Trainer Dale Romans lost one promising 2-year-old when GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Not This Time (Giant's Causeway) was retired due to injury, but he is hopeful he has another exciting up-and-comer in the barn in J Boys Echo (Mineshaft). Owned by Albaugh Family Stables, J Boys Echo graduated by five lengths when stretching out to 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland Oct. 27. He closed late to be fourth behind Gunnevera (Dialed In) in the Nov. 19 GIII Delta Downs Jackpot S. last time out.
“He had a horrendous trip and came flying at the end,” Romans said of the Jackpot. “It looked like, to me, he might have been second-best, but the winner ran a monster race. He galloped out strong. He wants to go on forever. He's a big, ol' Mineshaft and Mineshaft went forever, so we figure he will, too.”
J Boys Echo, a $485,000 Keeneland September yearling, is out of graded stakes winner Letgomyecho (Menifee) and is a half-brother to graded stakes placed Unbridled Outlaw (Unbridled's Song).
Romans is keeping his options on the bay colt open
“I don't know what's next,” Romans said. “I watched him train today and got excited, so I have to start thinking about it. I think he ran a sneaky good race in the Jackpot. We'll try to get him on the Derby trail.”
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