Gulfstream Park: Romans pair have big futures

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Dale Romans said he will skip the Florida Derby with Medal Count, who finished fifth, beaten 8 1/4 lengths by Wildcat Red, in the Fountain of Youth. Medal Count won his turf debut in a dead heat here this winter under high-priced entry-level optional-claiming conditions.

“I think he’s one of the most talented 3-year-olds out there,” Romans said. “He’s still got to put it all together, and at the moment, we’re discussing what our options are for him next time. Right now, it looks like we’ll probably concentrate on getting him back to the turf and try to make him a real good 3-year-old turf horse the rest of the year.”

[Clocker Reports: Get Mike Welsch’s clocker reports from Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows]

Romans also is looking forward to a big 4-year-old campaign for Coin Broker, who registered his second consecutive victory when rallying to a 1 3/4-length decision over Harris going 1 1/16 miles in a first-level allowance race here Saturday. Coin Broker, a son of Tapit, started just once as a 3-year-old, catching no less an opponent than Verrazano when launching his career here Jan. 1, 2013. He was idle for almost a full year before returning to action earlier in the meet and earned a career-best 95 Beyer Speed Figure for his impressive performance last weekend.

“I always thought he had a lot of talent, but he had a bunch of minor issues that forced me to back off on him at 3,” Romans said. “And I have to give my owners a lot of credit for being so patient waiting for him to get back to the races this winter.”

Romans said he has nothing picked out for Coin Broker’s next start, which could come either in a second-level allowance race or a stakes.

“I’m not so sure I want to throw him to the wolves against those older handicap horses just yet,” Romans said. “We’ll just see how things come up when we get to Keeneland.”