NEW YORK (AP) — The horse with possibly the best chance to spoil I'll Have Another's bid for a Triple Crown posted a strong workout six days before the Belmont Stakes.
Dullahan blazed four furlongs in 45.97 seconds Sunday morning at Belmont Park. A fast workout usually indicates a horse is in top shape.
"He looked like he was galloping, and then we got back to the barn he recovered quickly," said Romans, who won the 2011 Preakness with Shackleford. "He wasn't blowing. I think he's ready."
Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another went for his usual gallop, but first visited the paddock where he will be saddled before attempting to become the first Triple Crown champion in 34 years.
Trainer Doug O'Neill says I'll Have Another "continues his great energy and great stride, and I'm very happy with the way he looked today."
Dullahan finished third in the Derby, 1¾ lengths behind I'll Have Another. He did not run in the Preakness.
Several other Belmont contenders posted final workouts at Belmont, including trainer Bob Baffert's Paynter, who went seven furlongs, 1:25,00.
Union Rags breezed five furlongs in 59.00 at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md.
John Velazquez, who will be riding the colt for the first time in the 1½-mile Belmont, made the trip from New York for the workout. Union Rags had a troubled trip in the Derby and ran seventh with Julien Leparoux aboard. He was held out of the Preakness.
"Johnny seemed to like him and he seemed to do that easy enough," said trainer Michael Matz.
