Horse Racing

‘Total Package’: Juvenile Dennis’ Moment Scores 19 1/4-Length Win At Ellis


“He’s the total package,” said trainer Dale Romans, who came in from Saratoga for the race. “He’s been very smart. I mean, he was an expensive yearling. So he has the pedigree, the looks. His intelligence is off the charts and just pure natural talent.”

Call it a Moment to remember in Saturday’s seventh race at Ellis Park.

Albaugh Family Stables’ 2-year-old Dennis’ Moment romped to a 19 1/4-length victory in a maiden race populated with well-intended youngsters. The son of the WinStar stallion Tiznow powered the seven furlongs in 1:21.95, only three-fifths of a second of the 3-year-old Josh’s Madelyn’s 1:21.37 dating to 2004.

“He just galloped today,” said jockey Miguel Mena. “I think he’s the real deal.”

“He’s the total package,” said trainer Dale Romans, who came in from Saratoga for the race. “He’s been very smart. I mean, he was an expensive yearling. So he has the pedigree, the looks. His intelligence is off the charts and just pure natural talent.”

Dennis’ Moment, based at Romans’ Churchill Downs division, broke on top from post 11 in a capacity field of 12. The promising Cairo King, running as a Cheyenne Stables-owned entry with the highly regarded first-time starter Elite Classic, kept within a couple of lengths of Dennis’ Moment for a half-mile but could not keep up, having to settle for finishing 2 3/4 lengths in front of Sounion, who had been working impressively at Keeneland.

Dennis’ Moment led by eight in mid-stretch, doubling that margin in the last eighth-mile, which he covered in 12.17 under a hand-ride after going fractions of 22.92 seconds for the first quarter-mile, 45.84 for the half and 1:09.81 for six furlongs. He paid $3.80 to win as the odds-on favorite.

“He was cruising, going so easy on the backside,” Mena said. “I didn’t look back, but I thought I was having a nice comfortable lead. He doesn’t feel like he’s going that fast. I hand-rode him a little bit in the stretch, asked him a little bit. Then I knew I was a for-sure winner. Past the wire, I looked back and I was like, ‘Man, they’re too far back.’ This was so impressive; it was unbelievable.

“They had some nice, good-looking 2-year-olds in here, with good breeding, good works and everything. Dale was high on this horse. He called us up to ride him, and we’re just thankful for the opportunity. Really impressed.”

For all intents and purposes, it was Dennis’ Moment’s first race. He started in a race June 23 at Churchill Downs but was forced in tight early in the race, clipping heels and unseating jockey Robby Albarado. Dennis’ Moment was OK, but Albarado suffered a fractured wrist.

“I really feel bad for him; he would have won easy here,” Romans said of Albarado. “If he was still riding, he’d have been on him today. But he’ll get him back…. This was pretty impressive. A couple of ticks off the track record in just the second start of your life as a 2-year-old. I don’t know how far it was, but it was a long ways. I think this was a very tough race. People will see there’s more than one stakes horse to come out of this group.”

This first thing Romans said as he came into the winner’s circle? “Ellis Park is the best place to break a 2-year-olds maiden.”

That sentiment was echoed by Jason Loutsch, co-owner and racing manager of Albaugh Family Stables.

“We like to start them at Ellis Park and try to break their maiden,” Loutsch said by phone. “He’s shown us in the mornings that he’s a very talented colt. Unfortunately the first time he didn’t get to show his true ability with what happened. It was very disappointing that day, but we took our time with him. We thought this seven-eighths race at Ellis Park would fit him perfect. He’s a horse, I think as he goes long he’s just going to get better. I think that showed today. He broke really well and cruised around there like a seasoned pro.”

Dennis’ Moment is named for Albaugh patriarch Dennis Albaugh, the prominent businessman and philanthropist from Des Moines, Iowa.

Loutsch said Saratoga’s Grade 1 Hopeful at seven furlongs on Sept. 2 or Churchill Downs’ Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at 1 1/6 miles on Sept. 14 are logical possibilities for Dennis’ Moment’s next start.





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