Jalen Journey impressive in deafeat in Smile Sprint

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Despite having won his three previous starts by a combined margin of more than 17 lengths, Jalen Journey ran arguably the best race of his career in defeat when beaten three-quarters of a length by Diamond Oops in Saturday’s Grade 3 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream Park. It also might have been the last race he’ll run for trainer Kathleen O’Connell.

Jalen Journey, who is owned by Erven Samsel’s Commonwealth Stable, left O’Connell’s barn Monday with his destination Lexington, Ky., for the upcoming Fasig-Tipton July sale.

“He was vetted out and sold prior to his last start, and then the people backed out of the deal so we ran him and I thought he turned in a tremendous effort even though he didn’t win,” O’Connell said. “I was so proud of him, because like I said before the race it wasn’t his proper distance and he’s not yet fully socialized since he’s only had a few races. We could have looked for a race in New York or Maryland at seven furlongs or a mile, but for the Smile he was able to walk out of his own stall and run over a track he’s already proven he liked. He took a lot of pressure, too, and while racing down near the inside, which wasn’t the best spot to be in on the drying-out track.”

O’Connell took in stride the fact that Jalen Journey may not come back to her barn.

“He’s entered in the sale,” she said. “Whether they sell him or not, I don’t know. It was difficult to put him on the van like that and say good-bye, but that’s just part of the job. The owner is the greatest guy, a very classy guy, and if he sells this one I’m confident he’ll find me another one.”

O’Connell also reported that Stormy Embrace came out of her victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 Princess Rooney in good shape. Stormy Embrace won the Princess Rooney for the second consecutive year, and with it a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

“You always worry a little more when they run on an off track like that, but everything seems fine, she’s eating well and doing great,” O’Connell said Monday. “For now, we’re still enjoying the win. Obviously, the Breeders’ Cup is the goal, but we haven’t discussed anything else yet. I’m not in the business of making any long-range plans because things can change so fast.”

Asked what she felt about training the first back-to-back winner of the Princess Rooney in 15 years, O’Connell said: “It’s a great accomplishment for the horse. I was just along for the ride. But the success our stable has had over the last 10-12 years is not about just one or two horses. Instead it is a testament to the great owners and wonderful help I have that has allowed us to be so consistent during that period.”

Positively Awesome stays perfect

Positively Awesome, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Jackson Bend, remained unbeaten and became a stakes winner Sunday, rallying to a 2 3/4-length decision over Absolute Grit in the $75,000 Kodiak Island Stakes.

Positively Awesome, a son of Awesome of Course, prompted the pace and pulled away in the final furlong. He is trained by Ralph Nicks and is owned and was bred by Jacks or Better Farm.

“He’s got a lot of class,” Nicks said. “He broke well. He was a little keener than he was last time when he settled way back. Today, he was up in the race. He put him in position at the quarter pole, they swarmed him, and he spurted away. It was a very impressive effort.”

The victory established Positively Awesome as the early favorite for the $100,000 Dr. Fager Stakes on Aug. 3.