Promising 2-year-old calls Romans back home

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s usually something important that pulls trainer Dale Romans away from his summer haven at Saratoga. The second start for a 2-year-old maiden named Dennis’ Moment qualifies.

“We think he’s a good horse, possibly one of my best,” said Romans.

Dennis’ Moment will run in the seventh race Saturday at Ellis Park in western Kentucky, and Romans will be on hand. With his daily training at Churchill Downs being overseen by longtime Romans assistant Baldemar Bahena, the Tiznow colt will try to erase the dubious memory of his eventful June 23 debut at Churchill.

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Well backed at 5-2 odds, Dennis’ Moment clipped heels when in tight quarters near the half-mile pole, unseating jockey Robby Albarado, who suffered a wrist fracture that will keep him sidelined until next month.

“It was very unfortunate,” said Romans. “Hopefully this next race will prove to us what a nice horse he’s going to become.”

Dennis’ Moment is named for Dennis Albaugh, the Iowa billionaire who races as Albaugh Family Stable. Albaugh paid $400,000 for the colt last summer at the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale at Saratoga.

While back home, Romans will also check in on Seven Trumpets, whose victory Sunday for West Point Thoroughbreds in the Good Lord Stakes at Ellis has earned him a trip to Del Mar for the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien on Aug. 24. Seven Trumpets, runner-up last summer in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens to his Romans stablemate Promises Fulfilled, earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure Sunday in his first start in nearly seven months.

Romans also has Dak Attack, winner of the 2017 Ellis Juvenile, entered in a Saturday allowance at Ellis, but the 4-year-old Ghostzapper colt will scratch after “having some trouble with the heat last weekend,” said Romans.

“He’s fine, but we’re going to wait a bit to run him,” he said.