Chelsea Durand Photo

Favored Promises Fulfilled does so with front-running win in G1 Allen Jerkens

by Anthony Affrunti

Bob Baron's Promises Fulfilled led eight others from gate to wire to win the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy for 3-year-old sprinters by 1 1/4 lengths over stablemate Seven Trumpets Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

The colt's first Grade 1 victory was his second win at the meet, having won the Grade 3 Amsterdam July 28. The Dale Romans-trained son of Shackleford now owns five victories from nine career starts.

"That was very special," Romans said. "Of course, most people in the game know that Allen [Jerkens] and I were very close. He was a good friend and mentor in life. Everybody knows what a great horse trainer he was, and he was a better person. It's an honor to win this race and I think to get up for second we might have had a little divine intervention."

Jockey Luis Saez sent Promises Fulfilled straight to the front, where he was prompted by Gidu through an opening quarter-mile in 22.66 seconds, with the half going in 44.34. Turning for home, with Engage beginning to rally to his inside, Saez went to work on Promises Fulfilled as Firenze Fire launched his bid from midpack and Seven Trumpets cut the corner on the rail under jockey Robby Albarado.

Holding on to his lead through three-quarters in 1:08.44, Promises Fulfilled would not be denied. Seven Trumpets outgamed Firenze Fire by a half-length for place, with Engage a neck back in fourth. The final time was 1:21.44.

"When they put the second quarter up, I wasn't worried," Romans said. "I thought that was slow for him. He's been going 43 [seconds] the last two races. He's special. It's just going to be who has the most stamina and we know the kind of stamina he has to win.

"I'm very proud of Seven Trumpets," he added. "At 35-1, I can't believe he was that big a price. Two good horses and a lot to look forward to down the road."

Saez, aboard Promises Fulfilled for the third time, said he got what he needed from his colt at every stage of the race.

"It was pretty nice," Saez said. "I was the speed in the race and my plan was to break and run him from there. He looked like he was very comfortable when he came to the stretch, he stretched the lead and took off."

Promises Fulfilled began his sophomore season with a gate-to-wire victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on March 3 at Gulfstream Park before finishing last of nine in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 31. After a tiring trip to finish 15th in the Kentucky Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs, the colt was shipped north to Belmont Park, where he finished third in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens.

Voorheesville, New York native Bob Baron, a close friend of Dale Romans is enjoying the success his colt has brought him.

"It's a great day. I'm glad for the horse," Baron said. "After the Woody Stephens, Dale says, 'We're going to run in the Amsterdam and this race.' You never think about where you're going to finish, only that you're going to run. It worked out great."

Completing the order of finish were Still Having Fun, Telekinesis, Gidu, Givemeaminit and Funny Duck.

Sent off as the betting choice at 6-5, Promises Fulfilled returned $4.50 for a $2 wager.