Romans pointing Dennis' Moment to Cigar Mile
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Dennis’ Moment, a last-out allowance winner at Keeneland, will make his next start in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 4 at Aqueduct, trainer Dale Romans said Sunday from California.
Dennis’ Moment, owned by the Albaugh family of Iowa, had gone winless for more than two years before taking an Oct. 21 allowance at Keeneland with a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. The 4-year-old colt has had a star-crossed career, posting a 97 Beyer in his second start and then easily winning the Iroquois with flair before everything suddenly went awry.
As the odds-on favorite in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, the colt stumbled badly at the break and trailed throughout. He then went winless in four subsequent well-spaced starts before finally finding the winner’s circle at Keeneland with a solid effort.
“We think we’ve got him good again,” said Romans. “We’d love to win a Grade 1 with him for his stud career and everything, but mostly because he deserves it. He’s a top horse.”
Meanwhile, Romans is excited about what the future holds for Howling Time, whose 3 1/4-length victory under Joe Talamo in the opening-day Street Sense at Churchill kept the 2-year-old colt unbeaten in two starts. Howling Time, also owned by the Albaughs, goes next in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club here Nov. 27.
“You never know how they’ll develop, but this is one we definitely think can take us places,” said Romans.