Dullahan,
a half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby presented by YUM! Brands (G1)
winner Mine That Bird, broke his maiden in emphatic fashion by sweeping
past second-choice Majestic City in deep stretch to win the 1 1/16-mile
test by three-quarters of a length in 1:43.12.
The
victory earned Dullahan a spot in the starting gate for the Grey Goose
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to be run November 5 at Churchill Downs.
Purchased
for $250,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Dullahan is
trained by Dale Romans and ridden by Kent Desormeaux. The victory in
the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity was the second for Romans, who also won
the race in 2005 with Dawn of War.
Musical
Flair led the field of 13 through early fractions in :22.67 and :46.15
with Majestic City in closest pursuit and Dullahan in mid-pack. Majestic
City took command leaving the backstretch and opened a daylight lead
entering the stretch.
At
that juncture, Desormeaux had moved Dullahan into fourth place with a
three-wide move and clear sailing at the leader that he passed in the
final 50 yards.
A
Kentucky-bred son of Even the Score out of the Smart Strike mare Mining
My Own, Dullahan earned $240,000 for the victory and increased his
bankroll to $272,091.
Winless
in his first four starts, Dullahan returned $37.60, $14 and $9.60.
Majestic City, ridden by Garrett Gomez, returned $4.80 and $4 with
Optimizer, ridden by Robby Albarado, finishing a length back in third
and paying $8.20 to show.
Completing
the field in order were Take Charge Indy, Our Entourage, favored Shared
Property, Gung Ho, Motor City, Personal Interest, Space Race, Musical
Flair, Ancil and E Valentino.
Read More