Romans hoping ninth time in Derby will be the charm

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As far as Dale Romans is concerned, when it comes to trying to win the Kentucky Derby, eight is more than enough.

“I’ve been in it eight times. It’s time to get there and win it,” he said in the winner’s circle at Gulfstream Park on Saturday night.

Romans had just won the Fountain of Youth Stakes with Promises Fulfilled, part of a large group of 3-year-olds Romans has in position to earn berths in this year’s Derby on May 5. He will try to continue his hot hand this Saturday, as he has runners in two of the day’s three significant prep races, the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham at Aqueduct and the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.

Free Drop Billy was one of three horses Romans entered in the Fountain of Youth, but the trainer decided to re-route him to the Gotham, leaving Promises Fulfilled and Storm Runner, who finished seventh, in the Fountain of Youth.

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Free Drop Billy will be cutting back in distance and turns. After finishing second in the Holy Bull going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream, he tries a one-turn mile in the Gotham. His rivals are expected to include course-and-distance specialist Firenze Fire, as well as Enticed. Romans also is expected to enter the longshot Cove Blue in the Gotham. Tiz Mischief, third in the Holy Bull, heads to Tampa for that track’s biggest race for 3-year-olds. Tiz Mischief is expected to face the likes of Flameaway, Untamed Domain, Vino Rosso, and the speedy World of Trouble.

Tiz Mischief has yet to win a stakes race, but is twice stakes placed. He finished his 2-year-old campaign with a second-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.

Romans, the son of a trainer, grew up in the shadow of Churchill Downs, and the Derby is a race he has long coveted. He had his first Derby runner in 2006, and has had an entrant the past four years, and seven of the last eight. He has finished third twice, with Paddy O’Prado in 2010 and Dullahan in 2012.

The one race Romans won’t be in Saturday might be the most anticipated of the prep season so far. The Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita features two of the best 3-year-olds in the country in Grade 1 winners McKinzie and Bolt d’Oro.

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McKinzie has not raced since the Sham Stakes in January, a schedule that was by design. Bolt d’Oro will be making his first start of the year. He has not raced since finishing third behind Good Magic in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The San Felipe also is expected to include Kanthaka, Lombo, and Restoring Hope, among others.

The Gotham, San Felipe, and Tampa Bay Derby all are worth 85 points overall on the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the Derby, with 50 points going to the winner, making all three races essentially win and you’re in events.

Promises Fulfilled got 50 points in the Fountain of Youth. Romans is looking to put more points on the scoreboard this weekend.

– additional reporting by David Grening and Marty McGee