Kathynmarissa showed her heart once again and has secured her spot in the Breeders’ Cup
The daughter of American Pharoah and Chilean champion La Dalila, bred by Don Alberto Corporation, prevailed in the Flower Bowl Stakes (G2) to secure her third graded victory of the season. Chad Brown confirmed that, provided she comes out of the race well, she will target the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Shelzawa completed a grand afternoon for the trainer
ELMONT, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Kathynmarissa found an extra gear just when it seemed Sunlit Uplands (Sands of Mali) might slip away, ultimately prevailing with the very trait that has defined her stellar season: heart. The mare bred by Don Alberto Corporation won the Flower Bowl Stakes (G2-2,000 m, turf, $650,000) this Thursday at Belmont Park to secure her place in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
It marked her third graded victory of 2026 and another step forward since joining the barn of Chad Brown, for whom she has won four of her last five starts since August 2025.
Sent off as the 6-5 favorite, the daughter of American Pharoah once again relied on her powerful late kick to solve a race that unfolded under far from ideal circumstances. José Ortiz opted to bide his time in mid-pack while moderate fractions of 23s64/100, 48s29/100, and 1m12s15/100 were established over the firm inner turf course. The pace offered little help to the closers, and Sunlit Uplands capitalized by spurting clear as the real racing began. Kathynmarissa had to go in hot pursuit.
She then produced the exact turn of foot that had proved decisive in the Diana Stakes (G1), steadily whittling away at the lead before gaining upper hand in the final strides to prevail by 3/4 of a length, stopping the clock for the 2,000 meters in 2m00s58/100.
“Tremendous heart,” summarized Brown. “The pace was somewhat against her and the runner-up got the jump on us. This mare had no right to catch her, but I think the last 70 meters were purely heart. That’s what I see from her in the mornings as well.”
For Ortiz, it marked his third win on the card, while Brown picked up his second.
By Don Alberto and out of Chilean royalty Kathynmarissa’s pedigree carries a particularly strong connection to South America. Bred by Don Alberto Corporation, she is out of the Chilean mare La Dalila (Milt’s Overture), a G1 winner during her racing career.
Don Alberto had acquired La Dalila at the 2014 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale while carrying her first foal, by Violence. Her second foal would be La Poetisa, a daughter of Empire Maker who also elevated the family tradition to the top flight in Chile by capturing the Las Oaks (G1) in 2020 and finishing second in El Derby (G1) the following year.
Kathynmarissa was La Dalila’s fifth foal and was sold for $200,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, purchased by HR Bloodstock out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.
She began her career under the care of Michael Dubb and Rick Dutrow Jr., winning the Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes (L) at age 3 before finishing second in the American Oaks (G1). During 2025 she made just two starts, but her transfer to Brown’s barn opened a bright new chapter. She took an allowance optional claiming event on August 28 of that season before fully breaking out in 2026.
First, she captured the Modesty Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs and subsequently achieved her maiden top-level victory in the Diana Stakes, prior to adding Thursday’s Flower Bowl Stakes.
Next stop, Keeneland Thursday’s victory also brought a paramount reward. The Flower Bowl Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, guaranteeing Kathynmarissa a berth with expenses paid into the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1-1,900 m, $2,000,000), scheduled for October 31.
Brown left no doubt regarding what comes next. Provided the mare emerges in sound condition from Belmont, she will be in the starting gate. “Now we will head to the Breeders’ Cup and see who shows up to face her,” he explained. “The distance should suit her well. It’s slightly shorter than today’s race, and her sweet spot seems to be between 1,800 and 2,000 meters. We’ll see how she handles Keeneland.”
It will be the ultimate test for a mare that has hit her peak as a 5-year-old and will arrive backed by a virtually flawless campaign.
Brown also celebrates with Shelzawa Brown’s banner afternoon included another key milestone with Shelzawa, who stepped up from conditional ranks to score her maiden stakes victory in the Winter Memories Stakes (G3-1,600 m, $200,000).
The French-bred daughter of Zelzal, under Flavien Prat, settled near the rear while saving ground as Alone Time(Justify) set fractions of 24s46/100 and 47s34/100.
Swinging off the turn, Prat angled her out wide, and Shelzawa responded with remarkable acceleration. She passed seven rivals during her charge to take control in the final 100 meters, holding off Sister Troienne (Munnings) by 3/4 of a length in 1m34s86/100.
For Shelzawa, it was her third consecutive victory following a maiden score in July and an allowance optional claiming win on August 29, both over 1,700 meters at Saratoga. Brown believes she still has plenty of upside and even hinted at giving her a break until 2027. “She is still physically light and immature. I think her best days are ahead of her,” he explained. The filly improved her record to 3 wins, 2 seconds, and a third from 6 starts.
While Shelzawa remains an intriguing prospect for next season, Kathynmarissa faces a far more immediate assignment: after proving at Belmont that she is in the form of her life, the daughter of Chilean star La Dalila will travel to Keeneland looking to cap her season against the finest turf mares in the world.
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