Roman Power gets a Bonde colt again

Will another Jeff Bonde-trained colt keep Roman Power out of the winner's circle in Saturday's $50,000 Everett Nevin Futurity at the Alameda County Fair?

Roman Power turned in one of the best races by a 2-year-old during the Pleasanton meet June 27, setting a fast pace in a five-furlong maiden race and finishing 7 1/2 lengths in front of the next horse. Unfortunately for him, the Bonde-trained Sway Away was 3 1/4 lengths in front of him.

In Saturday's 5 1/2-furlong stakes race for California-bred juveniles, Roman Power will have to hold off the Bonde-trained Lucky Mr. K, a 4 1/2-length winner in his Hollywood Park debut.

Trainer Roger Hansen noted that the Kentucky-bred Sway Away would be a heavy favorite if he were in the Everett Nevin, and that makes Roman Power look strong in Saturday's race.

"I hate to bring him back so quickly, but we want to take advantage of being a Cal-bred," Hansen said.

Roman Power disappointed Hansen when he finished fifth after showing brief speed in his June 11 debut, which came at Golden Gate Fields.

"We changed a couple things and think we found out some things," Hansen said.

Roman Power cut out swift fractions of 22.20 and 44.22 seconds and still finished better than anyone not named Sway Away in their meeting here. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 72.

Hansen said he was a little disappointed with his post position Saturday. Roman Power drew post 3 in the seven-horse race, with perhaps his main pace rival, the Santa Anita maiden winner Warren's Gus, outside of him in post 6.

Lucky Mr. K was fifth to the quarter pole in his June 23 debut at Hollywood Park, but when jockey Victor Espinosa cut him loose, he quickly blew past the rest of the field and extended his lead to the wire.

Even though Lucky Mr. K's Beyer Figure came back 25 points less than Roman Power's, Bonde said he thinks Lucky Mr. K's professionalism gives him a chance to win Saturday.

"It was a sign of versatility," Bonde said. "For a first start, it was a very professional performance. A lot of young horses flash speed and give you a win, but their first race is their best race. To me, it looks like he has a good future."