Romans Forced to Alter Plans with Derby Hopeful Cherry Wine

Cherry Wine was an impressive winner at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 9. (Photo by Leslie Martin/Gulfstream Park)
by Tom Pedulla, America's Best Racing
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Dale Romans intended to use the Fountain of Youth Stakes to establish Cherry Wine as a top Kentucky Derby contender. Those plans were dashed when Romans said Wednesday that the promising colt would not race on Saturday at Gulfstream Park due to a slight fever and cough.
“We don’t want to risk this horse. We hold him in high regard,” Romans said Wednesday morning during an interview at Gulfstream Park. “I think he’s a true Derby horse. There are other preps we can hit.”
According to Romans, the gray or roan son of Paddy O’Prado first showed symptoms that something was amiss on Tuesday. Although the horse’s fever returned to normal by Wednesday morning, the decision was made to err on the side of caution and veterinarians began a course of antibiotics.
“Everybody agrees it’s not a big deal,” he said. “It’s just bad timing.”
Cherry Wine, owned by Frank L. Jones Jr. and William Pacella, began to show potential late in his 2-year-old campaign when he gained his first victory in romping by 9 ¼ lengths last Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs. He made an impressive 3-year-old debut with a 6-length rout of Battery in an optional claiming allowance race on Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park.
Romans said he would still like to give Cherry Wine two prep races in an effort to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, according to the points system established by Churchill Downs. He said the Florida Derby on April 2 remains under consideration.
“I probably won’t even think about it until I know he’s 100 percent,” Romans said of revising his plans. “I don’t want to have a target and then I might not get there.”
Romans expressed confidence that he still has enough time for Cherry Wine to gain the points and seasoning he needs to reach the Kentucky Derby.
“It’s a short way to the Fountain of Youth,” he said. “It’s a long way to the Kentucky Derby.”
If Cherry Wine had competed in the Fountain of Youth, the prep race at Gulfstream Park that precedes the Florida Derby, Romans was not planning to attend.
He committed long ago to appearing at Meredith-Dunn School in Louisville, which assists youngsters with learning challenges. Romans overcame severe dyslexia in emerging as a prominent trainer.
CHERRY WINE'S JAN. 9 WIN AT GULFSTREAM

Courtesy of Gulfstream Park