Videos: Promises Fulfilled, Audible top Florida Derby works

Robert Baron’s Promises Fulfilled breezed five furlongs Saturday in 1:02.08 at Gulfstream Park toward a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby on March 31.

It was the second breeze since the Dale Romans-trained colt captured the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) March 3 at Gulfstream Park.

“I thought he worked beautifully," Romans said. "He was moving good. He just went nice and easy in the last work before the race.

Exercise rider Faustino Orates was aboard for the breeze, while Robby Albarado has the mount for the Florida Derby.

Albarado is 2-for-2 aboard Promised Fulfilled, having been aboard for the Kentucky-bred’s debut victory at Churchill Downs Sept. 17 and an allowance at Keeneland Oct. 13. Promises Fulfilled finished third behind Enticed and Tiz Mischief at Churchill in the Nov. 25 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) after fighting jockey Alex Canchari while drifting out in his 2017 finale. He returned to score a 2 ¼-length victory under Irad Ortiz Jr. in the March 3 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream in his 2018 debut.

“I think he’s three lengths away from being the favorite for the Derby right now,” said Romans, referring to the troubled trip in the Kentucky Jockey Club. “He’d be 4-for-4, which he very much should have been.”  

Romans couldn’t be more pleased with Promises Fulfilled’s training on the road to the Triple Crown. 

“It’s been a great winter for him,” Romans said. “Hopefully, he’ll go out with a bang.”

Storm Runner, who finished a troubled seventh in the Fountain of Youth, breezed five furlongs in 59.17 seconds under Tammy Fox in preparation for the Florida Derby.

“I thought he worked good and Tammy gave me the thumbs-up,” Romans said. “She was impressed.”

Audible Preps with Half-Mile Breeze 

Todd Pletcher-trained Audible breezed a half-mile in 49.19 seconds Saturday morning at Palm Beach Downs 

The son of Into Mischief worked in company with Vino Rossi, who finished fourth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) two weeks ago and was also clocked in 49.19.

Audible finished third in his Sept. 27 debut at Belmont Park before winning his next three races, including a 5 ½-length romp in the $350,000 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Feb. 3. 

“I thought it was a standard Audible work," said Pletcher, who trains the New York-bred for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International and SF Racing. "He’s not an overzealous workhorse, but he put in a nice 49 on a track that isn’t playing particularly fast. He galloped out with some enthusiasm. He seems like he’s training consistently with the way he was training up to the Holy Bull and some of his other races.

“He seems like he’s had a good time since the Holy Bull. He seems to be coming up to the Florida Derby in good order.”

Fire When Ready Works at Santa Anita

Loooch Racing Stables’ Fire When Ready prepped for a scheduled start in the Florida Derby Saturday morning at Santa Anita, breezing six furlongs in 1:14 3/5.

“We got the last quarter in 24 and two-fifths (seconds). He went well,” trainer Bob Hess Jr. said. “He tucked in behind two horses and got a lot of kickback. He quickened up late, shot through along the rail and finished up a length ahead of the other two.”

Assistant trainer Rosie Higgins, wife of jockey Kent Desormeaux, was aboard for the breeze. Albin Jimenez has the mount for the Florida Derby.

Fire When Ready is scheduled to be shipped to Gulfstream Monday.

Fire When Ready was privately purchased by Loooch Racing following his four-length victory in a $30,000 maiden race at Los Alamitos Dec. 17. The Kentucky-bred son of Empire Way came right back to capture a two-turn mile allowance Jan. 24 at Santa Anita. In his most recent race, Fire When Ready finished fourth in the California Cup Derby for California-breds and horses sired by California stallions.

In addition to Promises Fulfilled, Storm Runner, Audible and Fire When Ready, the Florida Derby field is expected to include Strike Power, Catholic Boy, and Millionaire Runner.