Dullahan to skip Preakness for Belmont

May 11, 2012 - 2:31 PM Des Moines, IA (Sports Network) - Dullahan, third in the Kentucky Derby, will bypass the upcoming Preakness Stakes and aim for the Belmont Stakes on June 9. Donegal Racing's Jerry Crawford made the announcement Friday morning.

"[Trainer] Dale Romans loves the way Dullahan came out of the Kentucky Derby and believes we could win the Preakness," Crawford said. "But we believe we have a three-year-old 'Horse of the Year' candidate and that his future is best served by not asking him to race for the third time in just five weeks in the Preakness.

"We also love the fact that the Belmont Stakes has been a stallion producer with A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid, Empire Maker and Birdstone being great examples."

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Dullahan finished third as the 12-1 sixth pick in the 20 horse field of the Kentucky Derby. The colt made a three wide rally around the final turn and closed down the middle of the track to get within two lengths of the winner I'll Have Another.

This year Dullahan won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 14 and has earned $680,000. In nine career starts the chestnut three-year-old has three wins for $1,072,091.