Roman Ruler, winning the Norfolk last year, may return in the Dwyer Stakes.
Fog City Stable's Roman Ruler, whom trainer Bob Baffert had been pointing for the Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup on July 2, worked six furlongs in a brilliant 1:10 1/5 Monday, and may now switch plans and run in the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) July 4."I'm not crazy about running him at six furlongs," Baffert said. " Right now, I'm leaning toward the Dwyer. I heard Greeley's Galaxy is going there, too. That work today put a lot of air into him, and working that fast with bar shoes was pretty impressive. I have several options if he runs well there. I can always cut back in distance after that."Roman Ruler has been plagued with quarter crack problems all year, and was forced off the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail in order to allow the crack to heal and the foot to grow back. If Baffert does decide to cut back in distance after the Dwyer, he could point for the seven-furlong King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 27.In addition to Roman Ruler and Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner Greeley's Galaxy, who has been working impressively since the Preakness (gr. I), the Dwyer could also attract Peter Pan (gr. II) winner Oratory and Lane's End (gr. II) winner Flower Alley, who hasn't run since his ninth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, but has been working steadily for trainer Todd Pletcher.
