When last seen on the track, John and Diane Fradkin’s Rombauer followed his high score in the 2021 Preakness Stakes (G1) with an even third place in the Belmont Stakes (G1) three weeks later.
Having been sidelined for about two years, his current 5-year-old son spinning candy appeared at Gulfstream Parkwhere he crossed three feathers on Sunday morning.
Coach Saffie Joseph Jr. train Rombauer, a thoroughbred formerly trained by Michael McCarthy on the West Coast.
“He was taking time off because of a problem he was having,” Joseph said. “I train horses for [the Fradkins]and they decided to send him to me.”
Joseph trained two half-brothers with Rombauer for Fradkins. Republic ‘s daughter Powerful Quest won three of her six starts last year, including straight wins at Gulfstream to kick-start her career. Alexander Helios 3 year old son of Prince Cairo finished third in the first Gulf Parks special weight class on June 25 after winning 0-4 in Southern California last year.
Joseph was pleased with Rombauer’s first official training session since being sidelined.
“He had a few jobs on the farm and this was his first job on the surface,” says Joseph. “He’s gone well and easily. So far so good.”
Rombauer debuts with a win on the pitch at Del Mar before finishing second on the dirt track at American Pharoah (G1), the two started later at Santa Anita . Park. After finishing his underage campaign with fifth place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keenelandhe kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a win in the El Camino Real Derby, the “Win & You’re In” Preakness qualifier, at Golden Gate Fields. He continued on the following Tuesday essential quality in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland before skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1) and heading straight for the Preakness at Racecourse Pimlico. Rombauer underestimated the initial pace before regrouping at length to win by 3 1/2 lengths under Flavien Prat. He raced evenly to finish third behind Essential Quality in Belmont before being sidelined.
“He’s a proven horse. He’s a Preakness winner. He’s a classic winner. Michael McCarthy has done a great job with him,” Joseph said. “Hopefully he stays happy, healthy and back to what made him who he is.”
Joseph said Rombauer could return to racing in August, under ideal circumstances.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
