BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Romans: Shackleford, Dullahan Ready for BC

Trainer Dale Romans Oct. 29 signaled that two of his horses--Shackleford and Dullahan--are ready for their respective races Nov. 5 in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Dullahan, Shackleford Drill for Romans

Dullahan, upset winner of the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity (gr. I), breezed five furlongs in 1:03 3/5 Oct. 22 at Churchill Downs track under Kent Desormeaux. Shackleford also worked in preparation for the BC Dirt Mile (gr. I).

Sassy Image Injured; Out of BC

Multiple grade I winner Sassy Image has been taken out of consideration for the $1 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) after a chip in a hind ankle was discovered.

Maiden Dullahan Shocks Breeders' Futurity

Dullahan came from the rear of the field to nip Majestic City close home and win the $400,000 Dixiana Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 8.

Shackleford Hopes for Rebound in Indy Derby

Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford will seek to get back in the winner's circle Oct. 1 in the $500,000 Indiana Derby (gr. II), his final race before an expected start in the Breeders' Cup.

First Dude to Stand at Double Diamond

Florida-bred grade I winner First Dude will stand the 2012 breeding season at Don Dizney's Double Diamond Farm near Ocala, Fla.

Court Vision Purchased by Spendthrift Farm

Multiple grade I winner Court Vision has been purchased privately by Spendthrift Farm and will be trained by Dale Romans through the remainder of the season before retiring to stud.

Ballerina: Sassy Image Looks for 4th Straight

Already a dual grade I winner this year, Sassy Image can keep it going for brothers Jerry and Dale Romans in the $250,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 27.

Saratoga Sale Memories: Most Are Good

Memories of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale are pleasant ones for many people. Read what buyers and consignors had to say.

Saratoga Sale Finishes With Upswings

A Bernardini colt brings $1.2 million as the select yearling auction's average rises 15.9% and the median grows 4.2%.

Travers, Not Woodward, Next for Shackleford

Preakness (gr. I) winner Shackleford likely will contest the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 27, instead of taking on older horses in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) a week later, trainer Dale Romans said Aug. 7.

Haskell Should Impact 3YO Championship

Both Shackleford and Ruler On Ice will have a big chance to jump to the top of the 3-year-old division July 31 when they headline the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.

Grade I Winner First Dude Retired

First Dude, fresh off a score in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (gr. I) July 9, has been retired from racing.

Sassy Image Snags Princess Rooney at Wire

Favored Sassy Image came from out of the clouds to capture the $350,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. I) to highlight the "Summit of Speed" program at Calder Casino & Race Course July 9, her second grade I win in two months.

Paddy O'Prado to Spendthrift

Grade I winner Paddy O'Prado will stand his first season at stud in 2012 at B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm near Lexington it was announced July 8.

Azalea May Come Up Roses

On paper, Kaleem Shah's May Day Rose looks to be the best of the bunch for Calder's Azalea Stakes (gr. III). The $150,000 event is the first of four graded stakes for the Summit of Speed.

Churchill Trainers React to June 22 Tornado

On June 23 workers began the task of accounting for all the horses under their care and cleaning up damage caused by a tornado the night before at Churchill Downs.

Texas-Bred Shocktime Leads Debutante

Led by undefeated Texas-bred Shocktime, a field of eight 2-year-old fillies was drawn for the $100,000 Debutante (gr. III) June 25 at Churchill Downs. It is the first graded race of the year for juvenile fillies.

WV Derby on the Table for Shackleford

The three Triple Crown race winners are all pointing toward the Haskell Invitational (gr. I), but a hefty bonus in the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) could help lure a top 3-year-old.

C.S. Silk Smooth in Just a Game Upset

C.S. Silk spurted away from her eight rivals to score a 12-1 upset in the $400,000 Foxwoods Just a Game Stakes (gr. IT) on the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) undercard June 11.

Shack on Track to Set Belmont Pace

Trainer Dale Romans calls 'dibs' on the front end for Shackleford in the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), also known as the 'Test of the Champion.'

Romans Says Shackleford a 'Go' for Belmont

After Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Belmont Park June 4, trainer Dale Romans said the Forestry colt will run in the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Derby, Preakness Winners Still Going Strong

Although most Triple Crown trainers admit their concern about having to run three grueling races in five weeks, the trainers of Animal Kingdom and Shackleford actually can't wait for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Shackleford: 'All Indications Are Good'

The connections of Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford said a decision on the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) will be made after the Forestry colt breezes at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 4.

Sassy Image Bags Another Stakes at Churchill

Sassy Image made her win in the grade I Humana Distaff look easy earlier this month at Churchill, but she was pushed to the limit by longshot Beat the Blues May 30 before prevailing by a neck in the Winning Colors (gr. III).

Shackleford Arrives at Belmont Park

Preakness (gr. I) winner Shackleford arrived at Belmont Park just before 10 a.m. May 30 in advance of a possible start in the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) in less than two weeks.

Shackleford Learned About Racing in S.C.

Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford was foaled in Kentucky and his trainer, Dale Romans, is based there, but the colt also has close ties to South Carolina.

Where are All the Stars?

The loss of Paddy O'Prado is a big loss in a year that's already without a superstar.

Read Blog

Romans' Rise - By Eric Mitchell

'This race puts you in the history books. Horse racing is built around these three races.'

Read Blog

Haskin's Preakness Recap: Shack and Awe

Shackleford ends Kingdom's Triple Crown bid

Read Blog

Grade I Winner Paddy O'Prado Retired

Grade I winner Paddy O'Prado, who sustained a sesamoid injury in his May 21 victory in the Dixie Stakes (gr. II), has been retired.

Shackleford 'Better Than 50-50' for Belmont

Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford returned to Churchill Downs in Kentucky May 22, and trainer Dale Romans said there's a "better than 50-50 chance" the colt will race in the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Paddy O'Prado Treated for Foot Bruise

Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) winner Paddy O'Prado will be checked by a veterinarian in Kentucky May 22 after suffering an apparent foot bruise at Pimlico Race Course, trainer Dale Romans said.

2011 Preakness Wrap

Tom LaMarra recaps Shackleford's win in Preakness 136.

Watch Video

Shackleford Tames Animal Kingdom in Preakness

Shackleford holds off a late-charging Animal Kingdom. Astrology finished third.

Shackleford's Triumph Has Castanon Beaming

After Shackleford lost the lead and finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Dale Romans never thought twice about giving Jesus Castanon a second chance to win a Triple Crown race.

Paddy O'Prado Returns With Authority in Dixie

Donegal Racing's Paddy O'Prado put an exclamation mark on his 2011 debut with an impressive come-from-behind victory in the $200,000 Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) at Pimlico Race Course May 21.

High Cotton Sires First Winner

Graded stakes winner High Cotton sired his first winner when his son Tarpy's Goal won at Churchill Downs May 19 for owner Mike Tarp in his initial outing.

Paddy O'Prado Returns in Dixie Stakes

Donegal Racing's Paddy O'Prado, an Eclipse Award finalist from a year ago, returns from a six-month layoff to face seven rivals in the $200,000 Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) May 21 at Pimlico Race Course.

Preakness Interview - Dale Romans

Steve Haskin talks with Dale Romans, trainer of Preakness Contender Shackleford.

Watch Video

Preakness: Will Flashpoint Tackle Shackle?

It is early to start talking pace strategy for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), but with the speedy Shackleford and Flashpoint heading for the second leg of the Triple Crown, you can bet the discussion is going to intensify.

Picture This: Sassy Image Wins Humana Distaff

Jerry Romans' filly, a daughter of Broken Vow, rallies from off the pace to win going away; 4-year-old filly was longest shot on the board at 16-1.

Diva Ash Boosts Resume With Edgewood Score

Diva Ash didn't let a lack of experience stand in the way of victory in the May 6 Edgewood Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby Picks, For What It's Worth

Jason Shandler gives his two cents on the Kentucky Derby.

Read Blog

Shackleford Impresses in Kentucky Derby Work

Shackleford impressed observers at Churchill Downs the morning of April 30 when the son of Forestry sizzled five furlongs in a bullet :58 4/5 in his final preparations for the Kentucky Derby.

Ky. Derby Featured Profile: Shackleford

Florida Derby runner-up Shackleford has another Derby in his sight.

More

Shackleford Works Well; Romans Hopes to Enter

Shackleford on Saturday reinforced trainer Dale Romans' belief that his colt is a strong contender to win the Kentucky Derby when he turned in a strong five-furlong work over a sloppy Churchill track April 23.

Little Mike Runs Big Again to Win Appleton

Speedster Little Mike played the bully once again on the Gulfstream Park turf, tallying in the $100,000 Emirates Airlines Appleton Stakes April 3 for his third grade III win of the meet.

Little Mike Seeks Third Gulfstream Stakes Win

Front-running Little Mike looks for his third graded stakes win of the current Gulfstream Park season when he faces eight rivals in the $100,000 Emirates Airlines Appleton Stakes (gr. IIIT) April 3.

Little Mike Sneaks Away in Canadian Turf

For the second time during the meet, Little Mike went gate to wire to win a graded stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf, turning back a solid field in the $150,000 Canadian turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 27.