Kentucky Derby 2016: Dale Romans knocking on the door
Trainer Dale Romans has been knocking on the door of the Kentucky Derby for long enough. It may be just about time for the Louisville native to kick that door in. Armed with Brody’s Cause, the 49-year-old believes he has the horse which gives him his best shot ever to accomplish the task of winning America’s most prestigious horse race.
The son of Giant’s Causeway already boasts two Grade 1 victories, more than anyone in the field other than Nyquist, but unlike the Derby favorite, he does his best running late, as the possessor of a potent stretch running kick. After an unexplainable flop of a Tampa Bay Derby in his first start of the year, Brody’s Cause powered to victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Since arriving at Churchill Downs, he seems to be moving forward and really thriving the past handful of days, perhaps looking better than ever this morning. While Brody’s Cause should be considered one of the horses to beat on Saturday, his trainer knows what it is like to see a horse under his care run big in the Derby.
Sharp Humor was the 30-year veteran’s first shot at the roses back in 2006. A talented speed horse, Sharp Humor gave Barbaro everything he wanted in the Florida Derby, but at Churchill Downs, he wanted no part of the ten furlongs on Derby Day. Romans first Derby horse backed up to finish 19th, while Barbaro won the Derby in sensational style. While his first attempt ended poorly, Romans has fared much better ever since.
In 2010, Paddy O’ Prado, best known for his turf ability, ran a big race to finish third behind Super Saver and Ice Box on a sloppy main track. Second in deep stretch, the son of El Prado was never getting to Super Saver, but he was only passed in the last few strides by Ice Box for the Kentucky Derby place.
In 2011, it was Shackleford who led the Kentucky Derby down the Churchill Downs stretch. In fact, the Romans runner had his trainer thinking about a trip to the winner’s circle for man than a few strides in the Derby lane. He was run by late, and finished fourth, but was able to stay the trip two weeks later in the Preakness.
One year after that, Romans again came to Churchill Downs with a live horse. Blue Grass hero, Dullahan, came rolling down the Churchill Downs stretch, but could not quite get to the top-notch duo of I’ll Have Another and Bodemeister. It was the third straight year where his Derby charge hit the board, proving that Romans knows how to get a horse ready to run on the first Saturday in May.
The last two years, with Medal Count, and Keen Ice, Romans was not as close to his first win in the race that he wants more than any other, finishing eighth and seventh respectively, but still both horses came to run, and if not for a little trouble, both could have been a whole lot closer.
So now we are almost upon another try by the Romans barn, and Brody's Cause looks ready and able to get the job done. They say persistence is eventually rewarded. The Kentucky Derby door has been knocked on repeatedly by Dale Romans. It’s about time he kicks that sucker in.