It wasn't the way they drew it up on paper, but Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen's Jalen Journey picked up his first career stakes victory Sept. 18 at Laurel Park following the disqualification of first-place finisher and 4-5 favorite Wondrwherecraigis in the $200,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3).
The 6-year-old With Distinction ridgling gave Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Feargal Lynch their second win in the De Francis, after teaming up with Switzerland in 2018.
"He was a nice horse. Switzerland was straightforward. He went to the lead that day and never looked back," Lynch said. "That was easy. I was just steering. This one was a little tougher."
A front-running winner of his two previous starts, including the Tale of the Cat Aug. 13 at Saratoga Race Course, Wondrwherecraigis was outfooted for the early lead by Kalu, himself riding a three-race win streak, who went the opening quarter-mile in :21.98 with Jalen Journey tracking in third. Wondrwherecraigis took over the top spot after a half in :45.11 and straightened for home with Jalen Journey on his heels.
Wondrwherecraigis began to drift out under Jevian Toledo's left-handed urging in mid-stretch and was ruled to have impeded Jalen Journey ($4.60), who finished second by three-quarters of a length. The final time for six furlongs on the fast track was 1:09.52.
"I think I was going by and not just once, but the whole momentum of when I was coming to make my challenge I lost my track. He took my grind," Lynch said. "Nobody likes to win like that, but he was the best horse in the race and he deserved to get put up. Even in the gallop out, he was two or three (lengths) in front."
Stewards immediately lit the inquiry sign and Lynch lodged an objection. Following a lengthy review, the order of finish was changed.
"(Wondrwherecraigis) did come out of his path. He was getting hit left-handed," Asmussen's New York-based assistant Toby Sheets said. "It was kind of a hazing thing the whole way; no brainer."
Kalu was third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Jalen Journey. War Tocsin, Whiskey and You, and defending De Francis winner Laki completed the order of finish.
"There was the two speed horses and Jevian was the horse to follow. I think if we go head to head from the quarter pole I would have won if I was upside him going to the wire," Lynch said. "Unfortunately I just had to wait until my horse started to pick up and when he did, typical of one of Steve Asmussen's, they just don't quit. They just keep grinding and grinding."
Jalen Journey was bred in Florida by Dennis Foster and Edward Pendray out of the Congrats mare Petunia Face, who also produced Puerto Rico's 2016 champion 2-year-old imported male Derek Adrian. The mare's latest foal is a yearling Noble Bird colt named Fortheloveofart.
Sent through the auction ring twice, Jalen Journey was first a $14,000 purchase by agent Randy Bradshaw out of Kim Harrison's consignment to the 2016 Ocala Breeders' Sales August Yearlings Sale. After finishing second in the 2019 Smile Sprint Stakes (G3) for Commonwealth Stable, he was bought for $510,000 by agent Raymie Lightner from the Four Star Sales consignment to the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale.
He now has a record of 8-2-1 from 16 starts and earnings of $503,674.
