Romans works his Saratoga stakes horses
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With an eye toward stakes on the Aug. 24 Travers Day card, trainer Dale Romans put a trio of horses through workouts Friday morning at Saratoga.
Everfast, the Preakness runner-up who is pointing to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers, worked a half-mile in 48.55 seconds. He went his opening quarter in 24.16 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.62. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Haskell Invitational on July 20 at Monmouth Park.
“I thought he worked great, he’s just the little engine that could, he just keeps on keeping on,” Romans said. “Why not give him another chance, he’s always knocking on the door, grinding it out, and making money in these races. Half the battle is the willingness to try.”
Coach Rocks, second to Midnight Bisou in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher on the Haskell card, worked a half-mile in 47.64, going her opening quarter in 23.48 and galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.76. She is pointing to the Grade 1 Personal Ensign, where she figures to again face Midnight Bisou as well as Elate.
“She just galloped around there, she’s really come into her own,” Romans said. “She looks good. We’ll try her again with the big girls and see what happens.”
Lastly, Promises Fulfilled, winner of the Grade 2 John Nerud Stakes on July 6 at Belmont, worked a slow half-mile in 52.04 on Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch’s watch.
“He went fast last week, he’s going to have another work next week,” Romans said. “He hasn’t missed a beat, we just went slow with him.”
Shorter days starting Wednesday
Starting Wednesday, approximately 30 minutes will be shaved off a daily race card at Saratoga, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday.
A 10-race card that has started at 1 p.m. and had a last post of 6:25 p.m. will now have a last post of 5:50 p.m. On days when a steeplechase is run, final post will be 5:38 instead of 6:20.
“In response to feedback from horseplayers, fans, and the Saratoga Springs community, we have decided to speed up the race day,” said Patrick McKenna, NYRA’s director communications and public affairs.