Dullahan all ready for Pacific Classic

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Dullahan, third in this year's Kentucky Derby, had one last workout over the weekend before heading to Del Mar for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday, Aug. 26. Trainer Dale Romans had the three-year-old work Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Owned by Donegal Racing, Dullahan traveled five furlongs in 1:00.20 with regular exercise rider Faustino Aguilar in the saddle. The Blue Grass Stakes champ will be going to Del Mar "as soon as we can get a plane organized," said Jerry Crawford, head of Donegal Racing.

Dullahan has not had good starts in his two most recent races. Following his third-place finish in the Run for the Roses he was seventh as the 5-2 favorite in the Belmont Stakes and was fifth in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Romans feels the colt will run his best on a synthetic track as opposed to dirt. The Blue Grass win was over Keeneland's artificial surface.

"He obviously likes the Polytrack, and this (Pacific Classic) was our best opportunity to get him back on it in a big race," Romans said.

Coming in from New York to ride Dullahan in the Pacific Classic will be Joel Rosario who won Del Mar jockey titles from 2009-2011.

Dullahan will be facing the best older horses based in California in the 1 1/4 mile Pacific Classic. Last year's winner Acclamation is scheduled to start along with two-time Classic champ Richard's Kid, NTRA Poll leader Game on Dude and San Diego Handicap winner Rail Trip.