Connections of Dullahan eyeing Pacific Classic

Even over the phone, Jerry Crawford's enthusiasm was palpably strong.

Crawford is the head of the Donegal Racing partnership that owns Grade 1 Blue

Grass winner and classic-placed Dullahan, who appears bound for a start in the

Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 26.

"We've had the Pacific Classic circled as a possibility for, literally, since

the Triple Crown," Crawford said from Saratoga.

Dullahan, a half-brother to 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird,

created considerable Kentucky Derby buzz with a 1 1/4-length victory over Hansen

in the Blue Grass on Polytrack at Keeneland April 14. Three weeks later came the

third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, beaten only 1 3/4 lengths despite a

troubled trip.

After skipping the Preakness, Dullhan put in a dazzling morning workout in

early June at Belmont Park which propelled him to 5-2 favoritism in the Belmont

Stakes. But an inexplicably dull seventh-place there was followed by a no-factor

fifth of six last Sunday in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

Which provided reinforcement to thoughts of going West, to a Polytrack

surface similar to that of Keeneland, site of Dullahan's two career wins. The

other option is the Grade 1, $1 million Travers at Saratoga, the "Midsummer

Derby," on August 25.

"The track at Saratoga can be a deep surface, like Belmont Park was on the

afternoon of the Belmont Stakes," Crawford said. "Obviously, Dullahan has done

well on Polytrack. The issue is whether you run well in the Travers on the one

hand, or run well against older horses in the Pacific Classic on the other hand.

"Both of those advance your cause in terms of being three-year-old of the

year, and in terms of stallion value at stud. They were the two logical choices

to consider, and, of the two, Del Mar fits us better."

Trainer Dale Romans' statement that the Pacific Classic was a possibility,

reported by Daily Racing Form on Thursday afternoon, triggered ripples of

interest at Del Mar. And while a final decision is several days away, Crawford

indicated the likelihood was strong.

"We will make a final decision after he breezes (August 11 or 12). And as

soon as he shows us he's in fighting form, we'll be ready to head for Del Mar

and try to get there eight or nine days ahead of time," Crawford said.

Another potential shipper for the Pacific Classic is Grade 3 winner Where's

Sterling, owned by Frank Calabrese and trained by Luis Ramirez. The

Florida-based horse posted back-to-back wins in May and June at Calder in

ungraded stakes. The five-year-old son of Northern Afleet was second in the

Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup, his most recent start at the 1 1/4-mile distance of

the Pacific Classic.

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