Dullahan recoups for Breeders' Cup

By: JOE GIRARDI

Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Dullahan's disappointing fifth-place finish in last week's Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park proved to trainer Dale Romans that the 3-year-old only runs well on firm turf courses and not the 'good' course that showed up for the 1 1/8-mile stakes.

"He has proven to be quite finicky in that regard," said Romans of the Pacific Classic winner. "If he doesn't get firm ground, whether it's synthetic, dirt or grass, he just doesn't run."

Dullahan, owned by Donegal Racing, was the 17-10 favorite in the seven-horse Jamaica. Ridden by Joel Rosario, the colt was in sixth-place most of the race and showed nothing down the stretch.

With wins not only in the Pacific Classic but also in the Blue Grass Stakes and Breeders Futurity, Dullahan's three career victories have all come on synthetic surfaces.

On natural dirt tracks his best finish was a third in the Kentucky Derby, but he has also shown ability on turf.

Romans and Donegal's Jerry Crawford will decide the colt's Breeders' Cup start after Dullahan's return to Kentucky on the way out west.

"We'll take him to California and Jerry Crawford and I will figure out what to do. The track is key thing. We'll leave everything open," noted Romans.

In 13 career starts Dullahan has earnings of $1,714,091.