Curlin’s Approval turned in one of the more impressive performances in her stellar career in Saturday’s Princess Rooney S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park, drawing off in the stretch to win the seven-furlong contest by 4 1/2-lengths.
Co-owned by Alter’s Racing Stable and Bridlewood Farm, Curlin’s Approval has now won four stakes, three of the graded, and $460,015.
With Kinsley Kisses speeding out of the gate for the lead, Curlin’s Approval to up the second spot a little more than a length behind the pacesetter. The two were on even terms in the middle of the turn, then Curlin’s Approval put her head in front at the top of the stretch. Shaken up by Luis Saez, Curlin’s Approval really began to pull clear of the field with an eighth-mile to run, winning by daylight in a swift 1:21.68 on the fast main track.
“She made us proud, like she has in her other graded stakes,” said Happy Alter, who also bred the daughter of Curlin. “We put the speed back in her with the [work] in 57 and change. We wanted her to go about 59 but she’s such a special filly that she went faster than the designed time, but it didn’t hurt her. Then she blew out in 35 for the race and just has been showing all the class a filly could show. We’re proud of her. It’s nice to win here, in front of people that we know. I know they’ll be rooting for us when we go to the Breeders’ Cup, too.”
The Princess Rooney was a designated Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ race, meaning that Curlin’s Approval is now guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) this autumn at Del Mar.
