Flower Bowl S.

Lady Eli, in her second start since life-threatening laminitis sidelined her for more than a year, looks to be all the way back. She rebounded impressively from the first defeat of her career, when she missed by three-quarters of a length against Strike Charmer in the Ballston Spa Stakes on Aug. 27 at Saratoga, by running down Sentiero Italia at the top of the stretch and edging away.

“I think she’s one of the great all-time turf mares, I really do,” said trainer Chad Brown after Lady Eli won for the seventh time in eight career starts.

Brown went on, “It takes such a rare horse to overcome what she has and make it all the way back.”

Brown believes Lady Eli is well-positioned for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which she earned an automatic berth for with her win in the Flower Bowl. That Nov. 5 race will represent her third start off a prolonged layoff, an angle many handicappers value. She also should have the benefit of firm turf, as she did at Belmont Park.

“She’s training outstanding. She couldn’t possibly work any better,” Brown said. “I think she is better than ever.”