Kerry’s Kiss will take another important step towards the biggest assignment of her career when she is scheduled to work at Gulfstream Park on Monday, October 19, ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade 1) at Keeneland on October 31. The progressive sprinter has earned her place among the leading contenders after a remarkable run of four consecutive victories.
Representing BAG Racing Stables, Epic Horses and The White House Stables, Kerry’s Kiss secured an automatic berth in the prestigious contest with a front-running victory in the Princess Rooney Stakes (Grade 3) at Gulfstream Park on September 12. The seven-furlong event provided another convincing demonstration of her ability to maintain a strong pace and finish with authority.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed that the mare was scheduled to return to the track for her latest workout after a change to her preparation programme due to the weather.
“She’s going to breeze tomorrow if the track is good,” Joseph said on Sunday. He explained that the planned workout had been postponed, adding that another session would follow before the horse travelled to Keeneland, provided Monday’s work went according to plan.
Kerry’s Kiss Builds Momentum Ahead of the Breeders’ Cup
Kerry’s Kiss has made significant progress since moving to South Florida following five consecutive two-turn races at Oaklawn Park. After being purchased privately, the sprinter found her stride at Gulfstream Park, winning three successive sprint stakes over one turn during the summer.
Her latest success extended the winning sequence to four races and strengthened the case for a step up to the highest level of competition.
Joseph acknowledged the improvement shown by the mare while recognising the challenge awaiting her at Keeneland.
“She’s been a good horse for us, but you never expect them to get that good. She just keeps improving,” the trainer said, while noting that the Breeders’ Cup would provide a different level of opposition.
Despite the tougher assignment, Kerry’s Kiss has produced performances that suggest she deserves her opportunity. Her figures, according to Joseph, are not far off the standard required to compete at the highest level.
The Princess Rooney victory was particularly encouraging. Kerry’s Kiss defeated favoured Simply Joking by one and a half lengths, giving Joseph his fourth consecutive win in the race.
The Princess Rooney has also proved a useful guide to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Joseph’s first three winners of the Gulfstream contest subsequently competed in the championship event. Soul of an Angel completed the journey with victory in the 2024 edition and was later recognised as the champion female sprinter of that year.
Three Witches finished third in the 2023 running, while Haulin Ice placed sixth last season.
Joseph believes those performances underline the value of the Princess Rooney as a preparatory race, although he acknowledged that individual horses can face different challenges depending on their preferred distance.
R Disaster Adds Strength to Joseph’s Breeders’ Cup Team
Kerry’s Kiss is not the only contender from Joseph’s stable being prepared for the championship meeting. R Disaster, owned by Averill Racing and Anthony Mattera, is also being aimed at the Filly & Mare Sprint.
The five-year-old opened her campaign with victory in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (Grade 3) at Gulfstream Park on March 7. Further successes in the Derby City Distaff Stakes (Grade 1) and Gallant Bloom Stakes (Grade 2) have strengthened her credentials for the October 31 contest.
Joseph confirmed that R Disaster was expected to work at Saratoga during the week, while Forged Steel was scheduled for a workout on Monday.
Forged Steel is being prepared for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade 1), while In Our Time is intended for the Turf Sprint (Grade 1) and Eunomia for the Distaff (Grade 1).
Forged Steel earned an automatic place in the Classic through victory in the Goodwood Stakes (Grade 1), while Eunomia secured a berth in the Distaff with success in the Clement Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1), both in Southern California.
Joseph acknowledged that his stable had several competitive chances at the championship meeting, even if none could be considered an overwhelming favourite.
For Kerry’s Kiss, however, the immediate priority remains a smooth preparation. Monday’s scheduled workout will provide another indication of her readiness before one final training session and the journey to Keeneland.
Her recent progression has earned her a place on the championship stage. The challenge now is to translate that form into a performance capable of standing up against the best female sprinters in the division.
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