Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint hopefuls battle for a berth in the championships Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The Grade 3 $200,000 Princess Rooney, named for the inaugural 1984 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and 1983 Kentucky Oaks winner, lured a field of 8 over its traditional, 7-furlong trip.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in Saturday’s 15% Win Boost (up to $20) on Saturday’s full card from Gulfstream.Let’s meet the contenders for the Princess Rooney (Race 10):#1-VINCEY GIRL: Rallying and runaway winner of the Sheer Drama Stakes August 15 over the track and distance for red-hot trainer Jose D’Angelo. The barn got a big boost when Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Bentornato returned from a 10-month break to win Churchill Downs’ $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes. Race Day filly has split decisions in recent stakes bids with Princess Rooney rival Haulin Ice.#2-HAULIN ICE: Four-stakes winning streak snapped last out when runner-up to Vincey Girl in the August 16 Sheer Drama. Distance is the concern as she’s 1-for-5 over 7 furlongs, including that recent loss as the 3-5 favorite. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. won this race in 2023 (Three Witches) and 2024 (Soul of an Angel) and had 4 of the 8 entries on Saturday. Edgard Zayas won the 2013 Princess Rooney in its last year at Calder before moving to Gulfstream.#3-ULTIMATE AUTHORITY: Private purchase has moved from Tim Yakteen’s Santa Anita barn to Saffie Joseph Jr.’s Palm Meadows base. Four works for the new stable, including a bullet Aug. 29 when blistering 3 furlongs in :34.75. Daughter of Practical Joke raced around 2 turns in her last 7 of 8 career starts. Jockey Skyler Spanabel takes the mount on the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes third-place finisher. One of 4 chances here for Joseph’s 3-peat bid in this race.#4-NERAZURRI: No threat third-place finisher in the Sheer Drama Stakes behind return rivals Vincey Girl and Haulin Ice last out. That was this 3-year-old filly’s first stakes big against elder runners. Runner-up against fellow sophomores in the Azalea prior to that – both recent starts at Saturday’s 7-furlong trip over this track as well as an allowance win in April. Edgar Perez rides for Angel Quiroz. Only a pair of 3-year-olds have won the Princess Rooney since it’s 1985 inaugural, coming in 1986 and 1990.#5-REPUTATION: Gustavo Delgado trainee returns home after summering at Saratoga and winning an allowance at Ellis Park in Kentucky and the Tyson Gilpin Stakes at Virginia’s Colonial Downs. Bolt d’Oro filly won at Gulfstream in April to break her maiden by more than 8 lengths. She’s raced exclusively vs. 3-year-olds to date and steps up in class under jockey Miguel Vazquez. The last sophomore to win the Princess Rooney came in 1990.#6-MYSTIC LAKE: Likely favorite for 2-time Princess Rooney winner Saffie Joseph Jr. as he eyes a 3-peat in this race. Mystic Lake won the Sugar Swirl and Grade 2 Inside Information over the Gulfstream main track this past winter and has been a successful road warrior since. She won the Memorial Day Sprint at Lone Star Park in Texas, the Dashing Beauty at Delaware Park and the Pink Ribbon at Charles Town in West Virginia in her last 3 starts. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez takes the reins for the first time on this $1.3 million earner who has won 10 of 19 starts.#7-GALLOP D’HERMES: Longshot was 93-1 when never threatening several of these rivals last out in the Sheet Drama and 49-1 when no match in the Musical Romance to some of the same. Medaglia d’Oro filly finished a distant eighth in this race last year at 60-1 odds. Trainer Dante Zanelli comes into the racing week 1-for-51 on the year, posting his lone victory on January 18.#8-CLARET BERET: Fourth and final 3-peat bidder for Saffie Joseph Jr. in the Princess Rooney, this private purchase joined the barn in spring. Not This Time 4-year-old immediately paid dividends with a smashing, 19-3/4 length victory in handicap conditions in May in her only lifetime start at Gulfstream. She took star sprint filly Vahva to a three-quarter length runner-up in the Grade 2 Chicago at Churchill Downs before a troubled trip and tiring sixth in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Ballerina. Micah Husbands was aboard for the Chicago and returns to the saddle.

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The $2.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus.Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)2-Soho Santorini A (10-1)-Aussie bred put in an even effort in what appeared to be a needed start. Tonight, gets some class relief, post relief, and this will be the 2nd time for Lasix. Went the back half in .55 and should be forwardly placed throughout. The price is right to take a swing in a race without a true standout.5-Hazelville (3-1)-Took a picture on 9-1 then bumped up to this level but was stuck with post 7 after winning the last race from post 8. Brent Holland returns for his 3rd straight steer and could be sitting on a big try.Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)2-Twiggs Pub (10-1)-Price shot goes from Post 7 to post 2 and needs a top of the stack trip to win at this level. Austin Siegelman is in a position to work an advantageous trip and pay off at a juicy price.6-All Alone (7/2)-Raced wide in last, the 1st half went in 57.2, then the 4-year-old paced the 2nd half in a quick 54.1, but could only finish 2nd. This will be the 1st start for trainer Jared Bako who wins at a 30% clip after a claim. Colin Kelly steers, he came a close 2nd two starts back and could offer a fair price.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)2-Sweet Beach Life (5/2)-Went gate to wire in last and now moves in from post 5. Same game plan should be happening tonight and the race most likely will go through the Travis Alexander 4-year-old.4-Mac’s Delight (8-1)-Had no chance in last, was 10-lengths back at the first call and although rolling the back half in 54.2 couldn’t cash a check. Price shot could land in the pocket and post a trip out win.Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)2-Saddle Up (2-1)-Here is a winner of 3 straight and 6 of 7 for 4 different barns. Would love to play completely against the small price and look for more value. But it doesn’t make sense against this field with this post draw.5-Southwind Petyr (8-1)-Makes the first start for the DiDomenico barn and George Brennan has options from this starting slot. Could leave, land in a good early seat or could stalk and hope for hot fractions. Can beat this group with the right trip and also looks like a gimmick use at a nice price.$2 Late Pick 42,5/2,6/2,4/2,5Total Bet=$32Check me out on Twitter!

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $158,748 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $172,619 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET1/ST BET AI MOST LIKELY PARX WINNERParx | Race 4 | 2:01 pm ET | #4 Zanduhoc (30%)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFort Erie | Race 6 | 5:20 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 6 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRobert Gorham | Horseshoe Indy, Thistledown | 6 of 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Monmouth | jockey Samuel Marin | 4 wins from 8 mounts on closing dayPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X Wager Rewards Points | The Curragh, Irish Champions Weekend | all racesBet $100, Get $10 | Hastings | today’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Red Shores (harness) | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTEMonmouth Park | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Los Alamitos feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $5,819 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 12:45 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $19,030 | Monmouth Park | begins Race 4 | 2:17 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $131,407 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:50 pm ETPick 5 | $40,113 | Delaware Park | begins Race 5 | 2:53 pm ETPick 5 | $5,594 | Delaware Park | begins Race 6 | 3:25 pm ETPick 4 | $7,728 | Delaware Park | begins Race 7 | 3:57 pm ETPick 6 | $20,950 | Los Alamitos | begins Race 3 | 5:01 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $8,393 | Gulfstream Park | Race 10 | 5:35 pm ET1/ST BET AI MOST LIKELY GULFSTREAM PICK 6 WINNERGulfstream | Race 5 | 2:50 pm ET | #7 Merlin (30%)KEY RACESDelaware Park | Race 3 | 1:49 pm ET | Small Wonder StakesBelmont at the Big A | Race 4 | 2:35 pm ET | Athenia StakesDelaware Park | Race 6 | 3:25 pm ET | First State Dash StakesMonmouth | Race 7 | 3:44 pm ET | Joey P. HandicapWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:30 pm ET | Victorian Queen StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 5:03 pm ET | Bull Page StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 3 | 1:43 pm ETLaurel Park | Race 5 | 2:09 pm ETBelmont at the Big A | Race 5 | 3:05 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHGary Capuano | Delaware, Laurel | 7 of 8 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Belmont at the Big A | jockey Kendrick Carmouche | 4 wins, 2 seconds from 11 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMGulfstream Park: Local Handicappers’ Mandatory Pick 6 Payout SelectionsScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays for SundayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park has a mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6 today. The $131,407 carryover adds juice to the wager, which begins in Race 5 at approximately 2:50 pm ET.Here are the local handicappers' picks.Ron Nicoletti: download here.Brian Nadeau: download here.Samantha Perry: download here.

The first week of the compact September meeting at Churchill Downs concludes with a 10-race card that kicks off at the normal 12:45 eastern start time. Here are a few horses I will build my Sunday Funday around in Louisville. Hopefully deuces are wild under the twin spires this afternoon!Race 4:My best bet of the day comes in this two-turn MSW for 2YOs over the main track where #2 Instant Impact makes his third lifetime start for trainer Kenny McPeek. The Upstart colt debuted in a race washed off the grass at Saratoga going 7-furlongs in July where he tired late to finish fourth, but bounced back with a big effort in start #2. The $200,000 FTS August 2024 purchase was no match for the winner at Ellis Park that day in late August over their unique one-mile configuration at the Pea Patch, but finished very nicely over a dead inside that afternoon to earn second. The added ground and the racing experience should lead to a career best effort for the second choice on the morning line in a race that kicks off the middle Pick 4.Play: #2 Instant Impact (7-2 ML)Race 7:I do not trust the favorites in this MSW event for fillies and mares at 6-furlongs, so I will take a swing with #2 Mo Complex. The Choctaw Racing Stable filly got off to a solid start to her career last August at Monmouth Park with a third-place finish for a barn that rarely has their runners fully cranked at first asking. Unfortunately, we did not see the daughter of Complexity again until nearly a year later at Ellis Park when she got out of the gate slow and never got into the race from there. She will certainly have to run a lot better than she did that day in Henderson last month, but trainer Lindsay Schultz sports a positive ROI over her career with runners making their second start off the bench. An improved effort is definitely expected. Hopefully it is good enough to earn the victory.Play: #2 Mo Complex (12-1 ML)Race 8:The pace is unlikely to be chaotic in this second-level allowance over the main track, but it should be honest given the presence of #4 Big Boat and #5 Guns Loaded. #1 Gettinby could even be a pace player. I am hoping this sets things up for #2 Perfect Force. The Gun Runner colt moved into the Steve Asmussen barn after the passing of the great D. Wayne Lukas. Asmussen spotted him more realistically last out in an allowance at Ellis Park after a trio of stakes tries this spring under the handling of the Coach. Perfect Force finished a modest third of six in his return race at the Pea Patch losing to a David Jacobson runner that earned a 96 Beyer and has won 4 of his last 7 tries. Hopefully, North America’s all-time leading trainer can get this colt back to his best efforts this winter in Arkansas. If so, he stands a big shot to spring the upset.Play: #2 Perfect Force (8-1 ML)

Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a low 14% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)5-G A Speed Expert (9/5)-The Jason Irwin 4-year-old made its Nfld debut last week and DH'd for 2nd. Left from post 6 and was double bubbled into the opening turn and that might have cost the win. It won't be 5/2 this week but should be better with a race on the oval. Aaron Merriman will blast out, but this time meets a field without much gate speed. Should get the top without burning much gas and can reward backers at a small price.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)6-Warrawee Yang (9/2)-Started from post 7 in last and that trip didn't work. Then 2 back left from post 6 and was hung in the opening quarter and that trip took its toll. This is the 2nd start here in sequence, has won 6 of 22 races this year, and could be sitting on a big try.7-Kildare King (9/2)-Beat this kind 2 back and then was hung the mile leaving from post 8. Actually, has had post 8 in 3 of the last 4 races and now gets a bit of post relief. Starts outside of the only one that could out-leave this veteran but will rely on Merriman to work a winning trip.9-Legacy Affair (5/2)-Ships back from Scioto and lands at a level where the 4-year-old mare has excelled. Has taken 5 pictures in 16 starts and has won 3 times against this kind since the end of June. The price on the 4-year-old mare would be much smaller with a choice post draw. Needs to get a decent early seat and #2 and #3 should show early speed. With a smooth trip, is more than capable of cashing the top check.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)6-Ideal Funding N (2-1)-This 7-year-old is having a very nice 2025, winning 5 out of 16 starts and took a picture in its Nfld debut last week. Got on the engine, didn't look back with Merriman between the pipes, and was claimed by the Adam Short barn. That outfit has preformed well over the last 30 days, posting 27% winner and Merriman sticks. This looks like a spot to immediately reward the new connections.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)7-Winter Soldier (3-1)-The Stable.ca bought this 4-year-old in a private purchase at the beginning of August. So far it looks like a sharp buy and now drops to face similar to its win on 8-25. Beat the NW8000 in his debut, then lost by a neck after stepping up to face Open Handicap company. Has shown enough gate speed to get a close-up seat and if AMac provides a sharp steer it could be picture time.9-Magical Journey (12-1)-Should fit with this crew and the morning line price is right to take a swing. The question is whether Chris Lems can get away into a decent seat from the 2nd tier. The 2 starting on the inside have some gate speed and could help the cause if they provide a path when the wings fold.$3 Late Pick 45/6,7,9/6/7,9Total Bet=$18Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X Wager Rewards Points | Leopardstown Irish Champions Weekend | all races$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Woodbine | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTEColonial Downs | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Woodbine Mile Challenge | details$40 Los Al feeder | details$40 Canterbury feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $12,761 | Colonial Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:30 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $111,260 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 6 | 3:28 pm ETMandatory Payout Super Hi 5 | $80,960 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 12 | 7:12 pm ET--Gulfstream will have a mandatory payout Sunday1/ST BET AI MOST LIKELY LAUREL STAKES WINNERLaurel | Race 7 | 3:02 pm ET | #6 No Show Sammy Jo (30%)KEY RACESLeopardstown | Race 7 | 12:30 pm ET | Irish Champion Stakes | analysisLaurel | Race 6 | 2:33 pm ET | Sensible Lady Turf DashLaurel | Race 7 | 3:02 pm ET | All Along StakesChurchill Downs | Race 6 | 3:21 pm ET |Pocahontas StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:33 pm ET | Laurel DashChurchill Downs | Race 7 | 3:54 pm ET | Locust Grove StakesWoodbine | Race 6 | 3:54 pm | Summer StakesMonmouth | Race 8 | 4:06 pm ET | Pinot Grigio StakesChurchill Downs | Race 8 | 4:26 pm ET | Iroquois StakesWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:27 pm ET | Ontario Matron StakesChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:58 pm ET | Open Mind StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 5:02 pm ET | Natalma StakesMonmouth | Race 10 | 5:02 pm ET | Presious Passion StakesChurchill Downs | Race 10 | 5:29 pm ET | Louisville Thoroughbred Society StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:39 pm ET | Woodbine MileBelmont at the Big A | Race 10 | 5:49 pm ET | Floral Park StakesWoodbine | Race 10 | 6:12 pm ET | Vigil StakesHastings | Race 6 | 7:45 pm ET | British Columbia OaksLos Alamitos | Race 9 | 8:11 pm ET | E.B Johnson StakesHastings | Race 7 | 8:30 pm ET | British Columbia DerbyLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 8 | 4:29 pm ETGulfstream Park | Race 10 | 5:36 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 11 | 6:01 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMark Casse | Colonial Downs | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | 20-cent jackpot pick 6 hit on single ticket for $76,126PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMIrish Champions Stakes Video PreviewJeremy Plonk: Race of Week Woodbine MileJeremy Plonk: Woodbine Mandatory Pick 6 Payout Analysis for SaturdayScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section