Princess Gibraltar begins U.S. career in Steve Pini Memorial

Princess Gibraltar crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Europe over the summer, and like many imports before her, she will start her new life stateside in Boston, headlining the $75,000 Steve Pini Memorial Stakes on Saturday at Suffolk Downs.

The 4-year-old French-bred Rock of Gibraltar filly leads a full gate of 10, with one also-eligible, in the about one-mile and 70-yard turf race for females who have never won a graded stakes race.

Princess Gibraltar has finished fourth or better in seven of her last eight starts. She spent most of her first three seasons of racing in her native France, where she finished third last year in the Prix de Bagatelle at Maisons-Laffitte going about a mile. Two starts back, she traveled to Germany and won the Preis der Sparkasse Dortmund on May 25, also at about a mile. Princess Gibraltar returned to France for her most recent start, on July 8, running fourth in the Grand Prix Anjou Bretange at Nantes at about a mile.

She breezed a half-mile in 52.80 seconds over the turf course at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track Aug. 25.

Princess Gibraltar gets Lasix for the first time Saturday. Mike Luzzi will ride Princess Gibraltar for new trainer Christophe Clement.

Judy’s Chance returns to softer competition in the Steve Pini Memorial after having a five-race win streak snapped in the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes on July 30 at Monmouth Park.

A 4-year-old daughter of First Dude, Judy’s Chance was previously undefeated in 2017, racking up turf wins at Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth, and Parx Racing. She set the pace to the stretch in the 1 1/8-mile Matchmaker and tired to finish fourth.

Judy’s Chance comes into Saturday’s race off a pair of bullet works at Monmouth Park, most recently covering five furlongs from the gate in 59.20 seconds Aug. 26.

Judy’s Chance is trained by Derek Ryan for owner Judy Sessa. Regular rider Wilmer Garcia will have the mount.

Also entered is Queen Caroline, who won the Nellie Mae Cox Stakes in June at Laurel Park. Michael Matz trains the 4-year-old Blame filly for owner Amy Moore.