In a stakes-record performance beneath the Twin Spires, Romeo (Honor A. P.) inspired more than a few romantic notions of what could be as he gamely claimed the hardware in the Bashford Manor Stakes on closing day at Churchill Downs.
In his career debut at Laurel May 3, Romeo showed a glimmer of what he can do when galloping home an easy winner by over 10 lengths as the 4-5 favorite. He claimed third in the June 5 Tremont Stakes at the Spa–where Florida-bred Mythical (St Patrick's Day) put up a monster performance on the front end to win and earn a 93 Beyer figure.
Facing down some tough company here, the Maryland-bred was sent off at 8-1odds while adding an extra sixteenth in his first start at the distance. Out of the gate well to make it three in a line for the lead with Comport (Collected) and Spice Runner (Gun Runner), Romeo overtook that pair entering the turn and was in command as they hit the top of the lane. Comport made a run at that one in mid-stretch but Romeo would not be denied despite drifting out late. Password (Uncle Mo) would come on late to claim third. The final time was a stakes record 1:08.65.
Jockey Xavier Perez was making his first start at Churchill Downs, and took home his first stakes win at the venue en route to his stylish victory here.
“This is my first time at Churchill Downs and it was great to get a stakes win with this horse,” said Perez. “I was watching the races the last couple days and today it looked like speed was holding pretty well. He broke sharp and went right to the front. Around the turn I asked him to go and he took off. Things didn't work out (in the Tremont) but he came out of that race really well and trained like a beast. I'm glad we took a chance to send him here.”
From the immediate female family of juvenile champion Midshipman and that one's half-sister GSW Fast Cookie–dam of MGISW Frosted, via third dam Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags), Fancy Love has produced her first black-type horse in Romeo. In addition to that juvenile, who is the most recent of racing age, she claims a yearling Frosted colt and followed him up with a filly by Oscar Performance this term.
Fancy Love is a half-sister to SP Addison Run (Unbridled's Song), who herself produced MGSP Final Jeopardy (Street Sense) and MGISP Gouverneur Morris (Constitution).
Romeo & Xavier Perez win the Bashford Manor Stakes for John Robb! pic.twitter.com/wgRyE7O5ZW
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) June 29, 2025
BASHFORD MANOR S., $194,500, Churchill Downs, 6-29, 2yo, 6f, 1:08.61, ft.
1–ROMEO, 120, c, 2, by Honor A. P.
1st Dam: Fancy Love, by Not For Love
2nd Dam: Fleet and Fancy, by Touch Gold
3rd Dam: Fleet Lady, by Avenue of Flags
($14,000 RNA Ylg '24 EASOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Joseph Lloyd; B-John C. Davison (MD); T-John J. Robb; J-Xavier Perez. $106,330. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $156,760.
2–Comport, 120, c, 2, Collected–Bartlett Narrows, by Flatter. ($135,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Joseph W. Sutton; B-Edwin Anthony (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally. $44,300.
3–Password, 118, c, 2, Uncle Mo–Secret, by Street Cry (Ire). ($450,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. $22,150.
Margins: 3 3/4, 7, 1HF. Odds: 8.35, 4.53, 1.35.
Also Ran: Duke of Suggins, Spice Runner, Saul Elliott, Longstrider.
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