Romans keeping options open with Promises Fulfilled

Promises Fulfilled earned himself a fees-paid berth back to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint by virtue of his easy 4 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2 John A Nerud Stakes. But his trainer, Dale Romans, said he’s not ruling the Dirt Mile out when his speedster returns to the Breeders’ Cup this fall at Santa Anita.

Promises Fulfilled led throughout as the odds on favorite in the seven-furlong Nerud, posting a career-best 108 Beyer Speed Figure in the process. The win was the first in four starts for Promises Fulfilled, who captured the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens at Saratoga last summer and subsequently finished fourth after setting the early pace in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

“There’s no reason not to put the Dirt Mile on the radar at this point,” Romans said. “It’s such a tough division from six furlongs to a mile this year. I’m not one to duck anybody, but I would like to take the path of least resistance with him if I can, and that includes in the Breeders’ Cup.”

Promises Fulfilled was scheduled to arrive at Saratoga on Tuesday with the Grade 1 Forego on Aug. 24 his primarily goal at the moment.

“Right now, we’re just going to plan backwards from the Breeders’ Cup with the Forego definitely down that road for him at the moment,” Romans said. “I know they also have the Vanderbilt up there first, and he does love that racetrack. Anything is possible, although we might just sit and wait for the Forego.”