Promises Fulfilled wires field in H. Allen Jerkens Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Dale Romans said all along it would mean a lot to him if he could win the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens, a race named in honor of the Hall of Fame horseman and his longtime close friend. But Romans took his dream one step further Saturday at Saratoga, not only winning the $500,000 Allen Jerkens but sweeping the top two spots after Promises Fulfilled registered a 1 1/4-length decision over stablemate Seven Trumpets.

“That was very special,” Romans said in the winner’s circle after the race. “Allen and I were very close. He was not only a good friend but a mentor in life. It’s an honor to win that race. And to get up for second, we might have had a little divine intervention.”

Promises Fulfilled entered the seven furlong Allen Jerkens off the best race of his career, a 3 1/4 length victory in the Grade 3 Amsterdam here earlier in the session for which he earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure. And, to nobody’s surprise, the speedy son of Shackleford sprinted right to the lead after breaking alertly from the rail under jockey Luis Saez.

Promises Fulfilled got away with a soft opening quarter in 22.66 then picked up the pace around the bend, completing a half in 44.34 while stalked by Gidu during the early going. Promises Fulfilled turned back a serious challenge from Engage after angling wide into the stretch, came back to the rail while edging clear through midstretch, and maintained a safe advantage over Seven Trumpets at the end.

Seven Trumpets recovered from a slow start to race close up along the rail, eased out to go after his stablemate near midstretch, and while not good enough remained second-best, a half-length in front of Firenze Fire. The latter, like Promises Fulfilled, exiting the race of his life in the Grade 3 Dwyer, raced wide while within striking distance throughout but lacked the necessary closing response. Engage finished another neck farther back in fourth after making a big run to be on even terms with the winner entering the stretch.

Owned by Robert Baron, Promises Fulfilled covered seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:21.44 and paid $4.50.

“I thought the pace was slow for him, he’s been going :43 in his last two races,” said Romans. “When they’re running all clumped up like that, the ones chasing you are running fast, too, and it’s just a matter of who has the most stamina. And we know what kind of stamina he has. He’s very special. I’m also very proud of Seven Trumpets. I can’t believe he was that big a price. These are two good horses and it gives us a lot to look forward to down the road.”