Fraulein Morgan Accepts Top Honors as the 2017 $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational Champion

“FABULOUS” FRAULEIN MORGAN WINS PALM BEACH KENNEL CLUB’S $50,000 ARTHUR J. ROONEY, SR. ST. PATRICK’S INVITATIONAL IN DRAMATIC FASHION!

West Palm Beach, Fl. - Irish Eyes Were Smiling on the Janie Carroll Kennel as the “Fabulous” Fraulein Morgan won by the narrowest of margins to claim number one status in the 41st running of Palm Beach Kennel Club’s $50,000 Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. St. Patrick’s Invitational, Saturday afternoon, March 18.

In the green dance, it was Big Red Dog rushing to the early lead followed closely by Hot Prospect Gal, Whirlin Toodlelu and Super C Martha.

Entering the backstretch, everything changed.

Hot on the paws of “Clifford”, Hot Prospect Gal was attempting to make a pass to garner the lead, but found she did not have enough room. She was blocked in her attempt and was sent out to her right, where she inadvertently bumped the race favorite, Super C Martha and $150,000 “Big 3” Triple Crown contender Janice Dean.

This one single event resulted in the ultimate outcome.

The inside opened up allowing “Toodles” and Fraulein Morgan the racing room they needed.

At the top of homestretch, it was still Big Red Dog with a slight lead, and Whirlin Toodlelu, Fraulein Morgan and Barts Big Bang closing in like gangbusters.

As they approached the finish line, it a see-saw battle between “Toodles” and the “Fabulous One. Once they hit their destination, it was obvious it was going to take a photo to decide the 2017 St. Patrick’s Invitational winner.

After a grueling few minute wait, the results were posted.

Janie Carroll Kennel’s Fraulein Morgan had nosed out Whirlin Toodlelu for the victory.

At the finish line, kennel operator Crystal Carroll was filled with emotion. “I wasn’t expecting to win. I would have been happy with anything as long as long as she finished the race safe”, said a weeping Carroll. Fraulein Morgan is a middle-distance racer whose last race on the 545-Yard Royal Palm Course was in October of 2015.

And one of the first to congratulate the Janie Carroll contingent was Alvin Rink, whose Janice Dean was denied the Triple Crown.

Whirlin Toodlelu, Barts Big Bang (who ran one of the best races of his career) and this year’s winner of both the $50,000 He’s My Man Classic and 3/8ths Mile Derby, Ethel Is Here finished second, third and fourth, respectively.

Fraulein Morgan collected a lot of the “Green” for herself and her connections, a cool $25,000.

The complete St. Pat’s order of finish:

1st - 1. Fraulein Morgan (Kiowa Mon Manny – Fraulein Kaci, Janie Carroll)

2nd - 2. Whirlin Toodlelu (Djays Octane – Loud Linda, James Douglas)

3rd – 6. Barts Big Bang (Pat C Clement – Barts Magpie, James Douglas Kennel)

4th – 7. Janice Dean (Rhythmless – Audra Barkley, Brindle Kennel)

5th – 5. Big Red Dog (Rhythmless – KB’s La Bella, Rader Racing)

6th – 4. Pat C Faro (Djays Octane – Pat C Magic, Koppe, Staats & Collins)

7th - 8. Super C Martha (KC And All – Sweet On Adele, Lester Raines)

8th – 3. Hot Prospect Gal (Last Outlaw – Flaring Fiesta, Arthur Agganis)

Palm Beach Kennel Club honors Arthur J. Rooney Sr. and honors his legacy with our annual St. Patrick’s Invitational. "The Chief" was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, established in 1933 and bought the Palm Beach Kennel Club in 1970 and Yonkers Raceway in 1972. He was also an outstanding athlete playing football, baseball and amateur boxing. He will always be remembered as one of the most popular figures in sports.