Zhukova back at Belmont in bid for more Grade 1 glory

Preview: USA, Sunday 9.46pm BST (live on ATR)

Belmont Park: Flower Bowl Stakes (Grade 1)1m2f | turf | 3yo+ fillies and mares

The last time Dermot Weld sent Zhukova (Pat Smullen) to New York, she registered a six-length success in the Grade 1 Man o' War in May.

Five months later, the five-year-old is back at Belmont Park against five fellow females in the $500,000 Flower Bowl, which offers a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf as part of the 'win and you're in' series. "It's nice to have won here before – it gives us confidence," said Weld.

Zhukova has run twice since her last visit to Belmont, finishing fourth in the Pretty Polly and eighth in the Irish Champion. "We've been pleased with her in every race," added Weld, who won the Flower Bowl with Dimitrova in 2003.

"Coming early gave us a chance to get acclimatised. Travelling takes a bit out of her; she travels all right, but she'll appreciate the extra time."

America's reigning champion trainer Chad Brown, who has won the last three runnings of the Grade 1 event, saddles Zhukova's principal rivals in Beverly D one-two Dacita (Irad Ortiz) and Grand Jete (Javier Castellano).

Ladbrokes: 6-4 Zhukova, 2 Grand Jete, 100-30 Dacita, 10 War Flag, 25 Guilty Twelve, 33 Beauly

Also on Sunday

Belmont Park: Frizette Stakes (Grade 1) 1m | dirt | 2yo fillies (9.13pm BST, live on ATR)

With an expenses-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on the line, 16-length maiden winner Critique (Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez) breaks from the outside gate in a field of ten.

Santa Anita: LA Woman Stakes (Grade 3) 6½f | dirt | 3yo fillies (10.30pm BST)

The doors are open at Santa Anita for the hugely anticipated return to action of Unique Bella (Jerry Hollendorfer/Mike Smith), sidelined since March with a shin injury.

At the time she was regarded as America's top three-year-old filly, having won her previous four starts including wide-margin victories in Graded-stakes company. The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint rather than the Distaff, is her probable target at Del Mar next month.