Handicapper's Corner: Chicago Handicap (G3)

Competitive Chicago 'Cap Draws 13 

By: Nicolle Neulist, Blinkers-Off 

After a year's diversion to Churchill Downs, the Chicago Handicap is back where it belongs this year: Arlington Park.  This year marks the 29th running of the race.  Last year's edition was at Churchill Downs, though it was run at Arlington for all its editions before that.

Though the surfaces differ, the Chicago Handicap does cover the same trip as the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: seven furlongs.  One horse, Informed Decision, has swept the Chicago Handicap-Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Spring double.  She did so in 2009 on the way to an Eclipse for Champion Female Sprinter, then came back to win another edition of the Chicago Handicap in 2010.  One other mare has won both this race and a Breeders' Cup race.  Hall of Fame inductee Safely Kept (1991) beat males in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and was also named Champion Sprinter the previous year.  Though Meafara (1993) never won a Breeders' Cup race, she came close twice, as she was Breeders' Cup Sprint runner-up in both 1992 and 1993.

In recent years at Arlington, local horses and connections have made good account of themselves. Ingrid Mason trainee Sarah Sis claimed the 2016 running of the Chicago Handicap.  In 2014 a Chris Block charge, My Option, ran down Flower Spell, another standard-bearer for the Mason barn.

Arlington Park - Saturday, June 23

Race 8: Chicago Handicap (G3), fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, seven furlongs on the polytrack, post time 5:11pm CST

This year's Chicago Handicap drew a field of thirteen fillies and mares to vie for a $100,000 purse.  It's a competitive affair: a mix of proven Arlington runners and those trying the local Polytrack for the first time, a mix of proven seven-furlong runners and horses who are dabbling at the distance to see if it suits.

The race looks uncommon from a pace perspective.  For a one-turn race with thirteen entrants, it didn't draw a whole lot of speed. Several of the entrants have route speed – Princess La Quinta, Babybluesbdancing, One Liz, Full of Zip – but few have sharp sprint speed.

That makes Marquee Miss on the rail interesting.  The daughter of Cowboy Cal lost her last race at the break: she came out of the gate poorly, and never recovered.  But, with a better break she could jump from the rail and set the fractions.  Other than that last race, her form over the Polytrack is good: she won the Arlington-Washington Lassie (a seven-furlong Polytrack sprint) on debut, and also has a second-place finish over the course. 

And, if Marquee Miss doesn't strike the front immediately?  As long as she gets out of the gate cleanly, she also has a rate-and-rally gear, and has successfully rated and rallied from inside draws.  Finally, the barn bodes well.  The last two times the Chicago Handicap was run in Chicago, Ingrid Mason had something to say: her Sarah Sis won in 2016, and her Flower Spell led a long way and held on for second in 2014.  At a reasonable price in a wide-open race, Marquee Miss gets top billing.

Hotshot Anna tries graded company for the first time, and found a good spot at which to do it.  She comes off a sharp victory at Canterbury, done in stalk-and-pounce style, going six and a half furlongs.  Now she stretches to seven for the first time: but between her sharp six and a half furlong score and the fact that she has been able to stretch her form out to a mile, seven should suit Hotshot Anna well.  Though she is an off-pace type, she shouldn't need to rally from the clouds, and she doesn't need a pace collapse to find her rally.  The biggest question about Hotshot Anna is the Polytrack.  But, since her only start came in her debut, her inexperience may do more to explain her off-board finish than the surface.  Hotshot Anna has a couple of local works, suggesting she has settled in.  If she can run as fast here as she can on the dirt at Canterbury and Oaklawn, she looms a threat.

Grade 1 winner Union Strike brings class to this affair.  Her current form is a question, as she has been out of the starting gate since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita.  The Polytrack is also a question, as she has only ever run on dirt.  But, the most consistent thing about Union Strike's form is her ability at extended sprint distances. She won the Del Mar Debutante (G1) at seven furlongs, won the six-and-a-half-furlong Santa Paula, and finished second beaten only a head in the seven-furlong Eight Belles (G2).  This race has Union Strike right back in that distance sweet spot.  On pace, she should be fine; though she's an off-pace type, she rallied well even if the pace in front of her is not torrid.  Union Strike has also shown the ability to fire fresh; she won the Santa Paula first off a four-month lay.  Trainer Mick Ruis has found a reasonable spot to bring Union Strike back, and she figures strongly if she takes to the Polytrack.

Selections:

#1 Marquee Miss

#7 Hotshot Anna

#2 Union Strike

Longshot:  It's almost a surprise that Illinois-bred #11 One Liz hasn't run seven furlongs before.  After all, over the course of her twenty-six race career, it seems the seven-year-old grey has tried just about every surface and distance under the sun and been able to excel at all of them.  She can sprint, and she can route.  She can sit near the lead, or she can rally from well off the going.  And, she has been excellent on the Arlington polytrack.   

One Liz finished off the board on debut – but in six starts since, she has five wins and a second-place finish.  That second-place finish came last out, but she faced the futile task of chasing a loose-on-the-lead Dreamofjean E. all the way around.   

Though Julio Felix, her rider for her last two, he defects to Babybluesbdancing?That doesn't look like an indictment of One Liz's form, as Felix has been riding Babybluesbdancing since she was a juvenile.Instead top rider Jose Valdivia takes the reins on One Liz; Valdivia booted One Liz home to a sprint stakes victory at Arlington last year. If she brings her best form, he could guide her to another one at a price.

Handicapper's Corner: Beholder Stakes (G1)

Small but Select Field in Beholder Stakes

By: Michael Mills, ThoroFan Member

While a small field of 6 will contest Saturday's Grade I, $400,000 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita Park the field collectively has 13 graded stakes victories among them.

1 Munny Spunt — Supplemented entry into the race for $8,000.  Has raced in just 3 graded races in her career.  14 of her 15 starts have been sprinting.  Her lone start around 2 turns was a sharp second place finish in the one-mile Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes last August at Del Mar.  Looks a couple of steps below the rest of the competition.

2 Mopotism — Raced just 8 days ago in the Grade One Gamely at 1 1/8 miles on the turf and didn’t do much running.  Four starts at the one-mile distance on the dirt with three wins and a second.  Last win was at this mile distance on the dirt in the grade two LaCanada back in January.  She may be worth a flier if she is anywhere around her morning line odds of 15-1.

3 La Force — Hard knocking honest as they come filly is lacking in graded wins.  Would be a surprise if she won this, but I won’t be surprised to see her hit the board.

4 Paradise Woods — Winner of last year’s Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. Ran sixth as the 1-5 favorite in the Grade III Torrey Pines Stakes (see Munny Spunt), Won the Grade I, 1 1/16-mile Zenyatta Stakes back in September. Ran a good second, beaten by Unique Bella in the Grade I, seven furlong La Brea Stakes two starts back in December.  Second start off the layoff and working well.

5 Vale Dori — Six-year-old mare had a great 2017 campaign with three wins and two seconds including.  Finished second in this race last year beaten a neck by Stellar Wind. Money Mike Smith stick with Unique Bella, Rafael Bejarano returns having guided her to four wins from seven tries previously, including Grade I 2017 Santa Margarita Stakes.  Bring speed and should make a better account of herself this being second off the layoff.

6 Unique Bella — Six wins and a second at Santa Anita.  Didn’t seem to care much for the off going in the Apple Blossom in April finishing second at 1-5.  Straight to the chase, looking for a much-improved effort from this gray filly today.

Selections:   6-5-4

Wager:         $100 Win 6

Have A Day

Mike Mills

 

Handicapper's Corner: Princess Rooney Stakes (G2)

Curlin's Approval Horse for Course in Princess Rooney

By: Jeffrey Cobb, S. FL ThoroFan Member

On Saturday, July 1^st the Summit of Speed will be held at Gulfstream Park.  The Summit of Speed was once a Summertime staple of Calder Race Course. Now that CRC is out of the horse racing business, the Summit has moved 5 miles east.

The weather Saturday is predicted to be partly cloudy with a chance of a passing morning shower.  If the forecast is true, the track should be dry and fast by race time.  Of course, this is South Florida, and it is officially Summer, so rain at any time is always possible. The good news is that GP does a good job of keeping their eye on the radar and sealing the track before any serious rain occurs.

The track at the 7-furlong distance plays fair with respect to post position. Like most North American tracks, it tends to favor speed; however, given the right pace scenario, closers do have a chance.

Here is the field.

PP 1 Money Or Love (30-1): a 5 year old mare trained by Anthony Russo and ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman. Money Or Love ran poorly last out in the 100k Ginger Punch, but that race was on turf and 8.5 furlongs. At 0 for 6 on grass, I'm guessing that is not Money Or Love's surface. The race before was 7f on the main track was the100k state bred Musical Romance.  Money Or Love took the prize in that race.  Overall Money Or Love appears to be a little too slow for others in the field might be able to get a piece of a vertical exotic so use underneath in supers and trifectas.

PP 2 Birdatthewire (6-1): Thomas Procter, trainer and Van Dyke Drayden in the saddle. Bird is shipping in from Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa. The Bird recovered from a slow start at Churchill in November to get up for 2^nd in the Grade 2 Chilukki stakes is 2 for 5 at the distance and always in the money in 4 tries at GP with two wins including a 3^rd place finish in last year’s edition of the Princess Rooney. Birdatthewire is one of those teaser horsedswho always seems to be a little late at the wire. Contender for a minor prize, nothing more.

PP 3 Dearest (4-1): Gilberto Zerpa, trainer and Emisael Jaramillo the jockey. There is a lot to like about Dearest. She won the G3 Sugar Swirl two back and finished 3^rd a half-length behind Distinta (4) and Wheatfield (5) last out. Dearest likes to win (8-5-1-2), likes GP (6-4-0-2), and the distance (3-2-0-1). Jaramillo is a good fit for the filly. Downside is her last race was a step slower than her usual. However, Dearest has been freshened and Zerpa is 27% off > 90 days rest. In addition, Jaramillo wins for Zerpa at a 50% rate in the last 60 days (10 times out and 5 wins). If can regain her previous form, she will be right there at the wire.

PP 4 Distinta (8-1): Trained by Victor Barboza, Jr. and ridden by Edgard Zayas. Distinta beat Dearest (3) and Wheatfield (5) last out, yet her ML odds are twice those of Dearest. Let me tell you why. Dearest is 5 wins in 8 tries and Distinta is 4 wins in 22 tries. Distinta's Brisnet speed figures are, on average not good enough to win this race and usually only good enough for a minor prize. A mare who likes to finish 2^nd. Maybe use underneath.

PP 5 Wheatfield (20-1): Trained by Nick Zito and piloted by C. J. McMahon. Wheatfield has been struggling lately. Coming down from Belmont, she's been keeping pretty good company but has been unable to find the winner's circle this year. Wheatfield finished 2^nd in 1 try at GP and has not won in 3 tries at the distance.  I think I will look elsewhere.

PP 6 Patriotic Diamond (12-1): Trained by Patrick (the pit viper) Biancone and ridden by Cornelio Velasquez. PD is has not yet cleared on winners of 1 other than.... yet is lined at only 12-1. Explain that to me. 12-1 is too short. Next.

PP 7 Curlin's Approval (9-2): Trained by Martin Wolfson and ridden by Luis Saez.  There was a time when this would be Marty Wolfson's day and he might have 2 or 3 entries in this race and a couple of others.  At one time Wolfson was a premier South Florida trainer, but he has been quiet the last couple of years. Curlin's Approval has had good results at GP (8-5-1-0) and the distance (5-2-0-0). Saez is a very capable rider who can get his mount home if he's got the horse. Curlin's Approval has won a couple of nice races here, but her last two indicate that she may be cycling down. She's had a bit of a rest and good recent works suggesting she may be ready to return to her strong form. I think, 9-2 may be a little light, but if the public goes where I think the will, I could be taking a long hard look at Curlin's Approval.

PP 8 Lightstream (7-2): Trained by Brian Lynch and ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano. The morning line makes Lightstream the favorite; however, I am not a fan of horses shipping into hot and humid South Florida in the Summer. Lightstream has won at GP, but that was her maiden win.  If Brisnet speed figures are to be believed, it was also her best and she has yet to run back to that maiden figure.  In spite of that failure, Lightstream still has a couple of graded stakes wins and must be regarded as a contender.  I think we can take a stand against this one for the top prize. Lightstream will likely be less than 7-2 at post time, and will make it easier to play against her. Will look at her in the walking ring and post parade to see how she's adapting to the climate.

PP 9 More Than a Party (20-1): Trained by Edwin T. Broome and ridden by Luca Panici. This one seems to be a little slower that the rest, so I am going to move on.

PP10 Concealedwithakiss (15-1): Trained by Luis Duco and ridden by Marcos Neneses. Annette will like this one because of the name. I think again, this one doesn't have what it takes to win here. So again, moving along.

PP11 Kinsley Kisses (6-1): Trained by Todd A. Pletcher and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Now I have the Annette exacta for this race. Did anybody notice that Todd had removed his “Evil Todd” goatee at the Belmont? And, has anybody noticed that Tyler Gaffalione is 44% when riding for Pletcher, most of which have come at GP? Anybody notice that KK is 2 for 2 at GP? KK is another GP maiden breaker and has won every non-stakes race she has competed in. Oh wait, this is a stakes race. Ok in stakes races she likes to finish 2^nd and 3^rd a lot, so why should this one be any different.  Bet you thought I was going to drink the Todd Kool-Aid here, didn't ya? Use underneath, not on top.

Bottomline: The 2017 edition of the Princess Rooney has turned out to be a highly competitive race in which it is difficult, in most cases to separate the contenders from the pretenders. No real strong opinion on this race, and my opinion could change between now and Saturday. But as of now, this is how I see it. 

I am looking for Marty Wolfson to relive some of his old South Florida glory. Castellano and Pletcher involved on different entries will suck up most of the weekend warrior money.  Wolfson has always been good off the layoff and Curlin's Approval (7) has the ability to win here if she gains regain her good form.  The recent workouts give me reason to think she will. I will look for Dearest (3) and Kinsley Kisses (11) to fill out the exacta and trifecta.  Because this is such a competitive race, you might want to spread out a little in the exotics.  A price horse here would not be a shocker and the payoff could be good.

Good luck to everyone.

 

Handicapper's Corner: Raven Run Stakes (G2)

Lucy N Ethel Ready to Roll in 2016 Raven Run Stakes

By: Nick Costa, Trackside with Trackman

A dozen three-year old fillies are entered for the 18th running of the Grade 2 Raven Run on Saturday. First run in 1999, the Raven Run Stakes, which has been sponsored by Lexus since 2005, is named after a nature sanctuary about a half-hour drive from Keeneland Race Course, the site where the race is held. It is a Grade 2 sprint for 3-year old fillies at 7-furlongs with a purse value of $250,000 and is run during the third week of October as part of the race course's annual Fall Meet. The race attained G3 status in 2002, then earned its current Grade 2 designation in 2006.

Let's take a peek from the rail out.

PP -  Horse/Jockey/Trainer

1 -Covey Trace/Brian Hernandez/William Denzik Jr.--She won her first stakes last start in the G3 Charlestown Oaks where her heart was on display as she displayed firm determination in winning by a neck. F.Y.I, last year's Raven Run winner (Sarah Sis) also exited the C.T.Oaks.

2 - Ma Can Do It/Channing Hill/Dale Romans --As a maiden back in the springtime, she finished 2nd at 50-1 odds in the G2 Black Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico. She recently broke maiden ranks in her 10th start last time out. Too slow to win this.

3 - Grace's Treasure/Jesus Castonon/Michael Ewing--Following a six-week layoff, this girl finished third in the Dogwood Stakes last race, her only start at this distance. That was a nice tightener and should move forward.

4 - Lucy N Ethel/Corey Lanerie/Tom Amoss--After healing from ankle surgery, this speedy Pennsylvania-bred filly returned last month to win the G2 Prioress. She has never been headed and now puts her unbeaten record on the line while traveling an additional furlong.

5 - Southern Girl/Florent Geroux/Larry Jones--Gray filly exits a stakes win and has won 4 of her first 5 starts, which includes beating older runners. Has a nice mid-pack running style and should give a good account of herself.

6 - Bellamentary/Martin Garcia/Philip D'Amato--The only filly in this field that can boast of a runner-up finish to Songbird, which was accomplished two starts back at Santa Anita. May find herself in the early mix at this distance, which she is 2 for 2 at.

7 - Malibu Stacy/Gabriel Saez/George Weaver--Stakes-placed closer will try to rebound from a nondescript turf outing last month. Scored going 7-furlongs at the Spa, but against weaker.

8 - Curlin's Aprroval/Tyler Gaffalione/Martin Wolfson--She's been spotted against older runners three times and has come away victorious each occasion. The only defeat hung on her was against her own age group. Speed figures are on the rise and she owns the best last race figure (BRIS) in the field. Has been away since August, but has trained swiftly. Should be involved early.

9 - Coniah/Joe Bravo/Kiaran McLaughlin--G3 placed runner brings plenty of speed to the table, but seems overmatched and the 7f distance doesn't appear to suit her.

10 - Sophia's Song/Robby Albarado/Todd Pletcher--Her graded stakes debut in the C.T.Oaks last month saw her employ closing tactics and just miss by a neck. Was on the lead before giving way to T.C.A. winner, Irish Jasper, when the two met at Saratoga in August. In the money in all six starts.

11 - Takrees/Ricardo Santana/Kiaran McLaughlin-- First level allowance winner closed from last place with a fierce rally to finish third behind Lucy n Ethel when stepped up in company in the 10-horse G2 Prioress field last race. Has yet to race beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.

12 - Lightstream/Julien Leparoux/ Brian Lynch--Reeled off three consecutive wins to begin her career before the streak was halted in  the G1 Mother Goose with a third-place finish. Contested the G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga where she was denied very late. A 3-time winner at the distance.

Analysis:

All eyes, of course, will be watching Lucy n Ethel to find out if the young filly can keep her unbeaten record intact. She's certainly proven fast early and fast late, but the question is, can she repeat the latter feat traveling into unchartered territory? There are a few others in here that can motor quickly also, but although no opponent has put her away thus far, and probably won't here either, the added pressure she will face in the early stages may leave her vulnerable in the final furlong. I'll bet against the winning streak continuing.

No one likes to play a favorite, well, she is on the morning line and very well could be at post time, but Lightstream gets my call. She exits the best races (Mother Goose and Test) that any of these runners came out of. She’s proven at this distance, including a win in the G3 Beaumont over the Keeneland surface this past spring, has trained fast for this, and should get a strong pace to run at.

Longshot play:

Southern Girl should receive a nice trip in behind the front flight and get first crack to take over from the tiring speed. Whether she can hold off my top choice remains to be seen, but with a strong late kick of her own, she has to be afforded a solid chance, especially at nice odds. She's displayed consistency, with 4 wins in 5 starts. This is her first try in graded stakes company and there may be more upside to this gal seeing she is lightly-raced. She has shown steady progression in each start that another move forward could get it done here.



About Nick Costa 
Nick became instantly hooked on horseracing when his father first took him to the racetrack when he was 5 years old. As a racing fan, he attended several Kentucky Derby's and Breeders' Cups, while also traveling to several major and minor tracks throughout the United States and Canada. Back in the year 2000, Nick became a licensed owner and is currently still involved with the sport in that honored capacity. In 2010, Nick added another dimension when he began to try his hand at writing about horse racing by previewing and recapping major events for different racing outlets. You can view much of Nick’s writing contributions on his blog, Trackside withTrackman at Horse Racing Nation.
 

 

Handicapper's Corner: Princess Rooney Handicap (G2)

Princess Rooney Handicap - Locals vs. Shippers

By: Laurie Ross, Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds

The Princess Rooney Handicap (G2) is a highlight on Gulfstream Park’s Summit of Speed day.  First created in the 1990’s, the Summit of Speed offers $1.125 million and two Breeders’ Cup Challenge events. 

The seven-furlong affair was named in honor of the Champion Older mare, Princess Rooney.  The race was first contested in 1985 at Calder Racetrack. Over the years, the contest rose to Grade One prominence, but was recently downgraded to a Grade Two event.

One of my fondest memories is of a spring day in May of 1982.  While watching the horses in the walking ring for an upcoming maiden event for two-year-old fillies, my eye landed on a pretty gray filly with the moniker of Princess Rooney. She was a real stand-out who exuded class and stood withers above the rest.  

At the start of the maiden race, Princess Rooney broke sharply. After leading the field through a brisk first quarter, the two-year-old filly opened up, widening her advantage with every stride.   

The track apron was littered with dropped jaws, including mine, as Princess Rooney swung into the stretch while the rest of the herd was struggling to to find the half mile pole. Princess Rooney returned to the winner’s circle to a burst of spontaneous applause by the crowd.  Many of us realized that we witnessed something special in the making and we agreed that Princess Rooney’s brilliance brought to mind the talent of Secretariat and Ruffian.  Princess Rooney won or placed in 20 of her 21 starts. She won the inaugural Breeders' Cup Distaff by seven lengths and was the first Breeders’ Cup winner to be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame.

This year, eight fillies and mares will vie for an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. The typical summer weather has set in. High humidity, with temps feeling like 105 degrees with mid-afternoon showers. Gulfstream has a good drainage system so the track should be good to fast by the time the fillies take their positions in the gate.

The Favorites:

BIRDATTHEWIRE (Summer Bird - My Limit, by Wagon Limit) ships in from Churchill for Dale Romans. No stranger to Gulfstream Park, Birdatthewire is a neck shy of a perfect record over the main track. Romans recently received the filly back into his barn. She won the LaBrea (G1) while in his care last December, but hasn’t been close to winning since that victory.  She’ll enter the Princess Rooney in her second start off of a layoff for Romans. The trainer captured the Princess Rooney ‘Cap in ’11 with Sassy Image.

SPELLING AGAIN (Awesome Again - Spelling, by Alphabet Soup) has really been mismanaged throughout her career. She has the pedigree to excel at classic distances over dirt, yet she’s been campaigned no farther than a mile over turf, Tapita and dirt. Perhaps part of the reason is that she wants to either lead or press the pace. Despite this, Spelling Again has hit the board in 13 of 19 starts. The Brad Cox trainee is certainly the class of the race. She’s been competitive with the Graded Stakes crowd lately and has hit the board in four of six of her last starts at that level.

CALI STAR (Street Cry (IRE) - Graeme Six, by Graeme Hall) was recently purchased by WinstarFarm and is a stablemate to Kiss to Remember. She won the Rampart (G3) here last December.  Toss Cali Star’s last race. She obviously didn’t like the track, and she stumbled after the race, losing jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. Cali Star cuts back in distance, but she will sit off the pace and should be running at the end.

Logical Longshots:

KISS TO REMEMBER (Big Brown - Taft Lil Queen, by Irish Open) may remember kisses, but she has forgotten how to find the winner’s circle. Maybe she doesn’t like having her picture taken. The Chestnut mare has recently strung together a trio of second place finishes, all at a mile. She was third in the Princess Rooney last year, for trainer Marty Wolfson, but hasn’t won a race since July 2015. Wolfson has won the Princess Rooney Handicap four times, twice in the last five years.  

CONCEALEDWITHAKISS (Political Force - Bold Outlook, by Chief Seattle) is aiming for three straight victories. She takes a step up in class, but this isn’t the strongest field and it is a logical step.  Concealedwithakiss bested Kiss to Remember in their last two meetings.

Underdogs:

MY MISS VENEZUELA (Hold Me Back - Multipass, by Olmodavor) won the Sea Lily Stakes in her first start off of a 3 ½ month layoff.  The six furlong contest is prep race for the Princess Rooney. My Miss Venezuela won by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:10.86, but her final 1/8 was in a slow 13.47. The Bruno Tessore trainee hasn’t managed to string together two back-to-back victories. Additionally, Emisael Jaramillo, who has been aboard for the last two starts, decamps in favor of Kiss to Remember, whom he’s never ridden.  

BE MIND PHIL (Philanthropist - Note to Self, by Notebook) and WILLOW HILLS (Distorted Humor - Pleasant Hill, by Pleasant Tap) round out the field.  Be Mind Phil is a hardy, optional claimer who hits the board more often than not. She’s moving up in company in her first start for trainer Jacob Molina.  Willow Hills is making her first start since last November for her new trainer, David Fawkes.  The mare has a string of steady breezes at Gulfstream, but Fawkes is only 9% with horses off of the layoff.

Selections:

There is plenty of early speed in the Princess Rooney, however, the pace setters haven’t fared well in this race. In the last five years, four of the last five winners were third or farther back in the early stages. Most were pressers/mid-pack types, while one was a stalker.  Five horses in here have a good chance of hitting the board.

#8 KISS TO REMEMBER (5-1)

#1 CALI STAR (9-2)

#4 BIRDATTHEWIRE (8-5) 

#5 CONCEALEDWITHAKISS (20-1)

#7 SPELLING AGAIN (3-1)

Handigambling:

$0.50 Super Box - #1, #4, #5, #7, #8 = $60

$2 WPS (4-1 or higher) #8, #5 = $6