Romans closing in on Mott's Churchill Downs leading title
New York-based Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has been spending the last two weeks in Kentucky at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, but the all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs is holding his ground against fast-closing Dale Romans to retain his 701-699 lead in victories at the historic Louisville racetrack.
“I remember when I met Bill one night in California for dinner during the Breeders’ Cup last year,” Romans said. “He offered to take me out to dinner and I obviously took him up on the offer and picked the most expensive restaurant.”
“I joked with him and said I was sending in reinforcements for the Fall Meet at Churchill,” Mott said. “It didn’t quite work out but he’s still a couple wins behind, so he hasn’t gotten there yet.”
Mott, who has held the all-time leading trainer mark at Churchill Downs since June 8, 1986, has a two-win lead on Romans 701-699.
Romans, 51, has nine horses entered Saturday and three on Sunday:
Saturday: Tiz Mischief (Race 1), Bryzzo (Race 1), Eight Minute Ellie (Race 2), Cucciolo (Race 2), Race Me Home (Race 3), Mr. Freeze (Race 4), Tenkoz (Race 4), Miss Katie Bug (Race 6) and Hollywood Star (Race 10).
Sunday: Cove Blue (Race 4), Fayettevile (Race 4), Promises Fulfilled (Race 7) and Sportscaster (Race 10).
Mott’s entries:
Saturday: Own Agenda (Race 1) and Confiscate (Race 7)
Sunday: Bristol’s Brooke (Race 2).
Romans schedule has been fluid with the Keeneland September Yearling Sale but hopes to be at the track this weekend.
“The sale like the NFL Draft except in two weeks,” Romans said. “As much as I want to be at Churchill, I have to make sure I stock up for the future.”
Romans purchased seven horses so far at the sale, six for the Albaugh Family Stable.
South Florida native Rayan Gazader was the only jockey on Friday’s card at Churchill Downs to win more than one race and, by doing so, has moved from an apprentice to journeyman rank.
“It was a great day yesterday,” Gazader said. “I’ve been having a great time so far in Kentucky and the business is picking up. We just have to keep our head down and work hard.”
Gazader, 21, surpassed his apprenticeship in Race 5 when he guided Pocketfullofgreen to a 1 ¾-length wire-to-wire victory in the $5,000 claiming event for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward. The 5-year-old Florida-bred filly paid $45.40, $20 and $9.20.
The very next race, a maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies at one mile, Gazader rallied Grats Road to a narrow-win. The Dave Vance-trainee paid $34.60, $13.60 and $6.80.
Gazader’s riding double in Races 5 and 6 paid $533.30 for a $1 wager.
Along with the heated-battle between Dale Romans and Bill Mott for the all-time leading trainer honors at Churchill Downs (701-699 wins), trainers Greg Foley (397) and Kenny McPeek (394) are approaching 400 career-victories beneath the historic Twin Spires while trainer Ian Wilkes is targeting 200 career victories at Churchill Downs (191 wins). Trainer Mike Tomlinson is just one win away from 500-career victories. The Oklahoma native has 499 victories so far in his 28-year career.
Source: Churchill Downs