With Promises Fulfilled, Romans 'regrouping' for Kentucky Derby

Grade 2 Fountain of Youth front-running hero Promises Fulfilled published his first breeze back at Churchill Downs since his winter in Florida with a half-mile maintenance move in 49 seconds in preparation for the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

“We had a really good morning,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He breezed very easy and galloped out strong. It was exactly what we wanted to see.”

Owned by Robert Baron, Promises Fulfilled began his work at the three-eighths pole and clipped through opening eighth-mile fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and 37, before galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.40 and six furlongs in 1:14.80, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. 

A son of the former Romans-trained Shackleford, Promises Fulfilled faded to ninth in the March 31 Florida Derby (GI) after an early speed duel with Strike Power.

“Things really didn’t go our way that day,” Romans said. “We’re regrouping and excited to move on from that effort. When you have a horse that is a son of a former star you trained, it’s always special to showcase them on the grandest stage.”

Romans is the all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs with 710 victories but has yet to win a Kentucky Derby.

“The ultimate goal is always to win the Kentucky Derby,” Romans said. “I grew up my entire life on the backstretch of Churchill Downs in Barn 4. To win a Kentucky Derby would be the ultimate dream.”

Promises Fulfilled’s stablemate and probable Kentucky Derby entrant, Albaugh Family Stables’ Blue Grass (GII) third Free Drop Billy, galloped 1 ½ miles Saturday morning and is scheduled to breeze next weekend.

Jockey Robby Albarado is likely to pilot either Promises Fulfilled or Free Drop Billy in the Kentucky Derby but the second rider has yet to be confirmed, according to Romans.