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 in preparation for the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) or the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr. IIT).
“He went really well today, but we still don’t know yet,” trainer Dale Romans said in reference to Dullahan's options. “We’ll know after his work next weekend.”
Donegal Racing’s Dullahan, a half-brother to Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird, recorded fractions of :13 1/5, :26 1/5, :39, and :51 1/5.
“The track was slow and he put in a workman-like five-eighths,” Desormeaux said. “He was very responsive and energetic. He’s a serious horse and he made a move for me in the Dixiana that I haven’t had a horse do for me in 10 years.”
Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford , another Breeders’ Cup hopeful in the Romans barn, breezed five furlongs in 1:03 4/5.
“He looked good and he’s going to the Dirt Mile (gr. I),” Romans said.
Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge’s Shackleford, who was second in the Indiana Derby (gr. II) to Wilburn after a disappointing performance in the Travers (gr. I), recorded fractions of :13 3/5, :26 1/5, :38 3/5, :51 2/5, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:17 1/5.