Romans targeting Lane's End upset

Dale Romans has been looking forward to returning to his Kentucky roots. The 43-year-old trainer spent most of this past winter in south Florida, as usual, but like many racetrack lifers, he invokes a familiar refrain as the next move beckons: "Can't wait to get there, love being there, can't wait to leave."

Soon enough, Romans will be back in his Louisville digs, back in his routine. His life partner, Tammy Fox, and their two teenaged children, Bailey and Jake, will be glad to have him back around on a daily basis. And there will be the road trips to Keeneland next month, although they will be tinged with sadness. For years, Romans often made the 75-minute drive in the company of Bobby Stallings, but no more. Stallings, his mentor and friend, died March 15 at age 67 after a lengthy illness.