Romeo, a Millionaire Chasing Glory in the Hopeful Stakes
- Turf Diario
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
The colt, who was purchased for $1.7 million by Mahmud Mouni after posting a record-breaking victory in the Bashford Manor, now targets his first G1
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Romeo, the bay colt now under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, will be one of the main attractions in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) on Monday, the closing day of the Saratoga meet. The 7-furlong race carries a purse of $300,000.
The Honor A.P. colt arrives off a dazzling win in the Bashford Manor Stakes (L) at Churchill Downs on June 29, where he scored by 3 3/4 lengths in a stakes-record 1:08.61, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 85—the highest of the race. Following that performance, he was purchased by Mahmud Mouni for $1.7 million at the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale and transferred to Asmussen’s barn with the Hopeful as the primary target.
“He comes off a record-setting win and has trained excellently since arriving,” said Asmussen, who is aiming for his fourth Hopeful victory, following back-to-back wins with Basin (Liam’s Map), Jackie’s Warrior (Maclean’s Music), and Gunite (Gun Runner) from 2019 to 2021.
Romeo, who will break from post 3 with Joel Rosario, had been third in the Tremont Stakes (L) in June at Saratoga behind the unbeaten Mythical (St Patrick’s Day), now a leading contender for the Spinaway Stakes (G1). On debut at Laurel Park on May 3, he rolled by 10 1/4 lengths over 5 furlongs. Out of Fancy Love (Not For Love), his second dam, Fleet and Fancy (Touch Gold), is a half-sister to champion Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) and part of the family of multiple G1 winner Frosted (Tapit).
Asmussen also enters Soldier N Diplomat (Irad Ortiz Jr., post 6), a son of Army Mule purchased for $950,000 at the OBS March Sale. He drew clear late to win his debut on July 26 and now takes a step up in class.
Todd Pletcher brings a powerful pair in Ted Noffey (John Velázquez, post 8) and Emphasis (Ricardo Santana Jr., post 7), both debut winners.
Ted Noffey, by Into Mischief and purchased for $650,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, won his debut convincingly on August 2 at Saratoga over 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.56, earning a Beyer of 85. “I liked everything he did. He’s a serious colt, has trained very well since, and we’ve aimed at the Hopeful from the start,” said Pletcher, who previously won the race with Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch, 2006), Shanghai Bobby (Harlan’s Holiday, 2012), Competitive Edge (Super Saver, 2014), and Forte (Violence, 2022).
Emphasis (Yaupon), also a Keeneland purchase for $625,000, wired his debut, covering 6 furlongs in 1:11.83. He is a half-brother to stakes winner Curly Jack (Good Magic) and carries pure speed in his pedigree.
Another notable contender is Curtain Call (Tiz the Law, Mark Casse, José Ortiz, post 1), who was second in his Churchill Downs debut before breaking out with an 8 1/2-length win on July 12 at Saratoga over a muddy track, earning a Beyer of 82. “We always thought he could be very good, and now he’s showing it,” said Casse.
From the West Coast comes Buetane (Bob Baffert, Flavien Prat, post 5), debut winner at Del Mar on August 3 with a Beyer of 83. A son of Tiz the Law, he was purchased for $1.15 million at the OBS Spring Sale and races for Zedan Racing Stables, the same silks as Medina Spirit (Protonico) and Arabian Knight (Justify).
