For Immediate Release: Friday, October 2, 2015
FILLIES & MARES TANGLE IN ROAMIN RACHEL
Four new stakes were written this fall as part of the two month Fall Festival at Parx and Saturday a field of seven fillies and mares are set to contest the first running of the $150,000 Roamin Rachel Stakes at six furlongs. A wet track is expected and track condition could well be a factor tomorrow in determining the winner.
The 2-1 morning line favorite is Room for Me. The 5 year-old Harlington mare has already won five times this year, including a dominating win in the $75,000 Regret Stakes at Monmouth August 1st and has been close numerous times in graded company in New York. She was second only a half-length behind the tough La Verdad in the G3 Vagrancy at Belmont back in May. In her two most recent starts, she was third in the G1 Ballerina at Saratoga August 29th and then a close fourth at 8-1 in the G2 Gallant Bloom September 26th at Belmont. Back on short rest for owner-trainer David Jacobson, she’ll have Daniel Centeno in saddle tomorrow.
Stoneway Farm’s Stonetastic is second choice at 3-1 and she was terrific in her prep here September 1st for trainer Kelly Breen. The 4 year-old Mizzen Mast filly crushed a solid field of high priced optional claimers by better than 15 lengths and looked every bit the filly that had an outstanding 2014. As a 3 year-old, she was an eight length winner in the G2 Prioress last August at Saratoga. She then went to Keeneland and ran third in the G2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes before a start in the G1 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Well regarded at 3-1, she would finish fourth behind the tough Judy the Beauty last November at Santa Anita. Paco Lopez has been named to ride. Breen and Lopez have both done exceptionally well thus far during the Fall Festival.
Rodolfo Romero’s Galiana looks to be another solid contender. The 5 year-old Stonesider mare already has 15 careers wins including 11 of 16 at tomorrow’s six furlong distance. Four of her five wins this year are stakes victories, two coming at Pimlico and two recently at Delaware Park. She does have one start here at Parx, running second as an even money favorite behind Donita’s Ruler in the 75,000 My Juliet Stakes May 23rd. She may have had an excuse that day having raced just eight days prior winning the $100,000 Skipat at Pimlico. She comes into the race tomorrow off three weeks rest and as of entry time, no jockey had been named to ride.
