After raising the expectations of trainer Dale Romans in his
three-start fall campaign, Dewey Square will have the opportunity to
prove himself Saturday in the $400,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream
Park.
The 1 1/16-mile stakes for Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby
(G1) hopefuls has attracted a 10-horse field exceptionally deep in
achievement and potential, led by undefeated Shanghai Bobby, the 2012
Eclipse Award-winning juvenile, and supported by multiple-stakes winners
Bern Identity and Itsmyluckyday.
“I don’t remember all the Holy Bulls, but it’s a tough race,” Romans
said. “But it’s time to get him started and see where he fits with the
best.”
After breaking his maiden at Hoosier Park by nearly 12 lengths in
September and capturing an entry-level allowance at Churchill Downs by
four lengths a month later, Dewey Square stepped up to Grade 2 company
to finish third in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill on Nov. 24
after racing wide.
“He ran a good race. He’s still a little bit green,” Romans said. “I
think he’s better now than he was then. He’s gotten a little more
confidence, and he’s doing good.”
The son of Bernardini has trained well at Gulfstream Park and
prepared for his start in the Holy Bull with a ‘bullet’ five-furlong
workout in :59 1/5 last Saturday.
“I think he’s developed mentally more than anything,” said Romans of
Dewey Square’s development since his last start. "He seems to have more
confidence out there than he did back then.”
Corey Lanerie, who has the return mount aboard Dewey Square, will have options depending on how the Holy Bull unfolds.
“I think you can do anything you want him to do,” said Romans, who
was honored with the Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer in 2012.
Tulira Castle On Track for Holy Bull
Trainer James DiVito pronounced Tulira Castle ready for a start in
Saturday’s $400,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream, where he will meet
undefeated Shanghai Bobby in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-olds.
“I think he’s coming around at the right time. He’s bigger and he’s
more mature. We haven’t over-raced him and I think his development is
good right now,” he said.
Tulira Castle is coming off an impressive 2 ¾ -length victory under
Javier Castellano in a one-turn, entry-level allowance race at
Gulfstream Park on Dec. 8. Previously, the son of War Pass raced on
Polytrack at Arlington Park and Keeneland, producing a pair of seconds
and a maiden score.
DiVito understands that Tulira Castle faces a huge task in the Holy
Bull, but he has confidence that his Kentucky-bred colt won’t back down
from the challenge.
“He’s a very, very aggressive horse. When he’s in company or in a
race, he’s a horse that thrives on competition,” DiVito said. “It’s all
about heart, just like with any athlete.”
Tulira Castle will make his first start around two turns in the Holy Bull.
“He seems to handle his works good and he handles the turns good,”
DiVito said. “Castellano seems to think he’ll handle two turns good. His
breeding said he should.”