NEWS
Game Face much the best in Princess Rooney
Posted: Saturday, July 11, 2009 5:29 PM
GAME FACE
Jim Lisa Photo
To view the Princess Rooney Handicap, click here.
by Tim Nichols
Zabeel Racing International’s Game Face finally broke through in a Grade 1 race as she drew off to a commanding 6 ¾-length victory in the $350,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) on Saturday at Calder Race Course.
The win also gave the four-year-old Menifee filly a starting spot in the Sentient Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on November 6 during the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.
Jockey Edgar Prado and Game Face, the 9-to-5 favorite after early scratches by Indian Blessing and Marina Ballerina, advanced four wide on the turn and pulled away easily in the stretch to win the six-furlong race in 1:10.74 as the 9-to-5 favorite on a track rated as fast.
Entering off a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Vagrancy Handicap (G2) on May 24 off a 22-day layoff (video), Saturday’s performance proved that her Vagrancy form probably was just an aberration.
“She trained great since [the Vagrancy] and the seven weeks between then and this race I think made a big difference,” said Omar Trevino, racing manager for Zabeel Racing International.
Game Face chased pacesetter Keep the Peace in fourth, then second, through a half-mile in :45.65. Once Prado rallied his filly to the lead in early stretch, the finish was never in doubt.
“The first thing that I noticed about her was that she wanted to run a bit too early,” Prado said, “but she rated for me and it was all about finishing strong from there.”
Keep the Pace held on for second, 1 ¼ lengths in front of third-place finisher Orinoquia.
Bred in Kentucky, Game Face improved to seven wins from 14 career starts and $689,349 in earnings. She is out of the unraced Gone West mare Galleon of Gold.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor for THOROUGHBRED TIMES
