NEWS
On the Backstretch with Dale Romans, Day 8 sponsored by The Sanctuary
Posted: Saturday, November 06, 2010 1:00 PM
Through November 7, trainer Dale Romans will share his thoughts as he prepares his stable for the Breeders' Cup World Championships
by Dale Romans and Teresa Genaro
Today’s a big day, especially with two horses going over; we’ve done this walk from the barn to the track several times with horses in the [Kentucky] Derby (G1). This is exciting, but nothing compares to the Derby. To me, everything is second to the Derby.
The Derby’s the most important because of my personal history with it; I grew up with the Derby. I’ve gone to so many of them, and being from here in Louisville, it’s the most special race to me.
The horses walked this morning and are ready to go. The draw was good for us; the two true speed horses are down inside of First Dude, so if they could both go, First Dude can drop right in behind them. That’d be perfect.
Paddy’ll probably break and settle ten or 12 lengths off of the lead, and we’ll just hope that there’s a fast pace that he can close into.
I don’t have any special instructions for Kent [Desormeaux, on Paddy O’Prado] and Robby [Albarado, on First Dude]. I just want them to be conscious of the pace, and I hope that Robby can get First Dude to the outside where he has clear sailing. The rest is up to them.
The track seemed to be favoring the outside paths yesterday, and the rail seems pretty deep. That may change by the time of the race today, and both jocks will be riding a bunch of races, so they’ll figure it out.
Yesterday was a pretty good day. I thought the jockey fight was silly. It was pretty ugly, but it was blown out of proportion.
I liked having the Ladies’ Classic (G1) under the lights. Anything that promotes the game is a good idea, and having the race on at night, almost in prime time, is great. These lights are so bright it’s like the middle of the afternoon, anyway.
Trainer Dale Romans will provide Thoroughbred Times readers with his perspective on this year’s Breeders’ Cup each day through November 7. Teresa Genaro is a Brooklyn-based correspondent of Thoroughbred Times; she blogs at BrooklynBackstretch.com
For previous On the Backstretch stories:
Day 1, click here.
Day 2, click here.
Day 3, click here.
Day 4, click here.
Day 5, click here.
Day 6, click here.
Day 7, click here.
