Dennis' Moment, none worse for Breeders' Cup Juvenile stumble, heads to farm for a break

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dennis’ Moment left the Dale Romans stable at Churchill Downs early Thursday for WinStar Farm, where the star-crossed colt will get about 45 days off before being reunited with his trainer in Florida sometime next month.

Romans said the Albaugh Family Stables colt was examined “really closely” by equine veterinarian John Garrity prior to being sent to WinStar in Versailles, Ky.

“We even had him out for a jog one morning and a gallop one morning before he left,” said Romans. “Everything is fine, health-wise. We’re just giving him a little break so that we’ll have a fresh horse when we really get going with him early next year” in pointing to the 146th Kentucky Derby next May 2 at Churchill.

Dennis’ Moment, a 2-year-old son of Tiznow, stumbled badly at the start of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last Saturday at Santa Anita and never recovered, trailing throughout to finish 21 lengths behind the winner, Storm the Court. A Tiznow colt, Dennis’ Moment was the 9-10 favorite after two straight flashy wins.

Romans, the all-time leading trainer in Churchill history with 735 wins (through Thursday), said the terrible start was “a nightmare, for sure, but we’re over it now and looking ahead to May.”