Promises Fulfilled heads Romans exacta in H. Allen Jerkens Stakes

Trainer Dale Romans went one-two in the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Saturday at Saratoga, with Promises Fulfilled living up as the 6-5 favorite over 32-1 longshot Seven Trumpets for an exciting first stakes on 2018 Travers Day.

A Kentucky Derby contender earlier this year, Robert Baron’s Promises Fulfilled has found his specialty cutting back in distance. He was an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Amsterdam last out at 6 ½ furlongs and beat another competitive bunch at seven furlongs, winning the H. Allen Jerkens by 1 ¼ lengths.

“Allen was one of my very good friends,” Romans said of the race’s namesake. “It’s a special, special win. I think I might have had a little divine intervention to run one-two. Everybody knows what a great horse trainer Allen was, but he was an even better person.”

Promises Fulfilled took control early over Gidu, setting opening fractions of 22.66 and 44.34. Chad Brown trainee Engage, second in the Amsterdam, was in third over Telekinesis, Givemeaminit, Grade 1 winner Firenze Fire Stablemate and stablemate Seven Trumpets. Still Having Fun and Funny Duck trailed the field.

Nearing the turn for home, Promises Fulfilled faced challenges from both sides. Seven Trumpets saved ground on the rail and moved up on the inside, while Engage got involved on the outside.

Jockey Luis Saez has plenty of horse left under him, putting away both his stablemate and familiar rival before hitting the wire in 1:21.44.

“They put pressure on early, and when he came into the stretch I was just waiting for him to switch leads. He did it, and man did he take off,” Saez said after the race.

Seven Trumpets held for second and Firenze Fire ran late to finish third. Engage, Still Having Fun, Telekinesis, Gidu, Givemeaminit and Funny Duck completed the order of finish.

Though Promises Fulfilled is not nominated to the 2018 Breeders’ Cup, Romans said Shackleford colt could be supplemented if he wins his next race.

“He was perfect,” Saez added on his winning mount. “Last time he ran pretty big. Today he proved he’s a champion.”