Not This Time Works at Churchill Downs

Trainer Dale Romans has never been one to lack for confidence when it comes to his ability to hone special equine talents.

When the Eclipse Award-winning conditioner talks about Albaugh Family Stable's homebred Not This Time, however, he happily concedes that his job has rarely been easier.

"This is a push-button horse," Romans said. "This is one of the first ones I've ever had where it takes almost no thought."

The adjectives were flowing fast and furious from Romans regarding the Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) winner after Not This Time turned in a visually-impressive five-furlong work in 1:01 1/5 Oct. 22 at Churchill Downs, his penultimate move in preparation for the Nov. 5 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.

Romans has touted his fair share of runners, including the Albaugh Family's multiple grade I winner Brody's Cause, who recently retired to stud at Spendthrift Farm. After watching Not This Time move effortlessly under exercise rider Faustino Aguillar with Stonestreet Farms' bloodstock agent John Moynihan among those looking on, Romans said the son of Giant's Causeway had "a different air" than any 2-year-old he's had.

"Today's work was just like all the rest, he was a machine out there," Romans said. "The biggest difference with this horse is, first of all, if you get a good Giant's Causeway, they don't lie to you. We were right about Brody. He was a special horse. But this horse has something different about him. I don't know what it is. From the day he walked off the truck, he's never been sick, never been sore, never had a bad day, never missed a breeze. He's the easiest horse in the barn to train."

Not This Time is a half brother to 2015 Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) winner Liam's Map, and has shown similiar brilliance. After breaking his maiden second time out by 10 lengths at Ellis Park Aug. 12, the dark bay colt ran his foes off their feet again the Sept. 17 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill, winning by 8 3/4 lengths despite a less than stellar break.

"He's probably the best-bred horse I've ever had," Romans said of Not This Time. "His brother is standing at Lane's End ... and now he's come along and has done everything we've asked him to do.

"(Jockey) Robby (Albarado) called me driving home from Ellis that day and said 'This horse gave me the chills like two other horses—(champions) Curlin and Mineshaft.' And he's a pretty good judge."

Not This Time is slated to ship to Santa Anita Oct. 23 and will likely have his final work Oct. 29.

"It's an exciting race. This is always one of my favorite races," Romans said.