Kerry’s Kiss made Saffie Joseph Jr.'s streak in the Princess Rooney look like a routine habit
The daughter of Vino Rosso wire-to-wire dominated the G3 contest at Gulfstream Park to capture her fourth consecutive victory, while her trainer secured the race for the fourth straight year. The grand prize was an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1)
HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— Fillies come and go, but the Princess Rooney Stakeskeeps landing in the very same hands. Saffie Joseph Jr. extended his extraordinary mastery over one of the defining events of the Gulfstream Park season on Saturday, as Kerry’s Kiss wire-to-wire captured the 40th running of the traditional G3 contest over 1400 meters.
Three Witches (Into Mischief) launched the streak in 2023. Soul of an Angel (Atreides) carried the torch in 2024 prior to her triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and Haulin Ice (Coal Front) supplied the third chapter twelve months ago. Now it fell upon Kerry’s Kiss to push the tally to four consecutive victories, a task she accomplished leaving little room for doubt.
Edwin Gonzalez capitalized on the natural speed of the daughter of Vino Rosso to grab the early initiative and, under a torrential downpour that began moments before the start, controlled the tempo at will over a track rated good.
Kerry’s Kiss set demanding fractions of 22s12/100 and 44s71/100, yet showed no signs of feeling the strain. Simply Joking (Practical Joke), the 6-5 favorite, tracked her every move from a stalking position under Juan Hernández, while Anakarina (Vekoma) also raced within striking distance.
Approaching the home turn, the contrast in body language between the two principals became clear. While Gonzalezsat virtually motionless aboard Kerry’s Kiss, Simply Joking was already being asked for her effort without cutting into the margin. The pacesetter entered the stretch with plenty in reserve, shifted gears when her jockey finally called upon her, and asserted full authority in the closing stages.
The margin was 1 1/2 lengths over Simply Joking, who held off the late rush of Just Philly (Philanthropist) by a length for second. Anakarina crossed in fourth and Indy Bay (Take Charge Indy) finished fifth, completing the efforts for Joseph's remaining two runners. The final time recorded was 1m25s33/100.
“My intent was to secure a prominent position and, if someone else wanted to lead, let them go. But she is in such phenomenal form right now that she essentially carried me straight to the front on her own,” recalled Gonzalez. “I was able to give her a quick breather and waited until we entered the lane to ask her. When I let her run, she sustained a very strong finish.”
The transformation of Kerry’s Kiss since changing hands has been remarkable. Epic’s Horses, BAG Racing Stables, and White House Stables acquired her via private purchase following an allowance score at Oaklawn Park. She had been competing around two turns there, but Mark Cornett identified that her early speed could yield far greater results over single-turn distances.
That assessment proved spot on. Transferred to Joseph, she captured the Musical Drama Stakes (L) wire-to-wire over 1300 meters before duplicating that success in the Sheer Drama Stakes (L) over 1400 meters. Her victory in the Princess Rooney extends her winning streak to four consecutive races, proving beyond doubt that the turn back in distance has brought out her absolute best.
“At Oaklawn they were running her over 1700 meters; she would display speed and tire in the final 100 meters. One of the qualities I always look for is a fast horse capable of cutting back to a single turn. It worked out perfectly,” explained Cornett.
For Joseph, the victory carried special significance given the continuation of a sequence rarely matched in the sport.
“Winning the first one with Three Witches was fantastic. Then came Soul of an Angel, who went on to win at the Breeders’ Cup. By the time you reach three, you are immensely grateful, but when you are competitive, you want to keep the streak going. To win a fourth is truly a blessing,” noted the conditioner from Lexington, where he watched the race unfold on television.
Beyond prolonging an remarkable stat line, Kerry’s Kiss secured an even more valuable reward.
The Princess Rooney is part of the Win and You’re In series, which earned her a guaranteed, expenses-paid spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland.
Joseph knows that path intimately: Soul of an Angel traversed it in 2024 before celebrating victory at Del Mar.
“I believe she has earned the opportunity. It represents another tier of competition, but she possesses tremendous speed and, provided all goes well, we will discuss it. There is a strong likelihood we will head there,” projected the trainer.
Kerry’s Kiss found her ideal distance, holds a four-race win streak, and now looks ahead to the Breeders’ Cup. Saffie Joseph Jr., in the process, has turned the Princess Rooney into his personal domain: four years, four distinct fillies, and four consecutive victories.
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