Dullahan drills on dirt, but Classic decision awaits

Dullahan worked five furlongs on Santa Anita's conventional dirt track

Saturday morning under Tammy Fox in 1:00, after which trainer Dale Romans said a

decision on whether the Grade 1 Pacific Classic winner would run in the $5

million Breeders' Cup Classic or the $3 million Turf at Santa Anita next

Saturday would likely not be rendered before Monday's deadline.

"I thought he went really good," Romans said shortly after the 9 a.m. (PDT)

drill. "I haven't talked to her (Fox) yet, but he went fast and he looked good

doing it."

Dullahan is pre-entered for the Classic at 1 1/4 miles on dirt and the Turf

at 1 1/2 miles.

"We'll talk to her and Jerry (Crawford, owner, who races as Donegal Racing).

It'll be Jerry's decision. We'll have a meeting with her and see what she says.

There's no rush, but by entry time on Monday, we'll have it settled by then.

Also for Romans, multiple Grade 1 hero Little Mike (Turf or Mile) worked five

furlongs on Santa Anita's firm turf course in 1:01 4/5, while Moonwalk (Juvenile

Fillies Turf) went the same distance in 1:01 3/5.

Later Saturday morning, Romans and his crew welcomed a crowd of approximately

80 horse lovers to Santa Anita's Barn 76. The meet-and-greet was publicized via

Facebook and Twitter.

Shackleford, Little Mike and Dullahan were presented to the enthusiastic

gathering, most of whom were armed with cameras.

"This is all thanks to Laura Hermanson," the self-effacing Romans said. "She

handles our social media and she said we've been getting all kinds of requests

to meet 'Shack,' and so I decided today would be the best day to try and

accommodate as many people as possible."

Along with a large gathering of fans, HRTV was on hand to document the "Meet

and Greet," as Romans first addressed questions regarding how his horses trained

earlier and then brought each horse out individually to pose for pictures.

Before Romans brought out his first horse, Little Mike, one of the attendees

told Romans, "Somebody (in media) said that Shackleford worked too fast and that

he might be over the top."

When the four-year-old son of Forestry emerged from his shedrow, there was no

doubt that he is the Romans' stable star. The striking chestnut posed calmly

with his ears pricked and turned his head from time to time to take in the

shutter-clicking throng.

"Shackleford, he knows he's the king," Romans said. "He's an absolutely

special horse. When he won the Preakness, they always have a big party at the

barn afterwards and there must've been a thousand people come by to pet him."

After approximately five minutes, Romans asked if anyone had a mint. Several

people said they did, and at that point, Romans allowed about 25 people, mainly

small children, to come forward and have their picture taken with the barn's

leading man.

"I always thought he was a super cool horse and we wanted to give him a good

name," said co-owner and breeder Mike Lauffer, who had been on-hand earlier for

Shackleford's final Breeders' Cup breeze.

Among Breeders' Cup candidates scheduled to work at Santa Anita Sunday are

Classic favorite Game On Dude and Turf Sprint contender California Flag, winner

of that event in 2009.

The Breeders' Cup hopefuls Pool Play, Spring in the Air, Spring Venture,

Dynamic Sky and Delegation breezed at Churchill Downs for trainer Mark Casse on

Friday, and assistant trainer Norman Casse reported everyone was in good order

Saturday morning. The horses are scheduled to fly to California on Sunday

afternoon.

Fans will be treated to a comprehensive free Breeders' Cup Handicapping

Seminar following the races at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Sirona's, which overlooks

Santa Anita's Paddock Gardens area.

HRTV's Joanne Jones and Daily Racing Form's Mike Watchmaker will be

joined by legendary public handicapper Prof. Gordon Jones. Watchmaker will

attempt to "keep up with the Joneses" as the triumvirate analyzes, handicaps,

and "x-rays" the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships in depth.