Ancient Rome will try two turns in Gulfstream Park Derby

Ancient Rome will try two turns in Gulfstream Park Derby

Trainer Anthony Dutrow admits he isn't sure if his soon-to-be-three-year-old

Ancient Rome will be able to stretch out around two turns, but by the time the

field for Sunday's inaugural running of the Gulfstream Park Derby hits the wire

he should have a pretty good idea.

"I honestly don't know what to expect," Dutrow said. "Ancient Rome certainly

has the talent, and if he can get the distance, he's going to be a useful

three-year-old this year. It's all about experimenting here."

Dutrow says the year's first Derby -- run at 1 1/16 miles -- will help him

decide on a path for the remainder of 2012 with his son of Roman Ruler.

"T0here are so many opportunities for three-year-olds throughout the year,"

he said. "That's why we're stretching him out sooner rather than later. If it

doesn't work out, we're not going to argue. We'll just campaign him as a

sprinter."

Ancient Rome, who breezed four furlongs in :48 1/5 on Monday at Palm Meadows,

is exiting a win at Gulfstream Park in the six-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes.

The bay colt battled for the lead throughout and fought back gamely in the

stretch when passed by eventual runner-up For Oby, scoring by a nose.

"He's always shown that toughness," Dutrow said. "That's one thing we know

for sure about him. I would anticipate coming out of those sprint races he would

be out on the lead or at least with the pacemakers."

While Dutrow reiterates that Ancient Rome's start in the Gulfstream Park

Derby is an experiment, the conditioner is looking to his horse's pedigree for

hints on the result.

"He's by Roman Ruler so we're looking at that when thinking about the stretch

out," Dutrow said. "His daddy has produced a Belmont winner (Ruler on Ice) so

we'll just have to wait and see."