Epic Horses, BAG Racing Stables, and The White House Stables' Kerry's Kiss broke on top and was never threatened thereafter in the $187,750 Princess Rooney Stakes (G3) Sept. 12 at Gulfstream Park, while providing trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. with his fourth consecutive victory in the 7-furlong stakes for fillies and mares.
While prevailing over 6-5 favorite Simply Joking by a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event for fillies and mares, Kerry's Kiss also earned a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
In extending her trainer's Princess Rooney streak to four in a row, Kerry's Kiss followed in the hoofprints of Three Witches (2023), Soul of an Angel (2024), and Haulin Ice (2025).
"It's amazing. When we won the first one with Three Witches, it was great to win the first one. To come back and win with Soul of an Angel, who won the Breeders' Cup, and then when you win three, you're really grateful," said Joseph, who watched the Princess Rooney in a hotel room in Lexington. "To win the fourth one, we're obviously grateful and thankful to be able to have these horses. To have the opportunity is a blessing."
Kerry's Kiss was under complete control for jockey Edwin Gonzalez throughout the race that was run in a driving rain that began shortly before post time. The 4-year-old daughter of Vino Rosso showed the way while setting fractions of :22.12 for the first quarter and :44.71 for a half-mile over a track rated good.
Simply Joking and jockey Juan Hernandez were well within striking range throughout, but the pacesetter continued to travel smoothly on the turn and into the stretch. As the favorite was being asked for her run without making progress, Kerry's Kiss drew off to score a decisive victory. Simply Joking held second, a length ahead of late-running Just a Philly.
Kerry's Kiss ($6.40) ran 7 furlongs in 1:25.33 to win her first graded stakes and third stakes victory in a row for her ownership. The filly, who was bred Kentucky by Virginia Moore and Malia Hopkins, was privately purchased by her current owners following an allowance win in April at Oaklawn Park.
"We bought her off a two-turn race and we bought her with one-turn races in mind the whole time," said partner Mark Cornett, who negotiated the private sale. "And we were right. She's a different filly going one turn. She can carry her speed going one turn."
The Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint is definitely on the radar for Cornett and Joseph, who visited the Del Mar winner's circle with Soul of an Angel following her victory in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
"I think she earned the shot. It's a different level of race, but she's fast and if everything continues to go good, we'll talk it over," Joseph said. "I think it's a strong possibility that it's going to happen."
