Racing: Dullahan lodges claim

Dullahan. Photo / AP

With jockey Javier Castellano aboard, Dullahan breezed so easily in his workout at Belmont Park on Monday it looked as if he was going much slower than he actually was, which pleased trainer Dale Romans.

The colt took 58 for his 1000m gallop, 45.97 for the last 800m and 22.20 for the final 400m as he prepared for the Belmont Stakes on Sunday (NZT).

"He is ready," the trainer said of the main danger to I'll Have Another, who is on track for the Triple Crown, after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

He said the work was similar to that turned in by the Even the Score colt before his victory in the April 14 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

"Right before the Blue Grass he went in 57 2/5 [1000m]. When he works like that, he runs big," Romans said.

"He looked like he was galloping, and then we got back to the barn he recovered quickly. He wasn't blowing. I think he's ready. I'm happy with my position. I wouldn't change places with anybody in this race."

Dullahan will be making his first start since finishing third in the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

Paynter, a son of Awesome Again trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, worked right behind Belmont contender Street Life and his workmate.

As the horses went down the stretch, it appeared as if Paynter was intent on catching Street Life and Zivo, both of whom are trained by Chad Brown.

"Bob likes that kind of work, and I saw what I needed to see," said Baffert assistant Jim Barnes. "He'll sit and wait, and when you ask him he responds."