Dullahan disappointed Dale Romans in the Belmont Stakes
Trainer Dale Romans said that he is eagerly awaiting next year’s Triple Crown series, after being gutted with his 3-year-old Dullahan’s non-threatening seventh place finish in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on 9 June, 2012.
“I can’t wait until next year,” said Romans. “Hopefully, we’ll have another one. Emotionally, the highs, the lows, the battles, but I want to do it every year.”
The Donegal Racing’s colt, Dullahan was declared the 5 to 2 favourite in the absence of the original favourite, I’ll Have Another, but Romans admit that he got it wrong with him that he will run a huge race, especially with so many long shot running the
race.
“I’m usually not that wrong with them,” said Romans. “I’m wrong about a lot of things, but usually with the horses I’m not. You can know your horse is doing good, but there are so many other factors that play into a race, and if the other horses are doing
well it’s tough.”
The son of Even the Score, out of mare Mining My Own by Smart Strike, Dullahan, ran a powerful racing approaching the Kentucky Derby, when he downed the Grade 1, $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, where he defeated the 2-year-old champion, Hansen
in second and Gung Ho in third, while covering the 1 1/8 mile distance in 1 minute and 47.94 seconds over the Keeneland’s poly track.
The Kentucky Derby was a strong end to a losing race for Dullahan, who went nine wide at the club house turn entering the stretch, but despite losing so much ground, he came roaring back to finish a couple of lengths in third to winner, I’ll Have Another.
The Belmont Stakes, however, was a disappointing race, with him breaking swiftly and settling nicely behind Union Rags in sixth, but something happened that made him drop way back in the field.
It was almost impossible for Dullahan - who was coupled with jockey Javier Castellano for the first time – to reel in the leaders from behind, especially when Paynter was sizzling hot with Union Rags at his tail.
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