The 2026 Flower Bowl Stakes is set for September 26 at Belmont Park, contested over 1¼ miles on turf. Anticipation continues to build as trainers and jockeys finalize preparations for one of the fall meet’s most closely watched events.
The final field is expected to be confirmed in the days leading up to the September 26 Flower Bowl, which will provide fans and handicappers a look at who will compete for top honors. In the meantime, several horses are already building momentum heading into the race, drawing attention for their recent form, connections, and potential to make an impact.
Here’s a closer look at potential contenders and jockeys worth monitoring ahead of the Flower Bowl Stakes.
Bellezza Defends Her Crown
Bellezza provides an obvious starting point for Flower Bowl Stakes picks after winning the race in 2025. The Miguel Clement-trained mare produced an impressive late surge at Saratoga, passing Grade I winner Be Your Best before drawing clear to score by 2 ¼ lengths over 1 ⅜ miles.
Her finishing ability was central to that success. Bellezza travelled at the rear before advancing around the final turn and producing a sustained stretch run. Significantly, the victory came on firm turf, demonstrating her effectiveness on quicker ground.
Bellezza has also shown she can perform when conditions soften. Before the Flower Bowl, she placed in the Grade I New York and Grade II Glens Falls over yielding turf, providing evidence of versatility across different course conditions.
If her connections pursue a title defence, the change in distance warrants consideration. The 2026 Flower Bowl is scheduled over 1 ¼ miles at the reconstructed Belmont Park. Her proven closing ability nevertheless makes Bellezza an important name to monitor as plans develop.
Be Your Best Brings Early Speed
Be Your Best offers a contrasting profile should trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. target another Flower Bowl appearance. She entered the 2025 renewal with established graded form and a reputation for possessing considerable cruising speed, an attribute her trainer highlighted before the race.
Firm conditions have previously suited her. Ahead of the 2025 Flower Bowl, Joseph specifically expressed a preference for firm turf, noting both her high cruising speed and ability to stay. Those characteristics could remain relevant if she returns for the Belmont edition.
Her pace profile is particularly interesting in a distance turf race. A prominent runner can influence how comfortably closers settle and when their jockeys decide to challenge. If Be Your Best is involved, her early positioning could therefore affect more than her own prospects.
That dynamic makes final entries important. The presence or absence of other forward-going runners will help determine whether an uncontested lead is possible or early pressure develops. Bettors can assess those factors once the field and post positions are established.
La Mehana Offers Distance Credentials
La Mehana gives the Clement stable another possible contender with convincing staying credentials. The French-bred mare demonstrated her stamina emphatically in the 2025 Grade II Glens Falls at Saratoga, drawing away from her rivals to win the 1½ mile turf contest by 8 ¾ lengths.
That performance came on yielding ground and produced a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure. She subsequently contested the Flower Bowl on firm turf, finishing fourth behind stablemate Bellezza after entering the race as the favourite.
Her broader record suggests that softer conditions would not inconvenience her. Clement later noted that La Mehana could handle different ground, while her Glens Falls performance demonstrated how effective she could be when there was some give in the surface.
If La Mehana returns for the 2026 Flower Bowl, conditions could help determine how bettors separate her from other potential contenders. The race’s 1¼-mile distance is shorter than her Glens Falls victory, but her established stamina could remain useful if the contest develops into a demanding finish.
Jockey Dylan Davis Remains Worth Monitoring
Dylan Davis is another name worth following as riding assignments emerge. His history with the Clement operation provides relevant context. However, it is important not to assume he will partner Bellezza or another specific runner until the 2026 field and jockey bookings are confirmed.
Davis has previously delivered Flower Bowl success for the stable. In 2023, he partnered Christophe Clement-trained Parnac to victory in the Grade II event, demonstrating his ability to execute effectively in this particular long-distance turf contest.
He also remained involved with the operation after Miguel Clement assumed responsibility for the stable in 2025. NYRA results show Davis winning aboard Miguel Clement-trained runners, providing continuity with an organisation renowned for its extensive turf programme.
His eventual 2026 assignment could consequently attract interest, particularly if Clement sends multiple horses to the race. Bettors should avoid interpreting mount selection before bookings are confirmed, but Davis’s Flower Bowl-winning experience and familiarity with Clement-trained turf horses give his eventual involvement potential significance.
Trainer Chad Brown Has a Strong Race History
Few trainers possess a stronger historical Flower Bowl record than Chad Brown. His previous winners include Stephanie’s Kitten in 2014 and 2015, Lady Eli in 2016, Fourstar Crook in 2018, Sistercharlie in 2019, Virginia Joy in 2022 and Idea Generation in 2024.
That record matters because the Flower Bowl repeatedly attracts accomplished turf runners from leading American operations. Brown’s history with older fillies and mares over extended turf distances means any representative from his stable warrants examination once the official entries are released.
His past winners have also succeeded with different jockeys and tactical approaches. John Velazquez, Irad Ortiz Jr. and Florent Geroux are among those who have partnered Brown-trained horses to Flower Bowl victories, showing that the stable’s success has not depended on one riding combination.
Rather than assuming a particular Brown runner will participate, bettors can monitor preparations as September approaches. However, it’s worth noting that Kathynmarissa is currently a likely Flower Bowl target if she remains healthy.
If his stable is represented, its extensive history in this race provides relevant context alongside each horse’s current form, distance record and preferred conditions.
Jockey Julien Leparoux Knows the Flower Bowl
Julien Leparoux brings notable Flower Bowl experience, having partnered War Like Goddess to victory for trainer Bill Mott in the 2021 edition. His record in the race also includes success aboard Pure Clan in 2009, giving him multiple victories in this established turf contest.
Long-distance turf racing places particular emphasis on timing, positioning and judging pace. Leparoux’s previous Flower Bowl victories demonstrate his familiarity with those demands and the tactical decisions involved in extended turf races.
His involvement in 2026 remains unconfirmed. If Leparoux secures a mount, however, his proven history in the Flower Bowl would make his partnership worth monitoring.
Belmont Sets the Stage
The 2026 Flower Bowl presents an intriguing mix of familiar history and new circumstances as the race returns to Belmont Park. Kathynmarissa is currently one of the clearest names to monitor after Chad Brown identified the Flower Bowl as a likely target if she remains healthy, while Bellezza, Be Your Best, and La Mehana remain possible contenders whose participation is not yet confirmed.
Nothing should be assumed before entries and riding assignments become official. Once the field takes shape, recent form, turf conditions, pace composition, distance records and jockey bookings can provide a clearer picture of which contenders appear best suited to the September 26 test.
Content reflects information available as of 2026/08/19; subject to change.
