Tom Pedulla interviews main homeowners, trainers and jockeys as he travels the Street to the 149th Kentucky Derby (G1) on Could 6. Churchill Downs.
This week’s installment options coach Dale Romans. Louisville, Ky. The native has cherished his dream of driving the Kentucky Derby winner ever since he was a child serving to out his father, Jerry, a coach at Churchill Downs. Dale, 56, is finest identified for: Sharp Ice unhappy American Pharaoh On the 2015 Travers Stakes (G1) Saratoga Raceway. He broke information in Triple Crown races. Shackleford On the 2011 Preakness Stakes (G1).
Romans on the way in which to Derby with Albaugh Household Stables and Castleton Lyons Hurricane Mischief Needing a robust efficiency within the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 1 Gulfstream Park. This into mischief colt took an encouraging third at Gulfstream on the Spring of Youth Positive aspects (G2) on March 4 and set the tempo earlier than weakening.
The Florida Derby presents Kentucky Derby qualifying factors to high 5 finishers on a 100-40-30-20-10 foundation. Cyclone Mischief enters the ultimate large South Florida prep with 15 Kentucky Derby qualifying factors.
Romans mentioned her Louisville roots, the prospects for Cyclone Mischief, and her troublesome determination to endure life-changing weight-loss surgical procedure as a part of a question-and-answer session held for America’s Greatest Racing.
PEDULLA: What’s an important lesson you discovered out of your father?
ROMANS: There are in all probability some ways to measure success, and considered one of them is to only keep within the recreation, be round and have the ability to do it for a few years to return.
PEDULLA: Has your profession path all the time been clear?
ROMANS: I by no means considered doing anything. For so long as I can keep in mind, it is all the time been about racehorses.
PEDULLA: You had been a part of the workforce that chosen Cyclone Mischief for Albaugh Household Stables at Keeneland’s September sale. What satisfied you and others that it was well worth the $450,000 buy worth?
ROMANS: We have now a giant workforce working for Albaugh, and so they have a system in place. They’ve to leap by way of many hoops. He had the fitting pedigree, he had the fitting look. It bought on our shortlist and fortunately we bought together with it.
PEDULLA: Is it towards him that it is April thirtieth?
ROMANS: It in all probability has. We have not seen the perfect of him but.
PEDULLA: Does this race stay a thriller to you, as he positioned seventh within the February 4th Holy Bull Stakes (G3) as a defeated favorite?
ROMANS: Sure, he simply threw a log.
PEDULLA: How a lot did the Fountain of Youth encourage you?
ROMANS: I feel it was among the best races run by 3-year-olds this spring with course high quality, so it provides us lots of hope.
PEDULLA: The Hurricane Mischief set the tempo on the Fountain of Youth. Is that it or does he need to run like this?
ROMANS: One factor we have discovered is do not hug it. If it is third place, that is fantastic. Simply do not attempt to maintain it and get it again.
PEDULLA: power An awesome favourite within the Florida Derby. What are your expectations from Cyclone Mischief in that race?
ROMANS: We all know it is going to be troublesome to beat the champion. However we need to accumulate sufficient factors to maneuver on to the subsequent degree and discover a strategy to beat him within the Derby.
PEDULLA: How good is Forte?
ROMANS: I used to be very impressed with him. Actually, he had a terrific season at 2 years previous. Not each horse turns the nook from 2 to three. It positively seems to be like he is again. It seems to be like the pinnacle of the crop by far.
PEDULLA: You could have all the time been honest about your lifelong battle to drop extra pounds. Was it a troublesome determination while you lastly had a profitable sleeve gastrectomy on December 15, 2021?
ROMANS: It did. It took me some time to chew the bullet. However I knew lots of people I trusted who had it achieved, and so they all suggested me to do it. It was the perfect factor I’ve ever achieved.
PEDULLA: Your weight has reached 385 kilos. Is it truthful to explain the process as life-changing for you?
ROMANS: Life-changing and life-prolonging.
PEDULLA: Lastly, as a Louisville native, do you’re feeling extra stress to win the Kentucky Derby?
ROMANS: I do not suppose I really feel any greater than others. I feel there are lots of people in Louisville who wish to see me win one, and I recognize that. I feel you’ve gotten extra help than stress.
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