Dream Supreme dominates Rooney

MIAMI - Dream Supreme turned in a thoroughly dominating performance for an easy 4 3/4-length win over Hidden Assets and seven other overmatched fillies and mares in Saturday's $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder.

The outstanding performance capped off a perfect day in south Florida for owner George Steinbrenner, coming on the heels of a similarly one-sided victory by his 3-year-old homebred Illusioned in the $250,000 Carry Back Stakes and an extra-inning win by the New York Yankees over the Florida Marlins at nearby Pro Player Stadium.

The Grade 3 Princess Rooney was the richest of five stakes races on Saturday's $1 million Summit of Speed program. It also capped off the pick four, which paid $215.20 for a $1 ticket correctly selecting the winners of the Calder Turf Sprint (Texas Glitter), Azalea Stakes (Hattiesburg), Carry Back, and Princess Rooney. The winning combination was 4-2-8-2.

Steinbrenner and trainer Bill Mott couldn't have asked for a better trip than the one Pat Day orchestrated for Dream Supreme. She sat off early leaders Hidden Assets and Dynamite Diablo, angled out to the better part of the track to engage Hidden Assets into the stretch, then effortlessly drew clear while well within herself through much of the final furlong.

Hidden Assets was 3 1/2 lengths in front of 50-1 Sugar N Spice.

Dream Supreme, a two-time Grade 1 winner last year at 3, paid $3.20 after running six furlongs in 1:10.48 over a fast track.

"It was a good day," said Steinbrenner following the Princess Rooney. "Give all the credit to Bill [Mott]. I just keep track of the horses. He makes all the decisions."

"I was a little concerned after the break since she had an inside post," said Mott. "But she really got right up into the race and by the time she got to the half-mile pole Pat had her in great shape."

Mott said Dream Supreme would make her next start in defense of her title in Saratoga's Ballerina Handicap on Aug. 26.