Romans Considers Crown Royal Turf as Backup Plan for Halo Najib

Trainer Dale Romans will point Halo Najib to Friday's Crown Royal American Turf (GIII) if the horse is unable to make it into the Kentucky Derby.

The colt sits at number 21 on the Graded Stakes Earnings list and needs a defection prior to 10 a.m. on Wednesday to make it into the Derby.

Since it looks like the Derby isn't likely for Romans's horse, he drilled him five furlongs over the Churchill turf course this morning under Kent Desormeaux. The colt breezed in a leisurely 105 flat over the firm course, the slowest of seven turf workers this morning.

Romans, who doesn't know my name and instead refers to me as "blogger" when I speak with him, said he wanted to get Desormeaux used to the horse.

"I just wanted to let him run down the lane and let Kent see if he's got a quick turn of foot on him," he said. "I love it when I see my horses come back after a work and it doesn't look like they even did anything."