Rombauer rallies to Preakness glory

May 16, 2021 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Rombauer collared Midnight Bourbon in midstretch and drove
to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $1 million Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico. Last
seen finishing third in the April 3 Blue Grass S. (G2) at Keeneland, the
Michael McCarthy-trained colt joined the Triple Crown mix with a smashing win
in the middle jewel.

Flavien Prat picked up the mount on the John and Diane
Fradkin homebred Twirling Candy colt, and Rombauer left the starting gate as
the 11-1 fifth choice in the 10-horse field.

Medina Spirit, who went wire-to-wire finishing first in the
Kentucky Derby (G1), sped to the fore at the break, showing the way on a short
lead as Midnight Bourbon tracked in second through opening fractions in :23.77,
:46.93, and 1:10.97.

Rombauer rated about five lengths off the pace in sixth
during the opening stages, began to advance on the far turn, and stormed into
the stretch full of run.

Midnight Bourbon overhauled Medina Spirit after
straightening for home, but he was no match for the oncoming Rombauer, who
rolled past with about sixteenth of a mile remaining and drew clear in final
stages.

The winner completed the 1 3/16-mile distance in 1:53.62.

Midnight Bourbon, the 3-1 second choice in the wagering, held
second by two lengths over 2-1 favorite Medina Spirit. It was another four
lengths to 14-1 Keepmeinmind in fourth. Crowded Trade, Unbridled Honor, France
Go de Ina, Risk Taking, Concert Tour, and Ram completed the order of finish.

After winning his career debut on turf last summer, Rombauer
concluded his juvenile campaign with a pair of respectable performances,
recording a runner-up in the American Pharoah S. (G1) and a rallying fifth in
the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He opened his three-year-old season with a neck
score in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in mid-February.

The Kentucky-bred bay has now earned $890,500 from a 7-3-1-1
record.

Rombauer is out of the unraced Cowboy Cal mare Cashmere, a
half-sister to 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint victor and millionaire California
Flag; and multiple Grade 3 scorer Cambiocorsa, who counts Grade 2 winner Moulin
de Mougin among a quartet of stakes-winning offspring.