HALLANDALE BEACH, FL — Kerry’s Kiss turned Saturday’s $225,000 Princess Rooney (G3) into a front-running showcase at Gulfstream Park, upsetting favored Simply Joking and securing her place in the Breeders’ Cup while extending trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s remarkable dominance of the race.
Owned by Epic’s Horses LLC, BAG Racing Stables LLC and White House Stables LLC, Kerry’s Kiss broke sharply under Edwin Gonzalez, immediately took command and never surrendered the advantage, defeating 6-5 favorite Simply Joking by 1 1/2 lengths.
The victory carried major implications beyond the Grade 3 trophy. As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the Princess Rooney awarded Kerry’s Kiss a fees-paid berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland.
Four Straight for Saffie Joseph Jr.
The result continued an extraordinary run for Joseph, who has now captured the Princess Rooney four consecutive years with four different horses:
Three Witches (2023), Soul of an Angel (2024), Haulin Ice (2025) and Kerry’s Kiss (2026).
Joseph watched Saturday’s race from Lexington, Kentucky, and described the accomplishment as particularly meaningful after Soul of an Angel went on to win the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar.
“When you have a competitive nature, you want to keep the streak going,” Joseph said. “To win the fourth one, we’re obviously grateful and thankful to be able to have these horses.”
Kerry’s Kiss Keeps Winning
The Princess Rooney marked the fourth consecutive victory for the 4-year-old daughter of Vino Rosso.
Kerry’s Kiss entered Saturday following front-running victories in Gulfstream’s 6 1/2-furlong Musical Drama and seven-furlong Sheer Drama. She was privately purchased after winning an allowance race at Oaklawn Park, with her new connections believing shorter, one-turn races would allow her natural speed to become an even greater weapon.
That assessment has proven correct.
“We bought her with one-turn races in mind the whole time,” partner Mark Cornett explained. “She’s a different filly going one turn. She can carry her speed going one turn.”
Speed Wins in the Rain
Heavy rain arrived shortly before post time, but the changing conditions did little to slow Kerry’s Kiss.
Gonzalez allowed his filly to establish control through an opening quarter in 22.12 seconds and a half-mile in 44.71 over a track rated good.
Simply Joking, ridden by Juan Hernandez, remained within striking distance along the backstretch and around the far turn. But when the favorite was asked for her best, Kerry’s Kiss still had plenty left.
Gonzalez waited until the stretch before asking his mount for another gear, and Kerry’s Kiss responded decisively.
“I gave her a little breather and waited until turning for home to ask her,” Gonzalez said. “I let her run and she kept running. She’s doing so good, this filly.”
Kerry’s Kiss stopped the clock in 1:25.33 for seven furlongs, winning by 1 1/2 lengths.
Simply Joking held second, while late-running Just Philly finished another length back in third.
Joseph was represented by three runners in the six-horse field. Anakarina finished fourth after tracking the early pace, while Indy Bay finished fifth.
Next Stop: Keeneland?
With her Breeders’ Cup berth officially secured, Kerry’s Kiss could now be headed for the biggest challenge of her career.
Joseph acknowledged that the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint represents a significant jump in competition but believes Kerry’s Kiss has earned the opportunity.
“I think she earned the shot,” Joseph said. “It’s a different level of race, but she’s fast. If everything continues to go good, we’ll talk it over. I think it’s a strong possibility that it’s going to happen.”
For Joseph, the road could once again lead from the Princess Rooney winner’s circle to Breeders’ Cup glory.
Two years after Soul of an Angel completed that exact journey, Kerry’s Kiss will now have the opportunity to follow in her stablemate’s footsteps when the world’s best gather at Keeneland on October 31.
Four straight victories. Four different mares. And another Breeders’ Cup contender for Saffie Joseph Jr.
The Princess Rooney streak lives on.
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