Dullahan Upsets In Pacific Classic

Donegal Stable’s Dullahan, eastern invader who was the lone three-year-old in the field, rallied from deep in the ten-horse field to run down 6-5 favored Game on Dude in the final sixteenth and win the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic under jockey Joel Rosario Sunday.

Dullahan, third behind I’ll Have Another in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Blue Grass Stakes last spring,  won going away by a half-length over a courageous Game on Dude who turned for home with a clear advantage under Chantal Sutherland.

Richard’s Kid, two-time Pacific Classic winner in 2009 and 2010, closed well along the inside to be third, 2 ¾ lengths behind Game on Dude and 1 ¼ in front of fourth-place Rail Trip. Following in order were Suggestive Boy, Amani, Jaycito, Where’s Sterling, Akkadian and Riveting Reason, tenth and last.

Dullahan, a son of Even the Score owned by the Donegal Stable and trained by Dale Romans, accomplished the mile and one-quarter over Del Mar’s Polytrack in a fast 1:59.54, breaking the track record of 2:00.61 set by Acclamation in the Pacific Classic last summer.

Sent postward the third betting choice at 5-1, Dullahan paid $12.60, $5.20 and $3.40. The winner’s share of $600,000 for his third success in a dozen starts increased the colt’s bankroll to $1,702,091. According to race conditions, as a three-year-old Dullahan carried 118 pounds. He is the fourth sophomore to win Del Mar’s signature race, following Best Pal, General Challenge and Came Home.

Runner-up Game on Dude, who was attempting to complete a sweep of California’s major races for older horses after winning the Santa Anita Handicap last year and the Hollywood Gold Cup in 2012, returned $3.20 and $2.40, while Richard’s Kid paid $3 to show.

Sunday’s attendance was 34,482.