Princess Rooney Stakes, Smile Sprint moved to September

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The spring-summer stakes schedule at Gulfstream was released this past weekend, with the most noteworthy news the switching of the Grade 2 Princess Rooney and the Grade 3 Smile Sprint from early summer to Sept. 5. The distance of the Princess Rooney has also been cut back from seven furlongs to six, with the purse increased $50,000, to $300,000.

The Princess Rooney has been a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

“The Princess Rooney and Smile were moved to September in hopes of attracting more participation,” said Mike Lakow, Gulfstream’s vice president of racing. “We changed the distance because we noticed a void in filly and mare Grade 1 and Grade 2 races under seven furlongs.”

Another highlight of the program is the $1.4 million Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-olds sired by accredited Florida stallions. The series will be run for the 39th time.