Promises Fulfilled goes preferred distance in loaded Met Mile

Last fall, trainer Dale Romans said he preferred Promises Fulfilled going the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile’s distance, but elected to enter his barn star in the Sprint instead with an Eclipse Award at stake.

Seven months later, Romans will see how eight panels suits the Shackleford colt on the biggest stage as Promises Fulfilled enters the Grade 1, $1.2 million Metropolitan Handicap.

Romans called the Met Mile the “big goal for the summer,” but it’s a rather difficult one with probables including Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Thunder Snow, recent Grade 1-winning sprinter Mitole and proven one-turn runner McKinzie — among others who deserve consideration in what may be the best race on the June 8 Belmont Stakes card.

Speaking Friday on an NTRA media teleconference, Romans said of Promises Fulfilled: “Today is the best work I’ve ever seen out of him.” Earlier, the Robert Baron runner clocked five furlongs at Churchill Downs in a minute flat.

The Met Mile will mark Promises Fulfilled’s third start of the season. He missed the break when fourth in the March 30 Dubai Golden Shaheen before running third on the Kentucky Derby undercard in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1).

“He got left at the gate,” Romans said of Dubai. “It was the first time he’d ever been behind horses, and he still finished strong.”

“The race was big on Derby day,” Romans added of the Churchill Downs, doubling down to call both breezes since then “spectacular.”

The trainer will also point out that last season, Promises Fulfilled pushed Justify on the pace in the Kentucky Derby, won the Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga and defeated older in Keeneland’s Phoenix Stakes (G2) as a May foal.

“I feel like finally now he’s catching up with everybody," Romans said.

Next weekend, the rest could be having to catch Promises Fulfilled.

“He does have the speed that it takes to be a sprinter, but he also has stamina,” Romans said. “A mile race is the toughest race on a horse. They run gate to wire, and that’s what separates them. That’s why they say milers become such good stallions.

“He’s the type of horse for me that can start fast and keep right on going.”