Mr Freeze thriving in advance of Gulfstream Park Mile

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Dale Romans is hoping Mr Freeze runs well enough Saturday in a rugged renewal of the Grade 2, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile to merit sending the 5-year-old horse to Dubai for the March 28 Godolphin Mile.

Romans, however, would prefer not to make the overseas trip himself.

“I’m planning on standing right about here,” Romans said from his familiar perch in the Gulfstream Park grandstand as training wound down Sunday.

It’s getting to be that time of year, when scheduling conflicts are actually fun and lucrative for the trainers of top horses. March 28 also is Florida Derby Day, and Romans is hoping Dennis’ Moment will turn in such a big effort here Saturday in the featured Fountain of Youth that the colt will be favored in the Florida Derby, the annual Gulfstream showcase.

“A lot of big days are right ahead,” he said.

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The last six months have been very good to Mr Freeze, whose hot-and-cold form as a younger horse has finally smoothed out. After three solid races in Kentucky – a win in the Ack Ack, a second in the Fayette, and a third in the Clark – he earned $554,000 for owners Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister by finishing second in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 25 at Gulfstream. Remarkably, Mr Freeze earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure in all of those races except the Clark, when he got a 99.

“He’s very classy and now he’s consistent,” Romans said. “That’s a pretty good combination. The good thing about this race is a mile is probably his best distance. I like cutting them back from two turns to a one-turn mile.”

Mr Freeze blew out for the Gulfstream Mile by going five furlongs in 1:00.20 here Sunday over a fast track.

“I thought it was a spectacular work, maybe the best he’s ever gone,” Romans said. “I’d been on the fence about whether or not to go in this race, but he’s almost forcing me to run him.”

Mr Freeze will face an outstanding lineup of older horses. Among the probables are Bodexpress, Diamond Oops, Do Share, Haikal, Hog Creek Hustle, Phat Man, True Timber, Zenden, and a second Romans runner, Rare Form.

Hog Creek Hustle arrived here last week, with trainer Vickie Foley accompanying the late-running 4-year-old on the flight from New Orleans. He is stabled in Barn 7 with the Romans horses.

Zenden, trained by Todd Pletcher, earned a career-high 100 Beyer when leading most of the way before being nailed late by Phat Man in the Grade 3 Hooper on the Pegasus undercard.

“It was a huge race for him last time,” Pletcher said. “He did all the dirty work and kept fighting til the end.”

The Fountain of Youth and Gulfstream Mile are among nine graded stakes on a blockbuster Saturday card.