Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford), upset winner of the GII Xpressbet Fountain of Youth S. on his seasonal return Mar. 3, hit the Churchill Downs worktab for the first time since shipping in from his winter home, clocking a half-mile in :49 flat as he prepares for a start in the GI Kentucky Derby May 5.
Owned by Robert Baron, the $37,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase clicked off fractions of :12.40, :24.80 and :37 before galloping out five panels in 1:01.40 and six furlongs in 1:14.80 according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
“We had a really good morning,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He breezed very easy and galloped out strong. It was exactly what we wanted to see.”
Promises Fulfilled, who had subsequent GII Toyota Blue Grass winner and champion Good Magic (Curlin) back in third in the Fountain of Youth, was part of a suicidal speed duel in the GI Florida Derby Mar. 31 and faded to ninth, but the conditioner is pressing on nonetheless with the son of the Romans-trained GI Preakness S. winner.
“Things really didn't go our way that day,” Romans said. “We're regrouping and excited to move on from that effort. When you have a horse that is a son of a former star you trained, it's always special to showcase them on the grandest stage.”
Robby Albarado will pilot either Promises Fulfilled or Free Drop Billy (Union Rags) in the Derby, with the second rider yet to be determined.
Romans also sent out Coach Rocks (Oxbow) for a half-mile breeze in advance of her next start in the May 4 GI Kentucky Oaks. The two-time Fasig-Tipton graduate was timed in :48.60 for four furlongs and was clocked in splits of :11.80, :23.80 and :36.20 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.80 and six panels in 1:16.20.
Coach Rocks broke her maiden by eight front-running lengths in her seventh career trip to the post on Valentine's Day, but came from off the pace last time to take the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks by 1 1/2 lengths.
“She looked great this morning,” Romans said. “She came out of the [Gulfstream Park] Oaks well and she's been training great at Churchill since we got her back here. The track has been a bit fast the last two weeks but it looked good this morning.”
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