Princess Rooney Handicap - July 9th, 2011

Race Conditions:          Grade 1, 3+, Fillies and Mares, 6F, Dirt, Calder

Race Class Par:                           103 
Race Class Rating:                       99

Winner's Time/Quality Rating:     96

Pace:                                           Very Fast Early, Average Middle, Slow Late
Track Condition and Bias:           Drying out track rated as GD seemed Honest

Race Comments: The Princess Rooney is often a very strong Grade 1 sprint for fillies and mares, but this year's edition came up a little weak from a quality perspective. Other than Sassy Image, Champagne d'Oro (who was racing off a layoff) and perhaps Derwin's Star, there weren't any competitors with Graded Stakes caliber credentials.

The pace was blistering fast. Nearly everyone that raced close up early tired badly.  Every horse in the race made some kind of move into serious contention at some point (either early, coming out of the turn, or late).  So while the race may not have  been up to normal Grade 1 Princess Rooney standards, it was a very competitively run race and almost certainly better than most final time speed figures would suggest. 

Notable Performances:

1. Sassy Image - looked hopelessly beaten while very wide into the stretch but got up very late on the far outside.

2. Musical Romance - well off the pace, 3 or 4 wide turn, split horses mid stretch to take command, caught late.

3. Indulgence - well off the pace, 2 wide turn to rally into contention, briefly waited for room behind horses, made a sharp move to the outside mid stretch to make her run, but was outfinished

4. Stephanie Got Even - saved ground, rallied up the rail into contention, but was outfinished

5. Champagne d'Oro - sat a couple of lengths behind the 3 way battle up front while probably still too close to the hot pace, remained inside but off the rail, made a bid between horses mid stretch but weakened.  This could set her up for a top effort at Saratoga (or elsewhere) 2nd off the layoff. 

6. Jehan -  well off the pace 3 wide, swung out 5-6 wide into the stretch, took the lead, but was outfinished 

7. Cosmo Girl - hard used inside setting the pace, hung around until mid stretch. Should be tough against lesser.

8. Derwin's Star - in good position off the pace, moved outside Champagne d'Oro on the turn, swung 4 wide late turn to get into contention but weakened

9. Bella Moneta - hard used stalking the pace in the 2W, tired

10. Don'ttalktome - hard used stalking the pace 3W, tired