Romans works three Kentucky Derby prospects

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Dale Romans worked his trio of Kentucky Derby prospects just before the main track closed for training here at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Brody’s Cause was the star of the show, working five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 59.79 seconds while just tapped a couple of times to keep about his business. His gallop-out into a headwind was what really separated him from the rest, six furlongs in 1:12.07 before pulling up a mile in 1:40.15 over a racetrack that had been open since 5:30 a.m. and was pretty well cut up at the time.

Romans also sent out Cherry Wine, who went five furlongs from the half-mile pole 1:00.55, going pretty easily throughout before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.84 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:27.87.

Unbridled Outlaw was the last to go, the same five-eighths from the half-mile pole in 1:01.10 under more pressure than the others, pulling up in 1:13.81 while getting warm prior to and during the work.

Brody’s Cause, who turned in a disappointing effort in his 3-year-old debut in the Tampa Bay Derby, is scheduled to make his next start Saturday at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Blue Grass, according to Romans. He also said that Cherry Wine remains possible for either the Blue Grass or the Grade 1 Wood Memorial the same day at Aqueduct, while Unbridled Outlaw is being pointed for the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 16.

“Those are three nice horses,” said Romans. “The works were as good as they can be. They’re doing as good as they can do. If they’re good enough, they can all make it into the Derby. Even though Outlaw’s not a pretty-running horse, the efficiency is there. He keeps his legs straight ahead and his head low. He can really run. He might be as good as any of them.”

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