Blue Grass Stakes 2012: Dullahan Wins It in Final Furlong

Dullahan, ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux, chased down Hansen just before he ran out of time to win the $750,000 2012 Blue Grass Stakes in Kentucky.

By pulling off an impressive 1 1/4-length victory, Dullahan solidified himself as viable betting option in the upcoming Kentucky Derby.

The horse was listed at 3-1 prior to the race, completing the 1 1/8-mile track in 1:47.94. Dullahan paid $8.40, $3.60 and $3.

Hansen started at the No. 4 post, and after jumping out to an early lead, couldn't survive a furious charge by Dullaham in the final furlong. Desormeaux let his horse hang back in the early stages of the race, then weaved through the pack to catch and surpass the then-leader Hansen.

Hansen, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, was listed at 6-5 odds, and returned $3 and $2.60 for the second-place finish. The horse was the focal point prior to the race after his owner, Dr. Kendall Hansen, dyed the second half of his tail University of Kentucky royal blue.

Hansen was told by officials that he would face violations if the paint wasn't removed before the horse entered the paddock.

Dullahan is owned by Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing and trained by Dale L. Romans. 

Interestingly enough, Hansen will need to take the same route as Street Sense did in 2007 when he came in second to Dominican prior to finishing first in the Kentucky Derby.

Ironically, Dominican was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, who guided Secret Circle to a second-place finish in today's Arkansas Derby.

Gung Ho finished third, Holy Candy finished fourth, Howe Great finished fifth, Prospective finished sixth, Heavy Breathing finished seventh, followed by Midnight Crooner, Scatman, Ever So Lucky, Russian Greek, Ramsey's Politicallycorrect and Hero of Order.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145756-blue-grass-stakes-2012-dullahan-wins-it-in-final-furlong

Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo