Romans juggling preps for Derby prospects

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Dale Romans thrives on controlled chaos. With a handful of hopefuls for the 2018 Kentucky Derby, Romans is doing his level best to cut through all the clutter and various options and make it back home to Louisville with one shot or more at the roses.

So far, none of his five prospects are among the Derby favorites, but it’s still early. Free Drop Billy and Tiz Mischief both ran okay when second and third, respectively, behind Audible in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park, and Hollywood Star was beaten nearly 10 lengths Saturday in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Next up for Romans are Seven Trumpets and possibly Promises Fulfilled, both of whom were sent through five-furlong works on recent mornings at Gulfstream. Seven Trumpets went in 1:00.72 on Monday, one day after Promises Fulfilled went in a bullet 59.60 seconds.

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Romans confirmed Seven Trumpets as being on target for a run in Monday’s 1 1/16-mile Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and it’s possible that Promises Fulfilled may join him on the trip.

“It’s all a fluid situation,” said Romans, adding he might wait for the Gotham Stakes, a one-mile race March 10 at Aqueduct, with Promises Fulfilled.

Seven Trumpets, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, was beaten just a half-length when second to Firenze Fire in the Jan. 13 Jerome going a mile at Aqueduct. Promises Fulfilled, third as the pacesetter behind Enticed and Tiz Mischief in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in his final start at 2, missed some time in early January with a minor ailment.

“He had just a little something that put us behind schedule, but we’re good now,” Romans said. “He’s only had three works back, but he was so good [Sunday] that I’m thinking about going ahead and sending him to Hot Springs with the other one.”

Romans said he could run Free Drop Billy and/or Tiz Mischief back in the next major prep at Gulfstream, the March 3 Fountain of Youth, while keeping his eyes peeled for alternative spots. He is unsure what’s next for Hollywood Star.

“I’m open to suggestions,” he said with a laugh.

A sixth highly regarded 3-year-old trained by Romans, Dak Attack, was ruled off the Derby trail recently when undergoing minor surgery on a chronically troubled shin.