A talented group of sprinters will converge on Calder Race Course Saturday for
the annual Summit of Speed program, which includes eight stakes races worth $1.9 million.
Topping the day’s card is the $500,000 Princess Rooney H. (G2), which features
a field of eight that includes Grade 1 winner MADCAP ESCAPADE (Hennessy). The
four-year-old filly earned victories in both the the Shirley Jones H. (G2) and
Madison S. (G3) this year before coming in a disappointing fifth in the Humana
Distaff H. (G1) on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard. The Frank Brothers trainee will
carry the highweight of 120
pounds, including jockey Jerry Bailey. SENSIBLY CHIC (Distorted Humor) enters
the Princess Rooney off a
decisive victory against a talented field in the Vagrancy H. (G2). Prior to that
outing, the five-year-old mare turned in three consecutive Grade 2 runner-up
efforts.
Cornelio Velasquez will ride the chestnut.
Other contenders include MOLTA VITA (Carson City), who came home a close
second in the Humana Distaff and then posted a front-running victory in the Winning
Colors S. The five-year-old mare will tote 115 pounds for the race and be ridden
by Mike Smith. HAPPY TICKET (Anet), who kept her unbeaten streak alive at nine
for nine when annexing the Chicago Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) last out, is also entered for
the Princess Rooney.
The complete field, with riders and weights, is SORBET (Formal Dinner),
Russell Baze, 110; WILD SPEED (Forest Wildcat), Carlos Olivero, 113; Molto Vita;
PROSPECTIVE SAINT (Saint Ballado), Jorge Chavez, 112; Happy Ticket, Eddie
Castro, 117; SAVORTHETIME (Gilded Time), Julio Garcia, 114; Sensibly Chic, 117;
and Madcap Escapade.
Also set for Saturday is the $500,000 Smile Sprint H. (G2), which drew a field
of 10. Grade 1 winner SILVER WAGON (Wagon Limit) will attempt to improve off
his second-place finish in the Met Mile (G1) to Ghostzapper while carrying 116 pounds under Velasquez. DON SIX (Wild Escapade) exits
a victory in the Longfellow S. and earned placings in the Bold Ruler H. (G3) and
Carter H. (G1) prior to that one. He carries the highweight of 118, including
jockey Aaron Gryder.
Horses, with riders and weights, are TOSCANI (Chilito), Jose Lezcano, 113;
Silver Wagon; GREGSON (Cherokee Run), Manoel Cruz, 113; WOKE UP DREAMIN (Holy
Bull), Smith, 117; MISTER FOTIS (Diligence), Jorge Chavez, 111; HITTHEGROUNDRUNNIN (Hazaam), Sebastian Madrid, 111; NIGHTMARE AFFAIR (Out of
Place), Castro, 113; ABBONDANZA (Alphabet Soup), Bailey, 114; PARADISE DANCER (Langfuhr),
Cecilio Penalba, 113; and Don Six.
A field of six will go forward for the $300,000 Carry Back S. (G2), a
six-furlong affair featuring the undefeated LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier). The Greg Gilchrist
trainee comes off a victory in the Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) and will be
attempting his third Grade 2 win and his eighth consecutive score.
The $300,000 Azalea Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) is highlighted by multiple Grade 2
placed HOT STORM (Stormy Atlantic). The Dallas Stewart charge comes off a
third-place finish in the Ms. Preakness S. (G3). Her challengers include FLYING CIRCLE (Pembroke), who has won her last three in a row and will
be making her first graded stakes appearance for conditioner David Fawkes.
Other stakes on the 13-race card include the $100,000 Calder Turf Sprint H.,
$75,000 Cassidy S., $75,000 Birdonthewire S. and $50,000 Rocket Man S.