence that she belongs on the turf. Without a doubt. She set a stakes record and bested the top horse of the division."

Indeed the final time for the Flower Bowl-G1 was 1:59.71 and stamps Princess Azula as the likely favorite for the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Turf, barring any significant events in the E. P. Taylor scheduled to be run on October 17th. Princess Azula returned $7.60, $2.90, and $2.50 while Valibert (v) finished third and paid $9.40 to show.