Romans lays out final 2018 Kentucky Derby prep plans
While Dale Romans has already qualified Florida Derby contender Promises Fulfilled for the 2018 Kentucky Derby still with one prep to go, the trainer on Tuesday detailed final starts that could add to his arsenal of starters on the first Saturday in May.
Speaking on a media teleconference hosted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Romans confirmed he’ll enter two horses in Keeneland’s Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes — Free Drop Billy and Tiz Mischief — while recent maiden winner King Zachary is bound for Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial.
Both of those races run April 7, offering qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 basis to the Top 4 finishers.
Free Drop Billy posted a Grade 1 win over the track in Lexington, Ky., taking last October’s Breeders’ Futurity. By returning for the Blue Grass, he’ll follow a path similar to Brody’s Cause, a 2016 Kentucky Derby starter for the Romans barn who was also campaigned by Albaugh Family Stables.
“It’s an obvious place for him,” Romans said. “He likes the racetrack.”
With 24 points, Free Drop Billy is likely in the Kentucky Derby with a Top 3 Blue Grass finish. Tiz Mischief, however, seemingly needs to win or fill out the exacta with six points so far earned on the Derby trail. Owned by Frank Jones, the Into Mischief colt was fifth last out in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby. But dating back to his juvenile campaign exits a game runner-up in what’s become a key race, Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Jockey Club.
Romans originally mentioned King Zachary for Saturday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby. At third asking, and going 1 1/16 miles, the $550,000 yearling won by 7 3/4 lengths on March 18 at Gulfstream Park. The son of Curlin is New York-bound with Romans looking for his first Wood Memorial win.
Romans also sent two horses in last Sunday’s Grade 3 Sunland Derby, with Seven Trumpets’ fourth-place effort leading the way for the barn. Hollywood Star was 11th of 12.
“Both of them, I’d say, are off the Derby trail right now,” Romans said.
He mentioned Seven Trumpets as a candidate for the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard, or the horse could return April 14 in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Lexington Stakes.
As for Hollywood Star, who flashed plenty of potential as a juvenile, “We’ve just got to figure out why he’s run so poorly. He’s a really good horse. He just has not done well this year, so we’ll try to figure him out.”