Breeders' Cup: Dullahan to decide on Juvenle, Juvenile Turf after work

Wednesday’s 16 pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile drew few surprises, save one: Dullahan, the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity winner who was pre-entered in both the Juvenile and Juvenile Turf, had his first preference announced as the Juvenile Turf.

Although his connections had stated he was under consideration for both races, Dale Romans, trainer of Dullahan, seemed to be favoring the Juvenile in comments made over past couple weeks.

On Wednesday morning, Romans was quick to say the preference does not tip his hand as to which race Dullahan is running.
“Don’t read anything into it,” he said.

He said the preference was made for strategic reasons to ensure he made the field for both races, though he admitted, “It probably wouldn’t have mattered.”

Romans said a determination on which race Dullahan competes in won’t be made until Saturday night, after the colt works that morning over the main track at Churchill Downs.

Breeders’ Cup entries are to be officially made by 10 a.m. Monday, with field size capped at 14.

Irrespective of whether Dullahan runs in the Juvenile or not, Fort Loudon, Hansen, and Take Charge Indy – horses lacking the graded stakes points to automatically gain entry to the race – made the cut with the Breeders’ Cup selection committee to make the field.

European stakes winners Crusade and Daddy Long Legs also were selected, as was Prospective, winner of the Grade 3 Grey Stakes at Woodbine on Oct. 9.

Even minor stakes winner Sabercat, the first alternate, seems likely to make the race because Majestic City, one of leading pre-entries, is expected to bypass the race in favor of the Juvenile Turf.

That seemingly leaves maiden winner Speightscity, the second of two alternates, as the only horse at risk of not making the body of the field.

However, Breeders’ Cup rules allow for as many as two also-eligible horses – a position Speightscity could be in if the race draws more than 14 next Monday. He could then draw into the race if a scratch occurs before 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4.