Gulfstream: Soul of an Angel Tops Entries for Saturday’s G3 Princess Rooney

By David Joseph —-

Susie Raisher Photo
Soul of an Angel Tops Entries for Saturday’s G3 Princess Rooney

‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race Draws Field of 10

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – The road to the Breeders’ Cup will run through Gulfstream Park next Saturday, when a field of 10 is scheduled to compete in the $220,000 Princess Rooney Invitational (G3).

The seven-furlong stakes for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, is a designated ‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race. The winner will receive a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita

Soul of An Angel enters the Princess Rooney off a third-place finish in the Aug. 23 Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga following a slow start. Purchased privately and transferred to Joseph following a sixth-place finish in the March 9 Azeri (G2) at Oaklawn, the 6-year-old daughter of Atreides scored at first asking, winning the Ruffian (G2) at Aqueduct by 4 ¾ lengths. Following a fifth-place finish in the Ogden Phipps(G1), she lost a head-bob to champion Idiomatic in the Molly Pitcher (G3) at Monmouth and finished third in the Personal Ensign.

Joseph also entered C2 Racing and partners’ Haulin Ice, who captured the seven-furlong Azalea two starts back, and Vegso Racing Stable’s Imonra, a Grade 3 stakes-placed daughter of Violence who finished fourth in the Sheer Drama last time out.

Virginia and James Gamble’s Beth’s Dream, who won the seven-furlong Sheer Drama by four lengths, was entered in the Princess Rooney on a four-race winning streak. The 6-year-old daughter of Jess’s Dream is trained by Victor Barboza Jr., who also entered Skull Stable LLC’s Battle Cry, a 6-year-old mare with 13 career wins.

Beth’s Dream is eligible for FTBOA’s $20,000 bonus available to all registered Florida-breds in the race with $10,000 going to a winner, $6,000 for second, $4,000 for third.

Rodney Lundock’s Maryquitecontrary, who finished second behind Beth’s Dream in the Sheer Drama after racing in traffic, is a Grade 1-placed graded-stakes winner, having captured the 2023 Inside Information (G2) prior to finishing third in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland. Eddie Plesa Jr. trains the 5-year-old daughter of First Dude.

Abel Rangel’s Pacholli, a Group 1 winner in Uruguay, is scheduled to make her U.S. debut in the Princess Rooney, Hernan Parra trains the 6-year-old mare who has gone unraced since finishing off the board in the Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan.

CJ Thoroughbreds and RAF Productions LTD’s Cousin Kristi, a New York-bred allowance winner at Saratoga last time out for trainer Cam Gambolati; California Racing Partners and partners’ Unsolved Mystery, an allowance winner at Colonial Downs in her 2024 debut for trainer Jorge Delgado; and Gandolfi Stables and El Herraje LLC’s Gallop d’Hermes, a last-out starter allowance winner for trainer Dante Zanelli Jr.; round out the field.

The Princess Rooney will be supported on next Saturday’s program by the $100,000 Ginger Punch, a 1 1/16-mile handicap on turf for fillies and mares; the $95,000 Bob Humphrey Turf Sprint, a five-furlong turf dash for 3-year-olds and up; and the $95,000 Aventura, a mile stakes for 2-year-olds.

About The Stronach Group and 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). For more information, please email david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.