Romans looking for second Dubai World Cup win

Little Mike ran eighth in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 while Dullahan

finished 11th in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar, both on March 9.

"It's a very tough task to come over here and win the

richest races in the world against some of the very best horses, but coming

early gives us the best chance," Romans said.

The trainer relies on his longtime

partner, Tammy Fox, to help guide the fortunes of his stable, and Fox has spent

several weeks in Dubai with the horses.

Romans, whose resume also includes such success stories as

champion Kitten's Joy, classic winner Shackelford and Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Fillies Turf heroine Tapitsfly, is pleased about how his horses have come on

since they have been in Dubai and is bullish about their Dubai World Cup day

chances.

"He looks fresh and happy...and he's plenty fit," Romans

observed of Dullahan. "Little Mike can run fast early and keep going. If (the

other horses in the race) want to chase him early, fine, but they won't finish

if they do."

Little Mike joined Dullahan on Meydan's all-weather Tapeta Wednesday, with

each galloping about 1 1/2 miles under Fox. Dullahan, however, seemed a bit more

energetic while bouncing and leaping in the air.

"He looked really good. He's ready to go," Romans said of Little Mike, before

adding about Dullahan, "I'm very confident. I feel good about my chances. If we

get a few breaks (in racing luck), he'll be very competitive."

One day after his drill down the Meydan

all-weather track stretch, Animal Kingdom strolled to the training track and

took a leisurely jog around the peaceful oval with assistant trainer Alice

Clapham in the saddle on Wednesday.

Trainer Graham Motion was joined by Barry Irwin, chief executive

officer of ownership group Team Valor International, and Bradley Weisbord, Team

Valor chief operating officer, to watch the 2011 Kentucky Derby

winner and they liked what they saw.

"He seems super," Motion said. "I just

wanted to give him an easy day today after the work yesterday and the schooling

session last night."

Animal Kingdom joined other American-based horses in

schooling in the saddling area and parade ring on Tuesday evening to get

acquainted with what they will experience on race night. The five-year-old

champion, who missed last year's Dubai World Cup after developing lameness in

his left hind leg in mid-March, will leave from the 12 post on Saturday.

"To tell the truth I was glad one, two and three were already

taken," Motion said in regards to Animal Kingdom's post. "I talked to Ramon Dominguez and he said that we wouldn't want to see him

caught on the inside.

"Hopefully Joel Rosario will have him in a good spot. Our

tactics won't change and he's capable of coming from off of it if he has to.

After all we won the Derby from post 16."

Fellow champion Royal Delta turned in the most electric workout of the week

on Wednesday, breezing approximately 600 meters down the stretch in :35 3/5 under Rodolphe Brisset as trainer Bill Mott

looked on from the rail with his son, Riley, by his side. In comparison,

Animal Kingdom worked the same distance in :36 1/5 on Tuesday.

"She looked like she was moving very easily," Mott said. "We just let her

stretch her legs a little bit. She looks good and she's handling

everything very well."

Brisset said the daughter of Empire Maker knew she was

going to work and jumped into her exercise, rolling down the stretch

enthusiastically with her ears pricked.

"We're in good shape. All we need now is

a little luck."

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