Princess Rooney remains 'on the radar' for Ce Ce

Ce Ce, the champion female sprinter of 2021, is possible for the Grade 2, $300,000 Princess Rooney (G2) at Gulfstream Park on July 2, according to a statement by her trainer Michael McCarthy in reaction to a report on Monday.

Horse Racing Nation asked McCarthy whether he would send the 6-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality to the Princess Rooney. "Definitely on the radar," he responded.

It was reported earlier Monday, in a tweet by Mike Welsch of the Daily Racing Form, that McCarthy would send Ce Ce to Gulfstream for the Princess Rooney, depending on a final prep workout this weekend as well as the ability to make travel arrangements for the race.

Ce Ce won the Princess Rooney in 2021, earning a berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar. She went on to win that race, clinching an Eclipse award. The Princess Rooney, a seven-furlong sprint over the dirt at Gulfstream, is a Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint again this year.

Ce Ce was defeated in her 2022 debut on Feb. 5 in the Santa Monica (G2), where she finished second to Merneith. She stretched out to two-turn trips in her next two starts, winning the Azeri (G2) and then finishing third behind distaff-division star Letruska and Clairiere in the Apple Blossom (G1). She has beeen working regularly at Santa Anita since May 13.