Romans in Familiar Territory With Everfast for Haskell

Dale Romans knows the July 20 TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) represents a significant challenge for Calumet Farm's Everfast. But it's not as if the trainer hasn't been in this position before for Monmouth Park's signature race.

In the 2015 Haskell, Romans sent out Keen Ice  against Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  and saw his horse run a solid second, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths.

So even though Everfast has struggled to find the winner's circle since breaking his maiden 11 starts ago, Romans is sending the Preakness Stakes (G1) runner-up into the Haskell feeling he has a late runner with a chance in a race that appears to be brimming with speed.

Maximum Security, King for a Day, Joevia, Mucho Gusto, Chilly in Charge, Spun to Run, and Everfast are the probable starters for the $1 million feature. The list of possible starters includes Harvey Wallbanger, Laughing Fox, Math Wizard, Tax, and Lexitonian.

"I'm not frustrated by what he has done," Romans said of Everfast, who was also second in the Fasig-Tipton Holy Bull Stakes (G2) and beaten just 3 1/4 lengths in seventh in the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1). "To me he's the little engine that could. He tries hard. It took him a while to get going and to show his talent but that's starting to happen.

"Finishing second in the Preakness was big and it was also big to only get beat 3 1/4 lengths in the Belmont Stakes. That was a good race he ran."

Everfast, a son of Take Charge Indy—Awesome Surprise, by Awesome Again , has posted his two best Beyer Speed Figures (92 and 96, respectively) in the Belmont and Preakness, his last two starts. He staged a rousing late run to close from 11th in his second-place Preakness finish, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by War of Will.

"You can tell he's improving," Romans said. "The Preakness was by far his best race. His coming out party was the Holy Bull and then he let people know he was still around in the Preakness. His Belmont wasn't a bad race, either."

Calumet Farm purchased Everfast for $47,000 from the Frankfort Park Farm consignment to the 2017 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. He has banked $499,805 despite being just 1-for-12 lifetime.

The Haskell was a chance Romans did not want to pass up with his colt.

"The Haskell is one of my favorite races of the year," he said. "Any time I have a chance to compete there we're going to take it. (Calumet Farm owner) Mr. (Brad) Kelley loves the Haskell as well, so he said, 'Let's take a chance.'"

Romans also finished second in the 2011 Haskell with 3-2 favorite Shackleford , who was beaten a neck when Coil closed from eighth and last to get up at the wire. He is hoping for a similar scenario where a late runner—his horse—is the one flying at the end.

"We'll try to do what Coil did: sit back and then come running late, nail the leader at the wire. That would be great," Romans said. "I like the way the race shapes up for us. It looks like it's a nice fit for a closer."