Trainer Dale Romans had Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford on the track at Gulfstream Park for his first breeze of the season Jan. 7, as well as Donegal Racing’s Triple Crown prospects Dullahan and O'Prado Again.
Shackleford was timed an easy half-mile in :50 4/5 in his first recorded workout since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. I) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. The son of Forestry finished second by a head behind Dialed In in the Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream last year.
“They all went well. We got just what we wanted for their first breezes,” said Romans. “We hope to get Shackleford to the Donn Handicap (gr. II, Feb. 11). There is no specific target for the two 3-year-olds, but we’re where we want to be with them at this point.”
Kent Desormeaux was aboard both Dullahan and O’Prado Again as they were clocked a half-mile in :51 flat and :51 1/5, respectively. Dullahan finished fourth last out behind Hansen and Union Rags in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Churchill. The chestnut son of Even the Score earned his chance in that race winning the Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland in his previous start.
O’Prado Again came around a little later in the season to win the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct on Nov. 26. The roan/gray son of El Prado broke his maiden in an off-the-turf test going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 28 when making the fourth start of his career.
Hansen Works Five Furlongs
Another notable breeze on the busy Saturday morning work tab at Gulfstream was turned in by Kendall Hansen and Sky Chai Racing’s undefeated 3-year-old Hansen. He clocked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 for trainer Mike Maker in his third recorded workout since arriving for the season.A roan/gray colt by Tapit , Hansen won a hard-fought head victory over favorite Union Rags last out in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and is a finalist for champion 2-year-old male honors.
