The Princess Rooney was the final leg of an all-stakes pick-four wager that returned $215.20 for every $1 wagered on the correct combination. (Charts, Equibase)
Dream Supreme earned her ninth win from 14 career starts Saturday at Calder, winning the $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. III) by 4 3/4 lengths in the feature race of Calder's "Summit of Speed" card. Under Pat Day, Dream Supreme completed the six furlongs in 1:10.48 on a fast track."Down the backside, I let the speed go on and worked my way to the outside and she went after them coming off the turn," said Day. "She went to the lead and kind of galloped on to the wire with very, very mild encouragement on my part." The win marks the second straight open-length victory for owner George Steinbrenner's Kinsman Stable and trainer Bill Mott, who one race earlier sent out Kinsman Stable's Illusioned to win the $250,000 Carry Back Stakes under Jorge Chavez. Illusioned won the six-furlong sprint by 4 1/2 lengths over Beyond Brilliant, the 9-5 favorite after the scratch of morning-line choice City Zip."My congratulations to Mr. Steinbrenner on a big afternoon," said Day. "He won a ball game (Steinbrenner's New York Yankee's defeated the Florida Marlins in extra innings) and a couple of stakes here. The team was hot today and I was happy to be a part of it." The Princess Rooney win was the third on the year for Dream Supreme (Seeking the Gold--Spinning Round, by Dixieland Band), who came into the race after finishing second to Dat You Miz Blue in the Vagrancy Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park last month. Her only other loss on the year came at the hands of Hidden Assets in the Shirley Jones Handicap (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park in February. The 4-year-old homebred filly earned $240,000 for the win."I would think the Ballerina (Saratoga on Aug. 26) would be next for her," said Mott. "She's already won two Grade 1s and doesn't have much more to prove. We tried her against the colts in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) last year and she ran well ... only got beat four lengths. I wouldn't rule it out, but I'd say we probably won't try that again. Right now, it's just a joy for her owner to see her run." Hidden Assets finished second in the Princess Rooney, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Sugar N Spice. Penny Blues came home fourth, followed by Wired to Fly, Precious Feather, Tugger, Vague Memory, and Dynamite Diablo.3-5 favorite Dream Supreme returned $3.20, $2.20, and $2.10. Hidden Assets paid $2.80 and $2.40 and completed the $9 exacta. Sugar N Spice was worth $4.60 to show.