Princess Rooney, Smile Sprint attract large fields

The marquee names of the cast are DR. ZIC (Milwaukee Brew), who bested

divisional champion Informed Decision (Monarchos) in the Madison S. (G1) prior

to a second in the Hendrie S. (Can-G3) at Woodbine. She's a stakes winner on

dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, but might be more partial to synthetic. DUBAI MAJESTY

(Essence of Dubai), who successfully defended her title in the Winning Colors S.

(G3) last time, faded to the back of the field in this event last season but has

three local wins to her credit. WARBLING (Unbridled's Song), who landed the

Inside Information S. (G2) over the winter, has been working bullets at

Churchill in advance of this race.

Todd Pletcher, who won the 2009 Princess Rooney with Game Face, sends his

Vagrancy H. (G2) winner HOUR GLASS (Petionville), while Summit of Speed veteran

FIRST PASSAGE (Giant's Causeway) leads those who prepped for the Princess Rooney

in the June 12 U Can Do It H. over course and distance.

BIG DRAMA (Montbrook), a sharp winner of the June 12 Ponche H. in his return

from a layoff of more than nine months, will put his five-for-six Calder mark on

the line in the Smile Sprint. Best known for sweeping the Florida Stallion S.

two years ago as a juvenile, the David Fawkes charge has often proven difficult

to beat in one-turn events on fast ground.

MAMBO MEISTER (King Cugat) is a three-time Grade 3 winner on dirt and turf at

Calder, but has never raced less than a mile in 28 career outings. His ability

to wear down some of the fastest horses in the Eastern time zone will be tested.

One who has demonstrated an ability to close is CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (Orientate),

who finished fast in taking the six-furlong Decathlon S. at Monmouth in late

May. The multiple Grade 2-placed runner hopes to follow in the hoofsteps of his

sire, who won this race in 2002 en route to sprint championship honors.

Maryland Sprint H. (G3) upsetter TAQARUB (Aldebaran), True North H. (G2)

second SNAPSHOT (Awesome Again) and Memorial Day H. (G3) runner-up CAUSEWAY'S

KIN (Giant's Causeway) cannot be discounted here, while veterans HOW'S YOUR

HALO (Halo's Image) and GO GO SHOOT (Songandaprayer) are eligible to move

forward in their second starts off extended layoffs.

Eight Belles S. (G3) winner BUCKLEUPBUTTERCUP (Najran) weakened to fifth

after pressing the pace in the one-mile Acorn S. (G1) last out and might rebound

here, while PICA SLEW (Pico Central [Brz]) hopes to maintain her perfect local

record after a comfortable win in the June 12 Leave Me Alone S. Another to watch

is BRONX CITY GIRL (Yankee Gentleman), who was claimed by the dangerous Wolfson

barn following a 7 1/2-length romp against $50,000 claiming foes last time at

Churchill.

The $100,000

Frank

Gomez Memorial had quite the renewal in 2009 when Jackson Bend (Hear No

Evil) and D' Funnybone finished first and second, respectively. Saturday's

edition of the 5 1/2-furlong dash for two-year-olds appears wide open with debut

winner PRINCE OF DANGER (Forest Dancer) and maiden GRANDE SHORES (Black Mambo)

possibly leading the market. Juvenile fillies will have their turn in the

$100,000

J J'sdream S. over the same distance, with AWESOME FEATHER (Awesome of

Course) and PRETTY EXTRAVAGANT (With Distinction) expected to be solid

favorites. The Summit of Speed kicks off with the $100,000

Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint

Championship over five furlongs. All but one of those entered have

appeared in a claiming race at some point, with the exception being the

cross-entered Peace at Dawn.