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Maryquitecontrary Will Make First Start For David Fawkes In ‘Win And You’re In’ Princess Rooney

When last seen at Gulfstream Park, Rodney Lundock's Maryquitecontrary swept to an eye-catching triumph in the seven-furlong Inside Information (G2) on the undercard of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1)

The 4-year-old daughter of First Dude has returned to the Hallandale Beach, Fla. track to regain her winning ways in Saturday's $200,000 Princess Rooney (G3), a 'Win and You're In' Breeders' Cup Challenge Race. The winner of the seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares will earn a fees-paid berth in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita.

Maryquitecontrary, who followed up her Inside Information score with a second-place finish behind Goodnight Olive in the Madison (G1) at Keeneland in her first start for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. The homebred filly went on to finish fourth in the Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga before offering a rare off-the-board finish over Saratoga's muddy track in the Ballerina (G1) last time out.

Now in trainer David Fawkes' barn at Gulfstream, Maryquitecontrary, who will seek her sixth straight success over Gulfstream's main track in the Princess Rooney. She has been installed as the 5-2 favorite in a field of  nine fillies and mares.

“She's been training great since she's been here,” Fawkes said. “Her last work was really good.”

Luca Panici, who has been aboard for the Florida-bred filly's last eight starts, has the return mount on the filly who was saddled by Joe Catanese for her fifth-race winning streak culminating in her Inside Information victory by 2 ½ lengths.

“We have had good results from the beginning. I hope we can keep it going,” Panici said. “Hopefully, back in her hometown, she'll run really good.”

Monarch Stables Inc.'s Last Leaf, a multiple graded stakes-placed daughter of Not This Time, has also done her best running at Gulfstream, where she has won six of 16 starts for trainer Ron Spatz, including a 2 ½-length victory in the 2022 Azalea, in which she handed runner-up Maryquitecontrary her last loss at Gulfstream. Maryquitecontrary got revenge in the Inside Information, in which Last Leaf raced extremely wide and finished fifth.

Currently trained in Kentucky by Eddie Kenneally, Last Leaf has placed in her last four starts in Kentucky, including a third-place finish behind champion Echo Zulu in the Winning Colors (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Miguel Vasquez has the mount aboard Last Leaf (4-1).

Saffie Joseph Jr., who has won the last seven meets at Gulfstream Park, entered three runners in the Princess Rooney Sunday — Edward Seltzer's Bluefield (6-1), e Five Thoroughbreds' Three Witches (8-1) and Sean Defreitas' Rosie's Halo (15-1).

Bluefield will be coming off a three-month layoff since rallying to finish second in the six-furlong Saylorville Stakes at Prairie Meadows. In her prior start in the Musical Romance, a 6 ½ furlong stakes named in honor of the 2012 Princess Rooney and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint champion, Bluefield scored an impressive four-length win over runner-up Saturday rival Poiema.

“She ran really well at Prairie Meadows. The filly that beat her came back to win a stake,” Joseph said. “Seven furlongs might be stretching it, but the key is we learned to ride her patiently.”

e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Three Witches returned from a five-month layoff for Joseph to capture an Aug. 27 optional claiming allowance at seven furlongs, rallying from off the pace to win going away by 4 ¾ lengths.

“Seven furlongs is right down her alley,” Joseph said. “Back at the distance she likes, she's obviously got to improve, but her figures aren't that far off. If she can jump forward, she can win it.”

Sean Defreitas' Rosie's Hero finished fourth in the seven-furlong Sheer Drama at Gulfstream Aug. 19.

“She's probably better at a mile,” Joseph said. “She won and came off the layoff. She didn't run that well but we needed to get a race into her. She's going to move forward big.”

Rosie's Halo finished second, beaten by just three-quarters of a length, behind Maryquitecontrary in a first level allowance in June 22.

“Maryquitecontrary is a different horse now,” Joseph said. “But we'll give it a try.”

Edgard Zayas has the call on Bluefield, while Leonel Reyes and Samy Camacho will ride Three Witches and Rosie's Halo, respectively.

Averill Racing LLC and ATM Racing and Jayson Werth's R Adios Jersey (7-2), a graded stakes-placed multiple stakes winner, is expected to ensure a lively pace in the Princess Rooney. The 5-year-old daughter of Adios Charlie is coming off a dazzling 5 ½-length victory in the seven-furlong Sheer Drama Stakes at Gulfstream Aug. 19.

Edwin Gonzalez has the return call aboard the Florida-bred mare.

BC Racing's Flakes (20-1) is scheduled to take on her elders in the Princess Rooney. The 3-year-old daughter of Frosted earned graded stakes-placed credentials while finishing third in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). The Juan Alvarado trainee has been first or second in three subsequent starts against 3-year-olds, including a victory in the Game Face and a runner-up finish in the Azalea.

Emisael Jaramillo is slated to ride Flakes for the first time Saturday.

AMO Racing USA's Olivia Darling (10-1), who captured an optional claiming allowance in her only start at Gulfstream last December, returns for the Princess Rooney after winning three and finishing second four times in eight subsequent starts. The Jorge Delgado-trained 4-year-old daughter of Palace is coming off an allowance win at Parx Aug. 29.

Jose Morelos, who was aboard for her Gulfstream score, returns to the saddle.

Poiema (8-1) enters the Princess Rooney off an impressive victory in the Edwin Broome Memorial Handicap at Gulfstream in her second start for owner/trainer Joe Catanese. Formerly owned and trainer by Larry Bates, who passed away during the summer, the 4-year-old daughter of Neolithic shook off early pressure while setting the pace in the 5 ½-furlong handicap and drew off to a comfortable 5 ¼-length score.

Edgar Perez has the return call.

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Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Announces Third Annual Calendar Photo Contest Winners

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance hosted its third annual Calendar Photo Contest this year. Twelve winning photos of Thoroughbreds have been selected to be featured in the 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar, sponsored by Repole Stable. Entries were accepted from June 1 to June 30. All photos feature a registered Thoroughbred that is either in residence at or was rehomed by a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization. Each winner will receive a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance swag bag and a copy of the calendar.

Out of the twelve winners, the grand prize winner was selected to be featured on the cover of the calendar and will receive a Tipperary 9300 Ultra Helmet, sponsored by Tipperary Equestrian.

The grand prize winner and cover feature of the calendar is Ann Cheek. The photo, titled 'Sunrise,' captures an early morning sunrise over the sanctuary mares at Our Mims Retirement Haven in Kentucky. Thoroughbreds featured in the photo include Theheartofdixie, Kidnap Katie, and Sweet Ambition. Our Mims Retirement Haven is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization, located in Paris, Kentucky. Established in 2004, this nonprofit organization serves as a sanctuary for a handful of permanently retired Thoroughbreds. Fans from all 50 states and over 20 countries have visited Our Mims. Visitors are welcome by appointment to meet the Haven's residents.

The winning photographs chosen are: 

  • January: 'Snowy Sunset,' photographed by Madison Mavaare and submitted by Tatia Heleski, featuring Unnamed Dream '16 aka Dream for More, who was adopted from New Vocations.
  • February: 'Training with My Girl,' photographed and submitted by Robin Doniger, featuring Sebas Ranger, who was retrained and rehomed by Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation.
  • March: 'A Lucky Day,' photographed and submitted by Trace Deaton, featuring Sun King, who resides at Old Friends. 
  • April: 'Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow,' photographed and submitted by Laura Hempleman, featuring Cowboy Tim, who was retrained and rehomed by CANTER California.
  • May: 'Eventing Dreams,' photographed by Ian Woodley and submitted by Abigail Dinwoodie, featuring Hushin' Russian, who was adopted from LongRun Thoroughbred Adoption Society.
  • June: 'Beach Day,' photographed by Darrell Caudill and submitted by Chelsea Burris, featuring Bundledlike Bernie, who was adopted from Friends of Ferdinand.
  • July: 'A Veteran Leading a Veteran,' photographed and submitted by Brittaney Bragg, featuring Ellie Be Dancing, who resides at Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue.
  • August: 'Ranch Life,' photographed and submitted by Dan McCanna, featuring So Lucky and Administer, who reside at Down the Stretch Ranch.
  • September: 'Sunrise,' photographed and submitted by Ann Cheek, featuring Theheartofdixie, Kidnap Katie, and Sweet Ambition, who reside at Our Mims Retirement Haven.
  • October: 'Happy Halloween,' photographed by Bryan Middleton and submitted by Roxanne Ellingsworth, featuring Witt Way, who was adopted from LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers.
  • November: 'Field Hunters,' photographed by Jessica McPherson Photography and submitted by Kelsey Kreutzer, featuring Lonesome Pine, who was adopted from Second Stride.
  • December: 'What a Wonderful World,' photographed by Taylor Spaude and submitted by Megan Waelti, featuring Tiger's Tip, who was adopted from Secretariat Center.

This year's calendar contest received submissions totaling nearly 200 photographs. Along with the primary winners, additional photos were chosen to be featured in the calendar as honorable mentions. A total of 49 photographs were chosen to be included in the calendar. Featured photographs represented 29 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations, and displayed horses participating in over 13 equestrian disciplines including: Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Eventing, Ranch Work, Barrel Racing, Roping, Endurance, Field Hunter, Liberty, Archery, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Pleasure, and horses in retirement.

“We are thrilled to feature the talents of these Thoroughbreds from various disciplines and accredited organizations in the 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar,” stated Samantha Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Repole Stable for sponsoring the calendar and to Tipperary Equestrian for their generous prize sponsorship. Congratulations to all our winners, and we extend our appreciation to everyone who submitted entries. We received a diverse array of stunning photographs and eagerly anticipate sharing them on social media throughout the year, as well as featuring them in the calendar.”

The 2024 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar, sponsored by Repole Stable, will be available beginning on Giving Tuesday, which is set for Tuesday, November 28, 2023. With every online donation of $100 or more made between November 28 to December 31, donors may opt to receive a calendar by noting “2024 Calendar” in the comment field on the donation form. Calendars will be available on a first come first served basis, until inventory is depleted. Donations can be made at: thoroughbredaftercare.org/donation_now

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Rooney: Congress Will Not Repeal HISA, Newly-Introduced RHSA ‘Stands No Chance Of Becoming Law’

Many of you may have seen that last week a bill was introduced in Congress to repeal the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, better known as HISA. I want to set the record straight as to what this legislation does or doesn't do, assure you that the bill isn't going anywhere in Congress, and conclude that it stands no chance of becoming law.

First things first – it's important to remember that any member of Congress can introduce a bill. They write the language, file the bill, and voila it's been introduced. Just in the 118th Congress, which began in the beginning of 2023, more than 10,000 bills have been introduced. Of those more than 10,000 bills, only 14 have become law. It's important to have that perspective to truly understand why the likelihood of this bill ever becoming law is next to nothing.

Now let's get to this particular bill. Introduced by Congressman Higgins from Louisiana, the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA) has just one cosponsor. In order for any bill to become law, it needs a lot of support, support that comes in the form of “cosponsors.” HISA had more than 260 cosponsors and was supported by both Republicans and Democrats. RHSA only has one, and both are Republicans. Without bipartisan support and many cosponsors, bills don't go anywhere in Congress.

Now to the lack of merits of the legislation. The very same people who spent years and millions of dollars fighting in Congress and in the courts against uniform safety standards and a unified regulator would now have us believe that they are actually for uniform safety standards and a unified regulator. The goal of RHSA is to repeal HISA, return the industry to the state-by-state patchwork regulatory system, and then create a unified regulator and unified safety standards. You read that correctly – this bill suggests rolling back all the work HISA has done, turn the industry back over to the states, and then create its own regulatory body and rules. Instead of trying to work with HISA, within the scope of the law, HISA's detractors are simply wasting everyone's time.

Congressman Higgins and the detractors of HISA know that it would take years to slog through the cumbersome process of passing enabling legislation in nearly three dozen racing states to establish RHSA. Repealing HISA to then enact RHSA with the consent of 38 states would be similar to the time-consuming process of amending the Constitution, which has only happened 27 times in more than 200 years. This bill is an untenable attempt to turn back the clock on track safety and anti-doping rules – which is precisely why there is so little support in Washington for the HISA repeal bill.

As I've said for months, these detractors need to put an end to their arguments. It is crucial that the whole of the Thoroughbred industry comes together for the betterment of our sport. In these challenging times, we must rally around HISA to ensure the highest standards of integrity and safety are upheld. The Racehorse Health and Safety Act would set the industry back when we should be setting aside our differences and working collaboratively towards a brighter, safer future for Thoroughbred racing under the guidance of HISA which is already the law of the land. Together, we can safeguard the integrity and longevity of this beloved sport.

Tom Rooney is the President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). He formerly served in the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms, representing the state of Florida. 

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