SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Multiple Grade 1-winner Jack Christopher isn’t the only horse in the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial to cut back in distance from the Grade 1 Haskell. Albaugh Family Stables’ Howling Time will see one turn for the first time in 11 months when pursuing his first Grade 1 win in the seven-furlong test at Saratoga Race Course for trainer Dale Romans.
The aptly-named dark bay son of Not This Time, out of the Arch mare Werewolf, was fourth in the Haskell on July 23 at Monmouth Park – a race where returning rival Jack Christopher finished third as the favorite.
Howling Time was a debut winner going six furlongs at Churchill Downs in September before capturing the two-turn Street Sense going 1 1/16 miles at the Louisville oval. Off the board in his next three graded stakes efforts, respectively won by Kentucky Derby contestants Smile Happy, Simplification and Tawny Port, Howling Time returned to the winner’s circle at allowance optional claiming level on May 21 over a sloppy and sealed main track at Churchill Downs.
“He’s earned this. He’s run well and I think that cutting back will help him,” said
Romans, who won the 2018 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial with Promises Fulfilled. “We’re going to try it and see because he’s sitting over the top of being a really good horse. It’s a tough race.”
Romans also conditioned Howling Time’s sire Not This Time, who currently leads all North American third-crop sires this year.
“Not This Time was a little bit of a different horse. He was a special, special horse and he’s become a special sire,” Romans said. “Other than the color there aren’t too many similarities, but they’re both talented. Not This Time was a career horse. He had the mind, he had the body, he had it all.”
Through his eight lifetime starts, Howling Time has shown a variety of different tactics, but Romans is hopeful that he can stalk a fast pace.
“Hopefully they go 44 and he’s stalking right off of him,” Romans said. “He’s a good sound horse and he does a lot of things right. He’s going to get better and better.”
Romans was all smiles when reminded that his Saratoga barn is playing host to two Travers contenders, both sired by former trainees of his. Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is a son of 2015 Travers winner Keen Ice, who provided Romans with his first Travers victory. The Kelly Von Hemel-trained Ain’t Life Grand, by Not This Time, also is stabled with Romans.
“There’s a lot more similarities between Not This Time and Ain’t Life Grand,” Romans said. “I think he looks as much like him as any horse that I’ve seen. He’s trained like him up here. He’s 20-1 but he’s a very live longshot. Kelly’s done a great job with him.”
NYRA Press Office
Photo: Howling Time (Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO)
