Romans considering Howling Time for Belmont Stakes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Howling Time is being considered for the Belmont Stakes off a resounding recent allowance victory, although trainer Dale Romans cautioned the colt might run back the same weekend in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Howling Time earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure with a five-length triumph over Rattle N Roll and five other 3-year-olds in a May 21 allowance going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill. It was enough to lead Romans to put the June 11 Belmont into play, with the Matt Winn the next day being the alternative.
“We’re going to talk about it further over the weekend,” said Romans. “We haven’t decided one way or another. All options are open.”
Howling Time won the Street Sense at Churchill last October, making him a candidate for the spring classics. The son of the hot young sire Not This Time then finished well back in the Kentucky Jockey Club, Fountain of Youth, and Lexington, with his latest score under Joe Talamo representing a welcome turnabout.
Howling Time, owned by the Albaugh Family Stables, was getting Lasix for the first time in the last win. Lasix is not permitted in graded stakes such as the 1 1/2-mile Belmont or the 1 1/16-mile Matt Winn.
“You never know if the Lasix may’ve had something to do with how big he ran,” said Romans, “but he’d never shown any signs of bleeding before. Hopefully it’s more a matter of him starting to mature and come around than anything else. He came out of the race in great shape.”
It’s been 10 years since Romans won the 2012 Preakness with Shackleford, his only victory in a Triple Crown event. That was the same year Romans was voted the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer with career highs in wins (125) and stable earnings ($11.8 million).
Recent times have not been as kind to the 55-year-old Louisville native. Howling Time in the Street Sense last fall is his only stakes victory since October 2020, and his 2021 stable earnings of $2.5 million were his lowest since 2000. Still, he’s unfazed.
“That was a big win for us the other day,” he said. “I think we’re going the right way again.”
Howling Time joins 10 other known prospects for the $1.5 million Belmont. As of Friday morning, the other 3-year-olds are Barber Road, Creative Minister, Ethereal Road, Golden Glider, Kuchar, Mo Donegal, Nest, Rich Strike, Skippylongstocking, and We the People.
Rich Strike, winner of the May 7 Kentucky Derby at 80-1, will breeze between the fifth and sixth races Monday at Churchill before leaving the following day for New York, trainer Eric Reed reaffirmed Friday. Rich Strike did not run in the May 21 Preakness, which was won by Early Voting. Both Early Voting and Epicenter, runner-up in both the Derby and Preakness, are skipping the Belmont.