Gulfstream Park: Romans ponders Dubai prep races for Dullahan, Little Mike

Barbara D. Livingston

Little Mike will prep for the Dubai World Cup in a race to be determined on March 9.

Trainer Dale Romans said both Little Mike and Dullahan will depart next Wednesday for Dubai, where they will make their 2013 debuts at Meydan Racecourse on March 9. Romans is using those races as preps for the Dubai World Cup card three weeks later.

Romans has yet to determine which of the two races on the March 9 card, the Burj Nahaar at a mile or the 1 1/4-mile Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, would be best for Dullahan and Little Mike. He said his two horses will not race against each other that night.

Romans did confirm that he has secured the services of jockey Kieren Fallon to ride both horses March 9.

Little Mike turned in what may have been his last local work before travelling next week when he breezed five furlongs in 1:01.28 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.85 and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:27.51 over the main track Thursday.

“I think that was as good as he’s ever worked on dirt,” Romans said. “I might not get to work him again until he gets over to Dubai. It all depends on what time the flight leaves on Wednesday.”

Romans said Dullahan will work here again either Monday or Tuesday morning before making the trip to Dubai.

“He’s really been working well since we gave him that little break after the Breeders’ Cup,” Romans said of Dullahan.