Romans barn regroups after disappointing Derby weekend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dale Romans has his stakes contingent preparing for the next round of battle after a somewhat disappointing Kentucky Derby weekend that was salvaged by a Grade 1 victory for the stable.

A triumph by Molly Morgan in the Grade 1 La Troienne on the Kentucky Oaks undercard helped take some of the sting out of a fifth-place finish by Birdatthewire in the Oaks, a seventh by Keen Ice in the Derby, and defeats for five other Romans runners in stakes during the two-day extravaganza.

“She’s been a really nice horse for us,” Romans said of Molly Morgan, a 6-year-old Ghostzapper mare with earnings of $882,159.

He said the main goal for Molly Morgan this summer will be the Delaware Handicap, a Grade 1, $750,000 race July 6.

Birdatthewire, never a serious factor as the 5-1 third choice in the Oaks, will be pointed to the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 26 at Saratoga, probably with another race in between, said Romans.

Keen Ice is being aimed at the June 6 Belmont Stakes, said Romans, after his “sneaky-good” effort in the Derby.

“This was one of the cleanest-run Derbies I’ve ever seen, except for Keen Ice and maybe another horse or two,” he said. “If he gets a clear run for a quarter-mile instead of just the last furlong, I’m sure he would’ve been closer.”

Romans said he has “no excuse” for Taylor S, a no-threat sixth at 7-2 in the Eight Belles Stakes, “other than she’s thrown in a clunker like that before.”

Through Thursday, Romans had four winners at this spring meet after having the most starts (23) of any trainer.

** On Thursday, chief steward Barbara Borden said she and her fellow stewards have closely scrutinized the replay of the Derby, and no action is warranted in regard to jockey Victor Espinoza having smacked American Pharoah with his whip 32 times during the race.

Whereas some other states have rules that limit the number of times the whip can be used, there is not a maximum number in Kentucky. Following the implementation of new equipment standards several years ago, whips now used in Kentucky are much softer – and less punitive for horses – than they once were.

** Trainer Bret Calhoun has confirmed the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes on the Belmont Stakes card as the next race for Promise Me Silver, the Texas-bred filly who ran her unbeaten streak to eight by winning the Grade 3 Eight Belles on Oaks Day.

“Very seldom do you get one with the whole package like she’s got: ability, soundness, health, and a brilliant mind,” said Calhoun. “She’s a special filly, that’s for sure.”

** Sebastian Saez, the 17-year-old younger brother of New York-based riding star Luis Saez and the late Juan Saez, had the first winner of his career when guiding Bob’s Gone Wild to a wire-to-wire score in the last race here Thursday. The winner came in his 14th career mount.

Saez grew up in Panama and idolized his older brothers. His agent is former jockey Julio Espinoza, who was the agent for and a father figure to Juan Saez, who died tragically last October in a spill at Indiana Grand at age 18.

** Nicolas Milford gave a jubilant wave of his whip after passing under the wire aboard the victorious Pesky Cat in the fifth race Thursday. It was his first win at Churchill and the 82nd overall in a career that began in 2012.

Milford, 27, was born in Florida and grew up in Lexington, Ky., where he attended the North American Racing Academy for a year before starting his career on the East Coast, riding mostly at Charles Town. Milford was sidelined for nearly two years after getting injured in a spill in January 2013.

** Corey Lanerie, the leading rider at seven of the last eight Churchill meets, missed this entire week of racing while serving a four-day suspension stemming from an April 23 riding infraction at Keeneland. He will return Thursday.

“He’s been playing a lot of golf,” said his agent, Terry “Jaws” Miller.

** Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan will be taking off his three mounts Sunday as he starts serving a three-day suspension stemming from the disqualification of his mount, Sky Captain, from second to fourth in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Derby Day. The penalty runs through next Friday, with Bridgmohan back the following day to ride here, said agent Jay Fedor.

** Handle on the new Lucky 7 wager was a mere $25,549 and resulted in no perfect tickets being bought Thursday, the first day since a carryover of $55,290 was left over from Derby Day. The 10-cent jackpot wager is offered on the last seven races daily.