Dullahan Drills Sharply for Pacific Classic

Dullahan went five furlongs at Churchill Downs in :59 flat the morning of Aug. 11, best of 12 workouts at the distance, in preparation for his title defense in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 25.

Jerry Crawford, head of Donegal Racing ownership group, said that Dullahan, a 4-year-old son of Even the Score , would have one more work next Sunday at the Louisville oval and then ship to Del Mar on either Aug. 20 or 21.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Dullahan was a half-length winner over Game On Dude and Chantal Sutherland in the 2012 Classic.

Rosario will ride Game On Dude, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) and Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) this year, for trainer Bob Baffert in the Classic. Rafael Bejarano, leading rider at the Del Mar meeting, has the mount on Dullahan for trainer Dale Romans.

"Tell the 'Dude it's game on," Crawford said.