Belmont Stakes 2012 Bloodlines: Dullahan

Photo: Eric Patterson / Eclipse Sportswire
by Jarrod Horak
 
Which horse has the best pedigree to handle twelve furlongs in the final leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, June 9 at Belmont Park? My Belmont Stakes alphabetical list continues with Dullahan.  
 
Dullahan’s sire Even The Score raced 29 times from 2001-04. He won the G2 Mervyn LeRoy and G2 Californian before finishing 3rd in the G1 Hollywood Gold Cup to end his career in 2004. He banked more than $751k in his career. His current stud fee is $10k and in addition to Dullahan he is also responsible for multiple grade one winner Take The Points.
 
Even The Score’s sire Unbridled’s Song (by Unbridled) earned more than a cool million on the racetrack and was on the Triple Crown trail in 1996. The ’95 BC Juvenile hero won the G1 Florida Derby and G2 Wood Memorial before finishing 5th as the favorite in the ’96 Derby.  He is responsible for more than 90 stakes winners including Unrivaled Belle, Midshipman, and Mission Impazible.   
 
Even The Score’s dam Ashtabula (by Rahy) raced 36 times with earnings of $321,748. She finished 3rd in the 1995 Bayakoa Handicap (G2).  
 
 
 
Dullahan’s mother Mining My Own (by Smart Strike) never raced but is best known for throwing 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. The latter finished 3rd behind Summer Bird and Dunkirk in the Belmont Stakes.  
 
Smart Strike (by Mr. Prospector) went 6-for-8 in 1995-96 including wins in Monmouth’s G3 Salvator Mile and G1 Iselin. He has sired many stakes winners including Curlin (2nd Belmont Stakes), English Channel, Lookin At Lucky, and My Miss Aurelia.  
 
Mining My Own’s dam Aspenelle (by Vice Regent) won 2 of 4 starts in 1993 and wrapped up her career with a place finish in the nine furlong Canadian Oaks.
 
Dullahan definitely gets the bulk of his stamina from the female side of his pedigree and has some marathon influences on the bottom as well. He is 2-for-2 at Keeneland (polytrack) and is 0-for-7 on dirt/turf. He packs a decent stretch kick but his late pace ratings are surprisingly light. He will try to get involved late under new rider Javier Castellano in the Test of Champions.  
 

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