How to Bet the Princess Rooney Stakes

An accomplished field of eight fillies and mares will travel seven-eighths on the Gulfstream Park main oval in Saturday’s $250,000 Princess Rooney S. (G2), a “Win & You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Here is a look at the field:

#1 CURLIN’S APPROVAL (6-5) – Defending champ exits a fine local stakes score and her best makes her a prime player. Happy Alter trainee is an eight-time winner on the strip and can win on or off the pace. Luis Saez has the mount.

#2 MS LOCUST POINT (5-1) – Grade-2 queen from the John Servis barn looks to be the inside speed of the field. Fleet chestnut shows two bullet drills in preparation of today and gets the nod as the wire-to-wire selection at a fine morning-line number.

#3 MY MISS TAPIT (4-1) – Todd Pletcher pupil comes in fresh, romping last time in an April allowance. Four-year-old daughter of Tapit is a perfect three-for-three at Gulfstream and lightly raced sort has room for improvement as well as a potent turn of foot. Looks like a player in the latter stages with Tyler Gaffalione at the controls.

#4 RICH MOMMY (6-1) – 2017 Sugar Swirl (G3) star is a consistent stalker with a turn of foot. Chestnut rallied to be second in advance of today and will be an exotics contender with another step forward.

#5 SHE TAKES HEART (12-1) – Peter Walder claim hooks a tough field while in questionable form. Wilburn mare looks to be in deep.

#6 TREBLE (15-1) – Winning Colors (G3) runner-up adds blinkers for her Gulfstream Park debut. Ron Moquett charge has never been better while first or second in five straight. Macho Uno filly will do her best work inside the final furlong.

#7 STORMY EMBRACE (15-1) – Florida-bred miss has won three-of-four but gets a class test today. A three-time local winner, daughter of Circular Quay is not without a chance second off the layoff and we can expect to see her tracking the early pace.

#8 SPANISH HARLEM (10-1) – Wild card in the field draws outside for Armando De la Cerda. Inconsistent More Than Ready filly romped two back over allowance foes in a lone try on this dirt and four-year-old drilled a bullet half-mile most recently to signal her readiness. Her best gets her in contention if the pace backs up.

Analysis

The affair lacks an abundance of pace and Ms Locust Point should dictate things from the first call. Dialed In filly looms large with a clean break under Jorge Vargas, Jr.

Curlin’s Approval from the rail has good gate presence, as does Stormy Embrace who is drawn near the outside. I expect that trio to gain separation from their foes before turning for home.

Wager

$30 Win #2 MS LOCUST POINT = $30

$10 Exacta Box: 1-2 = $20

$1 Trifecta Box: 1,2,3,7 = $24

Good luck in the Princess Rooney!