Free Drop Billy's Belmont 2018 plans hinge on Sunday breeze

Trainer Dale Romans said a decision on whether to run Free Drop Billy in the 2018 Belmont Stakes won't be made before Albaugh Family Stables' colt has a timed workout Sunday at Churchill Downs. Free Drop Billy worked a bullet half-mile in 47.60 seconds on Monday, the fastest of 51 workouts at that distance.

Romans has said the longer the distance the better for Free Drop Billy, which makes the 1 1/2-mile Belmont particularly appealing. But he also believes the colt will excel on the turf. 

"We're pointing that way as of now," Romans said of the Triple Crown finale. "We'll just see how it goes the next few days. We'll see how he works this weekend and we'll all talk about it."

Free Drop Billy won last fall's Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, then was a disappointing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. In his four starts this year, he was second in Gulfstream Park's Grade 2 Holy Bull to eventual Florida Derby winner and Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Audible, third in both Aqueduct's Grade 3 Gotham and Keeneland's Grade 2 Blue Grass before finishing 16th in the Kentucky Derby.

"He's a Grade 1 winner. He doesn't have to apologize to anyone for being there," Romans said. "He's a good horse. I don't think he liked that muddy track in the Derby. He seems to be a little sensitive to surface."

If Free Drop Billy runs in the Belmont, he'll be ridden by Robby Albarado. Another option is to wait for the Belmont Derby Invitational on grass on July 7, Romans has said.

Churchill's all-time winningest trainer also is looking at the Woody Stephens for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs for Gulfstream's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth winner Promises Fulfilled and the $150,000 Easy Goer at 1 1/16 miles for King Zachary. Both races are on the Belmont Stakes card.

"They're both good horses. King Zachary is a horse I think you'll be hearing a lot from," he said. "He's as talented as anybody we have."

Romans said he believes King Zachary has the talent to compete in the Belmont Stakes but doesn't think the son of two-time Horse of the Year and 2007 Belmont runner-up Curlin has the physical foundation to tackle 1 1/2 miles at this time.

"It's not the caliber of horse," he said. "He's not ready for a mile and half... .Promises Fulfilled is just a fast horse. We'll shorten him up and see what he does. I'm going to nominate to the Easy Goer with him, too. There's a chance we can show up with two in that race."

Free Drop Billy went out at 9:30 a.m. for a routine gallop under regular exercise rider Juan Segundo.