Free Drop Billy steps into stakes company in Sanford

Fresh off an impressive three-length debut victory last month at Churchill Downs, Albaugh Family Stable's Free Drop Billy steps straight into stakes company in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Sanford.

The six-furlong Sanford is the first of a three-race series for juveniles at Saratoga followed by the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special at 6 ½ furlongs August 13 and the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful September 4 at seven furlongs.

A chestnut son of 2012 Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags, Free Drop Billy has worked once since his maiden triumph, logging a half-mile breeze in 49 seconds over Saratoga's main track July 16. He drew post 4 in a field of eight and will be ridden by Kentucky-based Robby Albarado.

"He came out of it good and he's trained great. It looks like it sets up the right way, where he can sit right behind some of the speed and try to run like he did last time," trainer Dale Romans said. "Any 2-year-old stake at Saratoga is a tough task, but I feel comfortable coming into it. He's a really good horse."

Free Drop Billy was a $200,000 buy at Keeneland's September yearling sale last fall. The Iowa-based ownership group headed by Dennis Albaugh and Jason Loutsch also purchased two other colts at the auction - Dak Attack, a $625,000 son of Ghostzapper, and Hollywood Star, a $550,000 son of Malibu Moon.

Both Free Drop Billy and Dak Attack broke their maidens on June 15 at Churchill Downs, followed 13 days later by Hollywood Star. The latter two colts remain in Kentucky but could wind up at the Spa later this summer.

"I'm used to losing first time and then winning second time, and then we're into the fall. But, they've put me on a little faster track this year," Romans said. "[Free Drop Billy] was actually the cheapest horse we bought. I call him the cheap horse, but 10 years ago that would have been my whole barn. When he came in he was just a great mover, and he's done everything right.

"Dak Attack could come in for the Special. Hollywood Star could come in for the Special or just go in the Hopeful," he added. "They're all the same owners, so we'll try to keep them separated."

Romans said J Boys Echo, winner of the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct in March, is getting some time off following his ninth-place effort in the June 10 Belmont Stakes last time out. The Mineshaft colt has run five times this year, finishing third in the Grade 3 Withers and fourth in the Grade 2 Blue Grass prior to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, where he was 15th.