Promises Fulfilled back on top in Belmont's John A. Nerud Stakes

Given a slight drop in class and an ideal pace scenario, Promises Fulfilled looked like his old self Saturday, not just taking an early lead but keeping it to win the Grade 2, $300,000 John A. Nerud Stakes at Belmont Park.

The victory earned the 4-year-old Dale Romans trainee a “Win and You’re In” ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and, in the near term, could provide a bit of confidence heading into the summer at Saratoga.

Promises Fulfilled ran head and head with Justify in his Kentucky Derby, then transformed into a prolific, Grade 1-winning sprinter the rest of the season. But he opened this year's campaign with defeats to the best of this generation in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) and Met Mile (G1).

"I haven't given him any breaks, that's for sure," Romans said. "This was a class drop, but these are good horses, too.

"...I think it's the toughest division in American racing right now."

Saturday's fractions went in 23.16, 46.09 and 1:09.47 before Promises Fulfilled, a son of Shackleford, hit the wire in 1:21.75 for seven furlongs under jockey Luis Saez. That Killybegs Captain stumbled leaving the gate certainly helped, as Promises Fulfilled found himself on a lone and relatively relaxed lead.

"It's tough to get by him," Romans said.

Warrior’s Club ran second by 4 1/2 lengths while Killybegs Captain put in a huge effort to salvage third.

Romans said it’s more likely Promises Fulfilled -- off as the 3-5 favorite in the John A. Nerud, formerly known as the Belmont Sprint Championship -- goes on to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint than the Dirt Mile. Both will be considered for Robert Baron’s runner.

"I think he's 100 percent," Saez said. "He feels way better than he did in his last races, and let's see what happens in Saratoga."