Trainer Anthony Dutrow admits he isn’t sure if his
soon-to-be-3-year-old Ancient Rome will be able to stretch out around
two turns, but by the time the field for Sunday’s inaugural running of
the Gulfstream Park Derby hits the wire he should have a pretty good
idea.
“I honestly don’t know what to expect,” Dutrow said. “Ancient Rome
certainly has the talent, and if he can get the distance, he’s going to
be a useful 3-year-old this year. It’s all about experimenting here.”
Dutrow says the year’s first Derby – run at 1 1/16 miles – will help
him decide on a path for the remainder of 2012 with his son of Roman
Ruler.
“There are so many opportunities for 3-year-olds throughout the year,”
he said. “That’s why we’re stretching him out sooner rather than
later. If it doesn’t work out, we’re not going to argue. We’ll just
campaign him as a sprinter.”
Michael Dubb’s Anicent Rome is exiting a win at Gulfstream Park in the
six-furlong Spectacular Bid. The Roman Ruler colt battled for the lead
throughout and fought back gamely in the stretch when passed by eventual
runner-up For Oby.
“He’s always shown that toughness,” Dutrow said. “That’s one thing we
know for sure about him. I would anticipate coming out of those sprint
races he would be out on the lead or at least with the pacemakers.”
While Dutrow reiterates that Ancient Rome’s start in the Gulfstream
Park Derby is an experiment, the conditioner is looking to his horse’s
pedigree for hints on the result.
“He’s by Roman Ruler so we’re looking at that when thinking about the
stretch out,” Dutrow said. “His daddy has produced a Belmont winner
(Ruler on Ice) so we’ll just have to wait and see.”