Zhukova overwhelmed as War Flag stakes Breeders' Cup claims

Report: USA, Sunday

Belmont Park: Flower Bowl Stakes (Grade 1) 1m2f | turf | 3yo+ f/m

There was disappointment for the Dermot Weld team in New York as heavily fancied Zhukova was overwhelmed in the closing stages of the Flower Bowl, in which the mare finished last of six behind surprise 9-1 winner War Flag (Shug McGaughey/Jose Ortiz).

The betting suggested a French recruit was going to win the Grade 1 event but it was not front-running favourite Grand Jete, although he looked set to win entering the final furlong.

Instead, it was the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained War Flag – beaten in Grade 3 company on her last two outings – who delivered a career-best to hold off Dacita by a head, with Grand Jete back in third.

War Flag, who is owned by Joseph Allen, was one of four winners on the card for Jose Ortiz and has now booked herself a starting berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

McGaughey is hopeful she can line up at Del Mar on November 4. He said: "I have never been to Del Mar, so I can't comment on the turf course out there, but I think she'll probably like it. She's got some tactical speed. Hopefully she will come out of it good and we will be able to make the trip."

Pat Smullen pressured Grand Jete with Zhukova, a six-length winner on her previous visit to the States, but she had nothing left to offer in the final furlong.

Full result

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