Futurity distance should not be a problem for Romeo O Romeo

Brian Williamson trainee Romeo O Romeo, a 2-year-old colt by juvenile champion Macho Uno, is entered in Saturday’s Grade III $100,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity at Arlington International Racecourse. Owned by Nancy Vanier, et al., he made his debut at Arlington on Aug. 21 going 5½ furlongs on the main track under rider C. H. Marquez, Jr. The colt broke less than sharp, but quickly made up ground to vie for the lead through quick opening fractions of 22.82 and 45.58. Taking the lead turning for home, Romeo O Romeo opened up to win by 1¼ lengths in a time of 1:05.44.

“The dam won a graded stakes on the synthetic, so I kind of knew he’d probably be alright on that,” Williamson remarked. “He worked good going up to the race. He came out the race great – he’s breezed twice since. He breezed super, worked in company both times and could have left his company but I had them mostly stay together. I think the seven furlongs [distance in the Futurity] shouldn’t be a problem, according his breeding. We couldn’t be happier with how he’s training leading up to this race.”

Romeo O Romeo could face as many as eleven other colts and geldings in the Sept. 10 race. William Stiritz’s Stand and Cheer and Mark Breen’s Birdsnest Party, third and fourth respectively in Romeo O Romeo’s winning debut, are among those entered to contest the Futurity.

“There looks to be some speed in there, and I think he can come from off it,” Williamson said. “Before I ever ran him, he was breaking so sharp, and whenever I breezed him against something he was always in front. [In his debut] he didn’t break quite as sharp, but he maneuvered around there and got past the horse that was in front of him to get the lead. I’m not thinking he needs to be on the lead – he’ll run from off it too.”

Few, if any changes will be made from his first start. C. H. Marquez, Jr. retains the mount, and the colt, who did not receive Lasix in his first start, will be kept off of it.

“He didn’t bleed, so why put him on it?” Williamson commented. “I know eventually he will probably go on it, but right now he’s working good without it. I scoped him before I ever ran him and he had never bled. He didn’t bleed in the race, so I don’t want to change anything.”

Romeo O Romeo was purchased as a yearling from the 2015 Keeneland September sale for $67,000 from breeder Adena Springs. He is out of the In Excess (IRE) mare Romance Is Diane, winner of the 2006 Grade I Hollywood Starlet and the 2007 Grade II Bayakoa Handicap, both held at the now defunct Hollywood Park. Her full brother, Romanceishope, captured the Grade II Del Mar Derby in 2001. This is her first foal to race.

“We just loved the way he looked, so we kept raising our hands every time someone outbid us,” Williamson said. “We had to have him. Both his page and looks came together.”

 
SPIRITUALITY LOOKS TO RAISE THE STAKES IN LASSIE
 

WinStar Farm’s Spirituality, a winner in her debut at Delaware Park on Aug. 4 for trainer Shannon Ritter, will make her first start on synthetic in the $75,000 Arlington-Washington Lassie on Sept. 10 at Arlington International Racecourse. The juvenile daughter of Gemologist, who broke his maiden on the Polytrack at Turfway Park, drew away in her six-furlong start at Delaware to win by eight lengths.

“She breezed on the Polytrack at the OBS sale, and [the owners] really liked the way she looked going over that,” Ritter said. “I’ve had her on a turf gallop at Delaware Park, they have a separate area to just gallop a little bit, you can’t work them on it, but you have different opportunities. I know turf doesn’t always transfer over to Poly, but she seems to really like the turf, so we think she’ll like [the synthetic]. Obviously, we’ll find out.”

Out of the Forest Wildcat mare Honky Tonk Rose, Spirituality went through the sale ring three times in her life. As a weanling she sold at the 2014 Keeneland November Mixed Breeding Stock sale for $57,000 before bringing a bid of $77,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling sale. She went through the ring a final time this spring at the OBS March sale for 2-year-olds in training, where she sold for $150,000.

“She’s been training well,” Ritter said of the filly. “She shipped well, got here today and she’ll train tomorrow a little bit. We’re looking forward to Saturday.”

Source: Arlington Park