Stormy Embrace runs her way into Breeders' Cup picture

Trainer Kathleen O’Connell fully expected Stormy Embrace to run a big race in Saturday’s Grade 2 Princess Rooney at Gulfstream Park. After all, the steadily improving filly had posted a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure two starts back winning an overnight handicap at Tampa Bay Downs before capturing the restricted Musical Romance five weeks later at Gulfstream Park despite jockey Wilmer Garcia having misjudged the finish line and easing her up 100 yards from the wire.

But even O’Connell admitted she never expected Stormy Embrace to turn in the type of performance that led to a six-length victory over a strong field that included defending champion and multiple graded stakes winner Curlin’s Approval. Ridden by Garcia, Stormy Embrace earned a 97 Beyer.

“I thought she’d be very competitive in there if she brought her ‘A’ game, like she obviously did,” O’Connell said Monday. “But I never thought she’d run like that. She’s always been a rock-solid filly, but she’s just gotten better with maturity. And she really loves the Gulfstream Park track.”

O’Connell admitted that when the season began this winter at Tampa, there was never even a hint of a thought that Stormy Embrace might find herself competing in the Breeders’ Cup at year’s end. But her win in the Princess Rooney earned her a berth in the Filly and Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs, although she would have to be supplemented because she is not Breeders’ Cup eligible. That will lead to some major decisions in the weeks ahead for not only O’Connell, but also Matt Vuskovich and his wife, Lona, who own and bred Stormy Embrace.

“Frankly, the owners are a bit overwhelmed by all this at the moment,” O’Connell said. “They have a small breeding operation in [Gainesville] and are just the nicest people to work for. I’ve had horses for them about four or five years now. Suddenly, they’ve got a lot to digest.

“There have also been the calls from the sales companies as well as other owners looking to buy a percentage of the horse since the race on Saturday.”

O’Connell, who has had two Breeders’ Cup starters, Scandalous Act and Lady Shipman, said she won’t begin to figure what path she might put Stormy Embrace on to get to the Filly and Mare Sprint until after the filly returns to the track later this week. She was quick to praise Garcia for the job he’s done with Stormy Embrace since becoming her regular rider last year.

“I was very impressed with how patient he was on a horse and especially what a good set of hands he has,” she said. “And he’s been a great fit for this filly, that’s for sure.”