June 28, 2016

Named for a champion filly and the first winner of a BC race, the now Grade II Princess Rooney Handicap was started back in 1985, one year after her namesake finished her racing career, and has been one of the key mid-season races for fillies and mares on the road to the BC Sprint or BC F&M Sprint. Multiple Grade I winner Chaposa Springs was really the first major horse to win back in the mid 90’s but when it started to get Graded, it opened the floodgates for horses like Dream Supreme, Gold Mover and Madcap Escapade to win.

It has always been an excellent race at HRP with a dead-heat for victory in the first edition between Darling Harbour and Letthegoodtimesroll signaling the start of something special, and from duel champion Blonde Dynamite through multiple Grade I winning turf mare Princess Azula, and onto Horse Of The Year Avery Island and even defending champion Danzig Ghost, this race has been important for those fillies who excel going short and have the speed to handle the GP main track. This year, only five fillies and mares have signed on including a single three-year-old taking on her older rivals but each knows how to win and it will come down to trip and class when choosing which of these talented fillies proves best.

1-Plucky Elmo (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-Heavens Own)

Plucky Elmo was a huge purchase back in October last year but she has only been able to score a pair of victories in allowance company and coming into the Princess Rooney off a fourth against state-bred company, she will need to be better to handle some very classy older sprinters. Her speed ratings have been solid enough all season long and she does seem to be much better as a sprinter but she failed to get the job done going this distance last time and if she gets caught in a speed duel, the feeling is that she will be the one to falter over others in that situation.

Analysis-Takes on older runners and should appreciate the weight break
Fair Odds-10/1

2-T S Devil (Five-year-old black mare / Owner-Triple K)

Multiple Grade III winner T S Devil comes into GP off the heels of another big win at WO but that score over the slop might not translate as well over a fast track compared to others in the field and she will have to assert herself from off the pace if she hopes to push into that Grade II threshold. She set the pace two back in the Vinery Madison but could not hang on against the incredible Distant Cousin and that kind of effort over this distance might be enough to win, although she has to make sure she does not get caught going too quickly early.

Analysis-Big effort in the slop last time but needs more over a fast track

Fair Odds-4/1

3-Silk Houses (Four-year-old black filly / Owner-Alydar Stables)

Surprise Grade II winner Silk Houses scored the biggest win of her career over this seven-furlong trip in the Distaff at AQU and was not bad when third behind champion Distant Cousin in the Humana Distaff in early May and with the time off, should be able to fire big once again despite even workouts that might signal a lack of fitness. Speed ratings are improving and she always seems to be there at the end so look for her to sit well back and make a run late for what should be a solid piece of the $250.000 purse.

Analysis-Will close into the pace to get a small piece

Fair Odds-5/1

4-T S Razor (Four-year-old chestnut filly / Owner-Mb Stables)

Owner Mb Stables always seems to have a horse ready for any of these major races but for once, their entrant does not really seem to fit and while T S Razor is three-for-four this year with a Grade I win in the Apple Blossom, this seven-furlong distance will not be her best and she would have to surprise to win. A disappointing effort against the best of the Distaff division in the Phipps warrants this move into easier company and while she does possess early speed, it might not be fast enough to get to the lead and getting caught in midpack will test her ability to recognize this specialty distance.

Analysis-Route runner gets a new stamina test

Fair Odds-8/1

5-Balais Bruit (Four-year-old bay filly / Owner-Drabfantasy)

Balais Bruit ran an incredible race in the Humana Distaff to close from dead-last for second behind the best of winners and off that effort, and a solid six-furlong workout over the track, she has to be considered the favourite to sit behind an expected speed battle and rocket home from her wide post. Clearly talented with 10 top-two placings in 11 starts, she looks to continue her solid form in these extended sprint trips with eyes on bigger prizes in both open and NM-bred races in the coming months.

Analysis-Huge run from the outside stall is expected

Fair Odds-2/1

Overall

The second and third place finishers behind Distant Cousin in the Humana Distaff come back to contest the Grade II Princess Rooney on the Summit Of Speed card at GP and Balais Bruit looks to have the best shot of running down the speed and getting all the glory going this seven-furlong distance. Silk Houses also looked great at CD and should be right there at the end but was outfinished by her rival and might not have enough late, while T S Devil should be right at home going this trip and might be able to split them if she has the strength left after pressing or even setting the pace.

Prediction

Win-Balais Bruit (2/1)

Place-T S Devil (4/1)

Show-Silk Houses (5/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES