Exotics Plays for the Princess Rooney Stakes

A total of 10 fillies and mares will jaunt seven-eighths on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $220,000 Princess Rooney S. (G3). The first inclusion for me is obvious, as #10 Beth’s Dream dons an 11-8-1-1 lifetime mark on the course which includes wins in four straight races locally. Trained by Victor Barboza, the daughter of Jess’s Dream comes off a daylight victory in the Sheer Drama S. at the distance, and the bay has won from on or off the pace, as well. I do not like the outside draw going seven panels on this surface, in general, but the mare is good enough to overcome it. 

Princess Rooney Exotics

• $8 exacta 10 with 2,4,5 ($24)
• $3 trifecta key 10 with 2,4,5 ($18)
• 20-cent superfecta 10 with 2,4,5 with 2,4,5 with all ($8.40)

Grade 2 heroine #5 Soul of An Angel was a clear third in the Personal Ensign S. (G1) while going 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga in her latest venture and cuts back in trip on this occasion. One of three in the field for Saffie Joseph, the five-year-old has kept excellent company since joining this barn and will relish the measure of class relief in this dash. Her 1-for-18 mark at Gulfstream is a major concern, but the mare will make the frame with something resembling her top performance. 

#4 Maryquitecontrary has hit the board in each of her 13 tries on this oval and will be moving as well as any inside the final furlong for Eddie Plesa. I don’t feel that she will win the race with the lack of early pace signed on for the contest, but she is too honest to ignore with Edgard Zayas in the controls. The daughter of First Dude will make one run late. 

Joseph’s #2 Imonra is not super consistent, but the Violence filly is capable of popping a big one on her best day, and she has finished first or second on six occasions at Gulfstream from 10 career attempts, too. The stalker figures to sit a fine trip while saving ground throughout beneath Miguel Vasquez.