Chesapeake Was the Ridgling’s Second Stakes Victory and Second Stakes Victory via DQ
NEW KENT, VA.— The Scherr Boys’ Necker Island crossed the line first in the $150,000 event at six furlongs, but after a 10-minute examination by stewards of the final sixteenth of a mile, he was disqualified and placed third for interference with third-place finisher Factor It In, who was placed second.
That gave the victory to second-place finisher Jalen Journey, who was claimed in his previous start for $50,000 by Built Wright Racing, which is owned by trainer Norman Cash.
Jalen Journey, ridden by Angel Arroyo, finished a neck behind Necker Island. It was his first start in the 2022 MATCH Series.
“He has been working great—he had a bullet work a week ago (in Kentucky),” Cash said. “We claimed him for $50,000 and figured the only place to go is a stakes (to keep him from being claimed). It took him four or five races to get in shape this year (for Steve Asmussen) and we figured we would jump in and get a horse that looked like he is on the way up. He has a ton of back class.
Jalen Journey, a 7-year-old ridgling by With Distinction, won for the 10th time in 22 starts and cleared the $600,000 mark in earnings.
The result of the six-furlong Chesapeake had little impact on the standings in the 3-Year-Olds and Up Sprint—Dirt division. Beren, who remains the leader with 17 points after two starts, was entered in the Chesapeake but his connections in July indicated he most likely would compete in a Pennsylvania-bred stake Aug. 22 at Parx Racing, where he is based and where the final round of MATCH competition will be held Oct. 3.
Threes Over Deuces, who is tied with two others with 10 points but is eligible for bonus money after three starts, also scratched from the Chesapeake.
Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Press Release
Photo: Jalen Journey (Red blinkers) ultimately won the Chesapeake Stakes via the disqualification of Necker Island (Coady Photography)
