Romans Sets Schedule for Dullahan

1/11/2012 4:03 PM | horseracingnation.com

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Although strongly disappointed by the injury that has forced O’Prado Again out of training, trainer Dale Romans and Donegal Racing’s Jerry Crawford are still looking forward to participating in the spring classics.

Dullahan, who finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last time out, is being pointed to the Kentucky Derby with a two-prep schedule. Romans has slated the Palm Beach (G3), a 1 1/8-mile turf stakes on March 11, for the son of Even The Score’s 2012 debut. The Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland is scheduled as Dullahan’s final Derby prep. The Roman had set the same schedule for Paddy O’Prado, who won the Palm Beach and finished second in the Blue Grass before coming in third in the 2010 Kentucky Derby.

“We know he likes the grass. (The Palm Beach) is a mile-and-an-eighth race, and I want him to go at least a mile-and-an-eighth,” said Romans, whose colt captured the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland prior to his solid Juvenile effort. “And he ran well at Keeneland, so the timing’s right for both races. I wanted to run him twice before the Derby.”

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Romans reported that O’Prado Again, who captured the Remsen (G2) at Aqueduct in his 2011 finale, suffered a fracture in his right front leg and will be sent to Peterson & Smith Equine Clinic in Ocala, where a screw will be inserted to repair the fracture.

“He’s not bad. He’ll be back,” he said.

Meanwhile, Romans has other promising 3-year-olds, including Cozzetti and Kings Kid.

Cozzetti, who is slated to run in the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy on Jan. 21, broke his maiden impressively at Churchill Downs in his third lifetime start before finishing eighth in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park last month.

“I thought he would win out there, but he didn’t. I don’t know if he chased that pace a little too close or what,” Romans said. “But he’s training good here now.”

King Kid recently finished third in the Gulfstream Park Derby on Jan. 1 after debuting with a sharp victory at Churchill Downs in late November. Romans’ high regard for the son of Lemon Drop Kid was not diminished by his effort in the Gulfstream Derby.

“It was second start. It’s a tough thing to do for your second start in your life.”

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