Stormy Embrace cruises to Musical Romance repeat

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Kathleen O’Connell wasn’t on hand at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, but said she was screaming nonetheless watching on television from Monmouth Park as her Stormy Embrace totally dominated six overmatched rivals in defense of her title in the $100,000 Musical Romance Stakes.

With jockey Wilmer Garcia back aboard the speedy filly for the first time since her victory in the Grade 2 Princess Rooney here 11 months earlier, Stormy Embrace stalked the swift early pace set, as expected, by Lady’s Island. Stormy Embrace readily overtook the leader while kept well off the rail approaching the stretch then steadily increased her advantage before being allowed to ease up some nearing the wire.

Lady’s Island, who brought a three-race winning streak into the seven-furlong Musical Romance, finished 10 1/2 lengths behind Stormy Embrace but was able to outlast Flora Fantasy by a half-length to be second-best.

A 5-year-old homebred daughter of Circular Quay, Stormy Embrace is trained by O’Connell for Matalona Thoroughbreds. She completed the distance over a fast track in 1:21.51 and paid $3.80.

“I was screaming watching the race on TV, and really happy for the filly and for her owners, too,” O’Connell said when asked how she felt during the race. “I was confident going in because I knew she’d been training like a bear.”

O’Connell said like last year, she’ll use the Musical Romance as a stepping-stone to the Princess Rooney, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

“She’s an older mare now and just keeps improving,” said O’Connell. “I just hope she can stay healthy and everything goes according to plan.”

The seven-furlong Princess Rooney will be decided as the main event on the Summit of Speed card here on June 29.