'Bird' Back in Florida

Grade I winner Birdatthewire (Summer Bird) returns to one of her favorite tracks Saturday for Gulfstream's GII Princess Rooney S., a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint. The bay annexed the GII Forward Gal S. and GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, sandwiching a close second in the GII Davona Dale S., at this venue last year at three. She eventually cut back to seven panels for Santa Anita's GI La Brea S. Dec. 26, and outran her 10-1 odds to pull off the upset. Subsequently transferred from Dale Romans to Tom Proctor, Birdatthewire was a distant second to Taris (Flatter) in the GII La Canada S. routing Jan. 16, but checked in fifth in the GII Santa Maria S. a month later. A late-running fourth in a very strong running of Keeneland's GI Madison S. Apr. 9, she returned to the Romans barn to finish fifth after a very wide journey in Churchill's GI Humana Distaff S. May 7. “She really likes the track at Gulfstream. There's a nice purse and it's a 'Win and You're In' race,” noted Romans, who sent out Sassy Image (Broken Vow) to a victory in this event in 2011 when it was a Grade I contested at Calder. This is the first year the Princess Rooney will be run over seven furlongs instead of six. “She's shown she's better around one turn, seven-eighths to a mile, that's another reason to be there,” Romans added. Among Birdatthewire's challengers are last year's GII Chilukki S. winner Spelling Again (Awesome Again), last seen finishing a close third in Churchill's GIII Winning Colors S. May 28; and Cali Star (Street Cry {Ire}), a winner of the GIII Rampart S. going a furlong longer here Dec. 12. The latter was second to subsequent GI Apple Blossom S. winner Forever Unbridled (Unbridled's Song) in the GIII Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 30, but was a puzzling fifth last time at short odds in the Mar. 5 Heavenly Prize S. at Aqueduct.