For the final Saturday of the 2024 Saratoga meet, a string of three straight graded races will close up the card in the Grade III Prioress, Grade I Spinaway, and Grade II Flower Bowl. Already a successful meet for Midlantic runners, trainer Robert E. Reid will enter a pair of Pennsylvania breds at the Spa, one each in the Prioress and Flower Bowl. Guiding both runners will be the always dependable Jose Lezcano who has ridden for Reid five times already this meet. While they have yet to pick up a win together, these promising entries give them a good chance to upset some talented fields and add another Midlantic stakes winner to the meet as it winds down.

Beginning in the tenth race is the Prioress Stakes which will be run at six furlongs on the dirt exclusively for three year old fillies. On the surface, this nine horse field doesn’t have a clear standout, although the seven breaking Two Sharp starts at 7/5 on the morning line after a romp in a maiden try last time. The outside breaking Brightwork returns to the Spa after a dominant two year old campaign here last summer, winning both the Grade III Adirondack and Grade I Spinaway in her lone tries over this course. At 10/1 on the morning line, Carmelina enters for Reid after an impressive seven furlong win at Colonial Downs, as she looks to topple these foes among some others who have flashed their talent this year. Typically running with early intent, Carmelina figures to be on the lead from the jump as she won most recently with a gate to wire effort. As the one who has consistently shown the most speed of the group, this filly by Maximus Mischief – Complete St., by St Averil will have an advantage as she cuts back to six furlongs, already with a solid record in the money lifetime on dirt. Primarily running in stakes company, her two races against graded class didn’t go as well as her connections would have hoped in the spring, but continued improvement and her tactical speed does give her a chance against any of these fillies. Bred by Lillith E. Boucher, Carmelina will break from the five post and is owned by Cash Is King LLC and LC Racing LLC.

In race twelve is the Grade II Flower Bowl Stakes, originally run at Belmont Park since 1978 before being relocated to Saratoga three years ago. The Flower Bowl was also downgraded from a grade I in 2022, but still holds plenty of prestige for older fillies and mares on the turf. Going a mile and three eighths on the inner course, this contest features nine turf entries and two main track only runners should the race come off due to rain. The usual suspects enter here in the 7/5 morning line favorite War Like Goddess for Mott and the recent Glens Falls winner McKulick for Chad Brown. Despite entering at a lukewarm 8/1 on the morning line, Neecie Marie appears to be in good form following a strong show in the Grade II Beverly D at Colonial just three weeks ago. By Cross Traffic – Lode Lady, by Posse, this Michael Milam owned filly has primarily been a late finisher, gaining impressively in most of her stretch runs. With eight finishes in the top three out of ten on turf lifetime, Neecie Marie has found a level of consistency even if wins have been tough to come by this past year. With her class however, finishing well amongst the top route turf fillies and mares in the country isn’t unlikely in this spot, as Robert Reid appears to have two live runners who enter these stakes under the radar. Neecie Marie was bred by Jon A. Marshall and will break from post six.

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