Romans gets 2,000th win of training career

Dale Romans scarcely could have imagined he would accomplish as much in racing as he has when he began his training career by going 0 for 52 in 1986. So, when Caroline Lois gave him his 2,000th career victory Saturday by winning the fourth race at Gulfstream Park, the memories came flooding back.

“I can’t imagine ever having a better feeling than I did when I won my first race with a $3,500 maiden claimer at Turfway [in January 1987],” said Romans, 52. “But this is really a credit to all the people I’ve been surrounded with. I’ve really been blessed. You can’t do it without the help and the owners I’ve had.”

Caroline Lois, owned by Bob Baron, was ridden by Romans’s longtime friend, Robby Albarado. The 3-year-old Paynter filly returned $11.80 after taking charge with a quarter-mile to go in the seven-furlong maiden-claiming race.

Romans has won such major events as the 2005 Dubai World Cup with Roses In May and the 2011 Preakness with Shackleford, as well as three Breeders’ Cup races. “There’ve been so many great moments,” said Romans, who earned the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer in 2012. “But you really couldn’t have done it without the support I’ve had, from the hotwalkers and grooms who’ve taken such great care of these horses all the way up to the millionaires who buy them. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”

Through Saturday, Romans has amassed stable earnings of nearly $106 million from 12,883 starters.

Born and raised in Louisville, Ky., where he is the all-time winningest trainer at Churchill Downs, Romans and his life partner, Tammy Fox, have two adult children, Bailey and Jake. Jake Romans is now the agent for Albarado.

:: Want to get the latest news with your past performances? Try DRF’s new digital PPs