Robert Baron's Promises Fulfilled (Shackleford) emerged from his front-running victory in Saturday's GII Fountain of Youth S. In fine condition Sunday morning and will be pointed to the GI Xpressbet.com Florida Derby Mar. 31, according to trainer Dale Romans.
“He came out of the race very well,” Romans said. “He's in good shape.”
Promises Fulfilled is a son of Shackleford, who Romans campaigned to a victory in the 2011 GI Preakness S. as part of a career that saw him amass over $3 million in earnings. Shackleford finished fifth in his stakes debut in the Fountain of Youth earlier that year.
“It's always special when we win with horses by horses we trained,” said Romans. “They have the same speed and stamina. They don't act alike, but they do have the same style.”
Promises Fulfilled will likely be joined in the Florida Derby starting gate by Fountain of Youth runner-up Strike Power (Speightstown), who stayed on well in his two-turn debut Saturday for Courtlandt Farms and trainer Mark Hennig.
“He's good,” Hennig said Sunday. “He ate every oat, cooled out nice, looked bright this morning–all the signs you want to see. We just keep throwing something new at him every time. He's gone from being a 5 1/2-furlong pure sprinter to going two turns. I think it was a pretty good effort for him.”
Champion Good Magic (Curlin), third as the heavy favorite in the Fountain of Youth, is likely to depart South Florida for his next start, which could come in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 7.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
