GO CURLIN : Curlin News

817/08 - Curlin moves to the main track at Saratoga on Monday
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today
—Phil Janack

With the newly risen sun as a backdrop and a nearly full moon still prominent overhead, Horse of the Year Curlin introduced himself to the main track at Saratoga Race Course on Monday. Putting in one final significant move prior to his next scheduled start in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) on August 30, Curlin sailed through a seven-furlong breeze in 1:24.84 under regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas.

The pair stepped on to the track at 6:05 a.m. EDT following a sixminute walk from trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn adjacent to the Oklahoma training track, which is located across Union Avenue. Curlin and new workmate Hawaii Calls went off together through splits of :24.60, :36.80, :48.80, and 1:00 before Rosas asked Curlin for more at the quarter pole. The four-year-old Smart Strike colt responded emphatically, pulling away easily and cruising down the stretch clear of jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and Hawaii Calls, who was clocked in 1:25.62.

Curlin galloped out one mile in 1:37.80 under wraps while Hawaii Calls was fully extended. “He handled the track beautiful,” Rosas said. “I didn’t see anything wrong. I turned him loose a little bit today, and you see what happened. I [told] Shaun [Bridgmohan] this morning, ‘You better wear your goggles because at the quarter pole, you’re going to need it.’ That’s just what we did.”

The workout was the fifth for Curlin since arriving at Saratoga in mid-July and the only one he will have on the main track. Asmussen had hoped to get that accomplished last week but was stymied by rain. “The weather was nice, and we got a nice, fast track,” Asmussen said. “I thought it very important to get him over there one time before he ran over it. “I think he handled it well. If he’d have struggled with the racetrack, it would have shown in one form or another, especially cooling out. It definitely seemed like something he could handle, and he did it really well. He galloped out real strong, and came back nice.”

By design, Curlin worked on the inside of Hawaii Calls on Monday, unlike last week’s six-furlong breeze on the Oklahoma training track. “It was his tempo, his work. Everything was about him today,” Asmussen said. “Other times, you’re at different stages. I just wanted him to have a serious work and do what Carlos felt like he wanted to do. “The first time by, before he broke off, you could tell he was looking around a little bit, but I think that’s only natural. Once he was into his work, he was very serious and steady and impressive.” Asmussen said Curlin’s final move on August 25 will be on the training track, and that he would likely school in the paddock between races this week, possibly on Thursday.

Jess Jackson, majority owner of Horse of the Year Curlin, now wants the owners of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown to consider taking Curlin on in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Sept. 27 at Belmont Park. On Wednesday morning, Jackson challenged the owners to run Big Brown in the Aug. 30 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, where Curlin will race next, but Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables said the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Oct. 24 is where the championship should be decided.

Jackson issued the following statement late Wednesday afternoon:

“I am delighted that we are talking about Curlin on the day that Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian ever. Great athletes deserve great company. This is what sports is about — the thrill of competition. And it is my belief that Thoroughbred racing is indeed the greatest sport of all time.

“I made a sportsman’s proposal to Big Brown’s connections this morning to race at Saratoga Race Course in the Grade 1 Woodward on August 30, and they declined the invitation. I am disappointed by the news. I read this morning that Big Brown might be looking for a turf race at Belmont Park, so apparently, his connections are looking at other options this fall.

“I would ask Big Brown’s camp to consider the prestigious Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park on September 27 as an option. It’s a prestigious, prized race on a natural dirt surface at one of the great tracks in the world. Big Brown is a champion Thoroughbred and, most certainly, would be prepared to race at the end of September. Perhaps we could work together to get the Breeder’s Cup to add an incentive to the purse so that a specific charity would get a bigger slice of the pie.

“This has long been a part of my platform for this industry - bigger purses.

"Another part of my personal platform is to make charitable contributions. When Barbara and I bought Curlin, we immediately established the Jackson Curlin for Kids Fund whose purpose is to make a difference in the lives of children where Curlin runs or trains. In February of this year, we donated $1 million to The Woods Laboratory for equine and human cancer and infertility research. Plus we give millions to more than 600 charities every year because we believe it is the right thing to do. We also are aware of IEAH’s involvement with charitable causes, including the current construction of the Ruffian Equine Medical Center across from Belmont Park. We seem to have two great horses and a common purpose. Why not get them together?

"As to the Breeder’s Cup, it is not part of my current plan for Curlin. I felt it was the sporting thing to do to announce Curlin’s schedule to give fair notice to anyone looking to compete against the reigning Horse of the Year this fall.

"Our plan is to focus on the Woodward, look to the Jockey Cup Gold Cup, hopefully with Big Brown in the field, and review our plans after that.

"Ultimately, all of us have to do what is in the best interest of our horse. I wish Big Brown well and hope Curlin has the opportunity to compete against him. It certainly would help the industry and please the fans of both of these majestic horses

8/11/08 - CURLIN WORKS AT SARATOGA
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today
—Phil Janack

Overnight and early morning rain forced trainer Steve Asmussen to call an audible for 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin on Monday. Asmussen originally planned to give the four-year-old Smart Strike colt his first breeze on the main track at Saratoga Race Course changed plans when it came up muddy, pushing it back to shortly before 8 a.m. EDT.

Instead, Curlin worked six furlongs in 1:14.67 on the Oklahoma training track, galloping out seven furlongs in 1:38.68 under regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas. “He went great,” Asmussen said. “It’s remarkable how he seems to go over the ground, regardless of the condition. He’s got a beautiful action. They went a little quicker than I was expecting them to, but they seemed to do it very easily. I got him in 14 and change, and we were expecting 15 or a little slower. “I was hoping to get a work on the main track, and this morning would have been good to get that done and over with, but Mother Nature said, ‘Not today.’ ”

Curlin is tuning up for his next scheduled start in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) on August 30 at Saratoga. The Woodward will mark his return to a dirt track after finishing second in his turf debut in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) on July 12 at Belmont Park.

Curlin has earned $9,496,800, leaving him $503,015 shy of Cigar’s record of $9,999,815 for all-time leading North American-raced earners. Skip Away is second at $9,616,360. A victory in the Woodward would put Curlin second at $9,796,800. Although he trained last summer and fall as well as this summer in Saratoga, Curlin has never been on the main track. The 36-day meeting has been plagued by rain, wind, and hail, and the final eight races were canceled on August 8 after portions of the track were washed out.

“I’m pleased with how everything went,” Asmussen said. “Now we really have to watch the weather, but if the main track’s muddy next week, we’re going to work over here. The Oklahoma just handles the water, I feel, so much better. The main track this morning seemed to be right down to the base.”

Curlin worked in company with Hawaii Calls, a four-year-old Fusaichi Pegasus colt also owned by Stonestreet Stables. Hawaii Calls was timed in 1:14.97 for six furlongs. “I think he’s a lot more relaxed earlier in the work in company,” Asmussen said of Curlin. “Ability-wise, he’s capable of doing so much. We used Hawaii Calls as a rabbit for him. He’s got one steady speed which is solid, and he was able to relax off of him and let the other horse pace him.” Asmussen is hopeful that Curlin’s next planned workout on August 18 can be done on the main track.

8/5/08 - CURLIN: WOODWARD NEXT STOP
Jess Jackson, majority owner of Horse of the Year Curlin, said the colt will race next in the Woodward at Saratoga Aug. 30 at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

The California winemaker said other races he and trainer Steve Asmussen had under consideration for Curlin were the Pacific Classic on Polytrack at Del Mar Aug. 24 and the Arlington Million on turf this weekend at Arlington Park in Chicago.

"The Woodward has the least purse," Jackson said, "but we thought it would be best to stay at this venue (where Curlin is currently training), both for him and for racing."

The purse for the Woodward is $500,000, half that of the Million and Pacific Classic.

Jackson said he was making decisions on a "one race at a time" basis, but that several scenarios are under consideration for the race or races after the Woodward, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Japan Cup or Japan Cup Dirt, or the Hong Kong International Races.

"We’re going to keep all those options open, but right now we’re going to focus on the Woodward," he said.

"We’d like to go (to the Breeders’ Cup Classic), but it’s an untested surface," Jackson said, in reference to the Pro-Ride synthetic track currently being installed at Santa Anita Park, which will host the Breeders’ Cup both this year and in 2009. Besides, Jackson said in reference to the Classic, "Been there, done that

As he was last week, owner Jess Jackson was present for the workout. He is expected to reveal during a national teleconference this afternoon where Curlin will make his next start. On his Stonestreet Farms website, Jackson solicited input from fans as to where they would like to see Curlin run next. The final results showed 51% favored the colt staying on turf, while 33% wanted to see a return to dirt. There was also 10% that preferred Curlin run on a synthetic surface, while another 6% favored retirement.

The 11⁄2-mile Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (G1) on grass at Saratoga on August 16, the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on Del Mar’s synthetic Polytrack surface on August 24, and the Woodward Stakes (G1) on dirt at Saratoga on August 30 are among the possibilities for Curlin’s return. “Where he’s going to run, I’m excited no matter what,” Asmussen
said, “because he’s a tremendous horse.”

7/29/08 - No plans yet for Horse of the Year Curlin’s next start
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today
—Phil Janack

Horse of the Year Curlin returned to the track on Monday morning, breezing on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course. The four-year-old Smart Strike colt finished five furlongs in 1:03.09 on a track rated as fast, ranking ninth of 11 horses at the distance. It was his second breeze at Saratoga since finishing second to Red Rocks (Ire) in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in his turf debut. He covered a half-mile in :51.47 on July 21.

“He looked the same as he always does. He’s easily recognizable,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I thought
that he went very well. “The fabulous thing about Curlin is, you watch him come back and he doesn’t give you any indication whether he worked or walked or jogged or galloped. He’s got that air about him that really separates him.”

Majority owner Jess Jackson and his wife were on hand for the workout. Jackson and Asmussen remain non-committal on where or upon what surface Curlin will run, next other than saying that all options remain open. “I think them coming here today indicates [they are] thinking about where we’re at,” Asmussen said. “We’ve just got to worry about what we have control over, and that’s Curlin—his physical condition, how he’s doing, and how he feels.”

Two possible spots at Saratoga are the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (G1) on turf on August 16 and the Woodward Stakes (G1) on dirt on August 30.

The Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on August 24 at Del Mar is another option. “There’s four or five that he’s nominated to now,” Asmussen said. “We haven’t let any pass.” As he did last year, when Curlin worked over the training track throughout the summer and fall prior to victories in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1), Asmussen prefers to keep the horse with his string at Saratoga. “It’s the comfort level,” he said. “This time of year, with the cool mornings, it’s how comfortable I am with the training track and just a feeling of how good he did last year. He put in serious training, put his head in the game, and got down to business after the Haskell [Invitational Stakes (G1)] and shipped from here the week of the Jockey Club.

“He stamped his readiness that day as far as who he is and what was to come. We were able to get that accomplished here, so that’s obviously what we’re looking for—that feeling you had walking over knowing what you felt like he was thinking about and what he had done.”

7/22/08 -
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today

Although Monday’s workout was on dirt, where and on what surface 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) runs next remain undecided. Curlin breezed an easy half-mile in :51.47 on Monday on a muddy Oklahoma training track. The workout was his first timed move since finishing second in his turf debut in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) on July 12 at Belmont.

“He came out of it really good,” Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said Tuesday morning.
“I’m very happy with it.” The Man o’ War snapped a five-race winning streak for Curlin, trained by Asmussen for majority owner Jess Jackson. “I think everybody was so disappointed that he ran second in a Grade 1 between two Breeders’ Cup [Turf (G1)] winners,” Blasi said. “Believe me, we’re very fortunate to have him. There’s no substitute for him.”

As he did last summer and fall, Curlin will use Saratoga as his training base to prepare for his next start. Should he make his next start on grass, the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (G1) at 11⁄2 miles onAugust 16 could be a possibility. The 11⁄8-mile Woodward Stakes (G1) on August 30 might be an option if Curlin returns to dirt.

“He’s done really well for us up here. It’s a great surface, and I think he appreciates the cooler weather,” Blasi said. “Right now, you can’t rule anything out. Steve and Jess will get together and decide what’s going to happen. There’s really no pressure on him.”

7/13/08 -
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today

Horse of the Year Curlin emerged from his runner-up finish in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Belmont Park in good order, trainer Steve Asmussen said. Making his first start on grass, Curlin finished two lengths behind 2006 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Red Rocks (Ire) in the 13⁄8-
mile Man o’ War.

“Physically, he came out of the race great,” Asmussen said. Curlin will resume training at Saratoga Race Course, and Asmussen plans to evaluate the Smart Strike colt throughout the week. At this point, the trainer said he is considering “all options” for Curlin, a career earner of $9,496,800 who entered the Man o’ War with five straight wins, including a victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) in his previous start on June 14 at Churchill Downs. Asmussen and majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables previously expressed an interest in running Curlin in the $6,243,800 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), the world’s most lucrative turf race, on October 5 at Longchamp. Jackson said Curlin could be sent to France to make his next start on turf in the Qatar Prix Foy (Fr-G2), a 2,400-meter (11.93-fulong) turf race on September 14 at Longchamp. He also mentioned the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-G1),

7/12/08 - Curlin a good 2nd in the Man o'War
Courtesy of the TDN
While Curlin ran respectably to be second, beaten only two lengths in his turf bow, the chestnut's connections appeared unsure of what to make of the result. "We just didn't see that late kick from him today," said the colt's 80-percent owner, Jess Jackson. "I don't know if that was because he is still getting used to the turf or what. These are some of the things I will have to talk to [trainer] Steve [Asmussen] about. My feeling right now is that he needs another turf test. We know what he can do on dirt, and that is always an option."

While Curlin's immediate future is still unknown, Jackson was undeterred by the colt's first loss in six starts. "I'm disappointed, but this is not a setback," said Jackson. "And the horse that beat him is a very good horse, and I congratulate them on a great race."

Jockey Robby Albarado was pragmatic about his mount's first turf attempt. "Obviously, he didn't grab me like he normally does," he said. "It wasn't an awful race. He was up against it with a couple of Breeders' Cup winners. His
acceleration was a little different. He felt great, physically. He wasn't stressed or tired when I pulled him up. It's up to [his connections], but I would like to see him get another chance, another shot on turf. It's like a first race for him, a new chapter. He's got tons of talent and maybe that's what got him second today."

7/9/08 - Horse of the Year Curlin cleared to contest Man o’ War
Courtsey of the Thoroughbred Times Today
—Jeff Lowe

Licensing issues apparently have been resolved that will enable Curlin to compete in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Belmont Park.

The colt’s eligibility was in question because Shirley Cunningham and Bill Gallion collectively own a 20% share of the five-time Grade/ Group 1 winner. Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables owns the other 80%. Cunningham is not licensed in New York. Normally that only would be a formality, but Cunningham and Gallion face federal charges for allegedly bilking their clients in a lawsuit settlement related to the diet drug Fen-Phen. The clients won a civil judgment against the suspended attorneys, and a Kentucky judge last week ordered an interim receiver, Matthew Garretson, to take control of the management of Cunningham’s and Gallion’s assets. With the order, Garretson as receiver would replace Midnight Cry in Curlin’s ownership makeup for the Man o’ War, said Richard Getty, attorney for Stonestreet. Getty said Stonestreet and Garretson have been approved to enter Curlin in the Man o’ War, but Daniel Toomey, spokesman for the New York Racing and Wagering Board, would only confirm on Tuesday afternoon that the board expects to receive a license application for Garretson within the next day or so. Entries for the Man o’ War will be taken on Thursday.

Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year, would make his turf debut in a field that could also include John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winners Red Rocks (Ire) and Better Talk Now. Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen are eager to test Curlin in elite company on turf to gauge whether they should proceed with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) as a major target this fall. “I think that’s the question we want answered this weekend—whether he’s of the caliber to be considered for the Arc on the turf,” Asmussen said. “Two previous Breeders’ Cup Turf winners should definitely give us that measure.

“I think the Arc is one of the greatest races in the world, and we’re hoping to prove Curlin is one of the greatest horses in the world. If we can establish a Grade 1 form on him this Saturday at Belmont in the Man o’ War, we will make arrangements from there to get him to Chantilly and start our preparations with him to be comfortable going right [clockwise]. Liking the turf is one thing, going right-handed is another.”

7/8/08 - Horse of the Year Curlin breezes at Churchill Downs
Courtesy of the Thorougbred Times Today

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin continued preparations for his turf debut this weekend with a half-mile breeze on dirt Monday morning at Churchill Downs. Curlin completed an easy four furlongs in :50.80 on the main track rated as fast under regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas. The four-year-old Smart Strike colt is scheduled
to race on turf for the first time on Saturday, in either the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park or the Arlington
Handicap (G3) at Arlington Park.

Curlin worked seven furlongs on turf in 1:31.20 on July1 at Churchill. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he would prefer to start Curlin in the Man o’ War, which is expected to include two previous Breeders Cup Turf (G1) winners in Red Rocks (Ire) and Better Talk Now. Asmussen expects to hear today if a licensing issue involving Midnight Cry Stables, a 20% owner of Curlin, will be cleared in New York. “That race is coming up fabulous,” Asmussen said. “If you’re going to venture overseas, you don’t want to be kidding yourself about how good or bad you are on the turf.”

Curlin’s long-range goal is the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) on October 5 at Longchamp. This year, Curlin won the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAEG1) after a prep race in Dubai. He won the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) on June 14 at Churchill.
—Frank Angst

7/1/08 - Reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin successfully completed the first step in what could be a journey to Paris to run in the famed Gran Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) with a solid work July 1 under jockey Robby Albarado over the Matt Winn Turf Course at Churchill Downs.

Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stable’s 4-year-old son of Smart Strike worked in company with Stonestreet’s Hawaii Calls, a 4-year-old son of Fusaichi Pegasus, and covered seven furlongs around the “dogs” on “firm” turf in 1:31.20. The Steve Asmussen-trained champion started the work about one length behind his workmate, who is a two-time winner in eight career starts, and finished on even terms. Curlin finished well as Churchill Downs clockers recorded his final quarter mile in :24.20 and his final eighth in :12.20. He galloped out one mile in 1:45.60. Hawaii Calls was timed in 1:31.40 for the seven furlongs on turf.

“We were very excited to work him, he’s a tremendous athlete,” Asmussen said. “We were very pleased with how he looked. The main thing is that Robby loved how he felt.”

“He was as fluid as always,” Albarado said. “He’s got a great way of moving and he covers a lot of ground and I felt like this morning was no different. His initial steps on the turf were like he knew where he was the whole time. He’s a horse who’s very smart now and he’s very aware of his surroundings, and this morning he felt great.”

Curlin scored an emphatic 4 ¼-length victory in Churchill Downs’ $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) in his most recent race. It marked his fifth consecutive victory – a string that also includes grade I wins in the $6 million Dubai World Cup, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge, and the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The Stephen Foster victory improved his career record to 9-1-2 in 12 races and pushed his lifetime earnings to $9,396,800 – the third-highest North American total in Thoroughbred racing behind top earners Cigar ($9,999,815) and Skip Away ($9,616,30).

But all of Curlin’s races have been on dirt, which made Tuesday’s work on grass a critical step in realizing the hopes of Stonestreet owner Jess Jackson and Asmussen to give the champion a shot in the Oct. 5 Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, Europe’s top test for older horses. Curlin’s regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas was aboard Hawaii Calls for this work, while Albarado worked the champion for just the second time in the colt’s career.

“The reason I wanted Robby to work him today was for him to feel,” Asmussen said. “I think that Curlin deserves to be prepared for what’s going to happen. Everybody was very pleased with how he handled it. He is blowing off of this move, but seven-eighths in 1:31-and-change around the dogs here is a very good move. I thought that he (galloped) out exceptional, as always. One thing that I really liked about it is when he went on the turf course and jogged off, he kept that presence about him – there was no caution, no worry. He was very confident and very relaxed behind that horse. He paced him well and didn’t get aggressive, like he was unsure of what he was supposed to do. I thought he picked him up very smoothly. When he got to him, head and head, he was a little aggressive again, which is what you expect from him at that stage.”

“I was more nervous working him this morning than I was riding him in the Foster – that’s the honest truth,” Albarado said. “It’s his first time on the turf and it’s an exciting time for all of us.”

Asmussen continues to point Curlin toward a racing debut on turf on July 12 in either the $500,000 Man o’ War Stakes (gr. IT) at 1 3/8 miles at New York’s Belmont Park or the $200,000 Arlington Handicap (gr. IIIT) at 1 ¼ miles at Chicago’s Arlington Park. Concern about licensing of the colt’s minority owners remains a factor in both jurisdictions, so the question of which race will mark Curlin’s turf debut remains unsettled. But, if all goes well in that race, Stonestreet and Asmussen would look to Paris and the rare bid by a top American horse for the Arc.

“The perfect plan for us – for me, for Curlin and for everybody associated with him – is to first establish his level of quality on the turf with his next race and not get ahead of ourselves,” Asmussen said. “We have to see if he can compete at the same level – a nice work is not a graded stake. If he can compete at his level on the turf and we get the race that we expect, we will map out how to win the Arc with him. I think that getting him over there immediately and getting him used to going right (on right-handed turns) would be the biggest obstacle that we face. I think we establish that he’s as good a horse on the turf as he is on the dirt, then we get him over there and get him relaxed, comfortable and confident, and doing right.”

Among the most recent major American dirt stars to make the trip to Paris for the Arc de Triomphe were 1961 Kentucky Derby winner Carry Back, Tom Rolfe, who ran in the 1965 Arc against Sea-Bird, followed by U.S.-trained One For All and Intrepid Hero in later years.

6/23/08 - CURLIN WORKS AT CHURCHILL: TURF NEXT
Curlin (Smart Strike) worked five furlongs in 1:03.80 at Churchill Downs Monday morning and is expected to follow up with a work on the turf next Tuesday, according to trainer Steve Asmussen. He reeled off splits of :13.20, :26.20, :38.80 and :51.20, galloping out six furlongs in 1:17. Trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed that, should the colt show an affinity for the turf, he will look for a race over that surface in mid-July.

6/16//08 - Asmussen to test Curlin on turf for possible Arc bid
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today
One day after Curlin’s emphatic 41⁄4-length win in the $1-million Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen said he will test the reigning Horse of the Year on turf. The surface switch for the Smart Strike colt will be made to judge his ability for grass racing, specifically a potential bid in the prestigious Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) on October 5 CURLIN at Longchamp.

Curlin has won five straight races, including the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) and ’08 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) against the best dirt horses in the world. Curlin has never raced on grass, but trainer Steve Asmussen said testing Curlin on turf has been discussed with majority owner Jess Jackson. “We’ve talked about it since last year, since the Classic and [Jackson] put him back in training,” Asmussen said. Asmussen said Curlin, who has nine wins, one second, and two thirds in 12 career starts, will breeze on the turf course at Churchill Downs and be pointed to a turf race in the United States in July. Among the possibilities are the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and the Arlington Handicap (G3) at Arlington Park, both on July 12.

“If we don’t like how he works on the turf, then we’ll change plans and that will have to be discussed,” Asmussen said. “But right now, we’re going to plan on working him on the turf, with the possibility of running him on the turf the weekend of the 12th.” If Curlin demonstrates an affinity for grass racing, Asmussen said he would likely be shipped to France to train at Chantilly, with the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) Qatar Prix Foy (Fr-G2) on September 14 at Longchamp a possible prep race for the Arc at the same distance.

Asmussen said he would rely on his brother, Cash, a retired jockey who won the 1991 Arc aboard Suave Dancer, to help him prepare Curlin for one of the most important races in the world, which draws middle-distance turf stars from across the globe. “One of the things that gives me a great level of comfort about the Arc is Cash,” Asmussen said. “He gives me all the confidence in the world.”

6/14/08 - Horse of the Year Curlin continues dominance in Stephen Foster G1
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today
—Joe Nevills

Following a successful trip to Dubai, 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin continued his dominance on Saturday at Churchill Downs with a 41⁄4- length win in the $1-million Stephen Foster Handicap (G1). The Smart Strike colt tracked the pace from fourth on the rail until the final turn, where rider Robby Albarado angled Curlin outside. He overtook pacesetter Barcola under a hand ride and steadily powered clear to win the 11⁄8-mile race in 1:49.68 as the 2-to-5 favorite. Albarado said he knew he had the race in hand when he passed the eighth pole.

“I looked up on the Jumbotron and I was way in front. He still amazes me with his routine brilliance,” Albarado said of Curlin, who carried 128 pounds and conceded from ten to 15 pounds to nine challengers. The impost is the most carried in a Grade 1 win since Skip Away carried 128 pounds while winning the 1998 Pimlico Special Handicap (G1). Runner-up Einstein (Brz) closed willingly to edge pacesetter Barcola by a nose.

The victory in the Stephen Foster increased Curlin’s lifetime earnings to $9,396,800, trailing only Skip Away ($9,616,360) and Cigar ($9,999,815) among all-time leading North America- raced earners.

“When you look at what he has done, it just hits you over the head,” trainer Steve Asmussensaid. “That’s incredible.” Though Asmussen and majority owner Jess Jackson did not confirm that Curlin was being pointed to turf races such as the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) in France or the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), they did suggest another overseas trip may be in his future. He won the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29 at Nad al Sheba.

“We first decide how fit he is and how he came out of the race,” Jackson said. “Then he’ll tell us when he’s ready and we’ll decide where we’ll go after that.” “We’re going to sit down and talk about what we’re going to do next,” Asmussen said. “I do expect to breeze him on the turf and weigh out that option.”

Curlin was met at the winner’s circle with a thunderous ovation. Many racing fans in attendance thanked Asmussen and Albarado for bringing the champion to Churchill. “It was amazing,” Albarado said. “Our sport needs these horses to keep our fans excited about horse racing. He’s a superstar and he’s proven it.”

1/22/08 - Horse of the Year Curlin Races On
by Tracy Gantz
Courtesy of the BLOODHORSE

With nearly every category a foregone conclusion, the 37th Eclipse Awards night appeared to hold few, if any, surprises—until Jess Jackson in accepting Horse of the Year for Curlin announced the champion would continue racing in 2008.

To a full house Jan. 21 at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jackson said the Smart Strike colt would run at 4, and he didn’t rule out a 5-year-old season, either.

Despite lucrative offers to stand him at stud, Jackson told the crowd he and his family decided “to give the fans and the industry what we need, marketing a hero and a horse that’s bred to endure and that brings stamina, quality, brilliance, and speed for a mile and a half or two miles.”

Thanking the entire Curlin team and singling out trainer Steve Asmussen and his staff, Jackson also took time to acknowledge the work of the people behind the scenes at the barn.

“This is the thrill of a lifetime for us,” Jackson said. “This is a guy who saw Seabiscuit run in 1939. I’ve seen Swaps, Nashua, Determine, Silky Sullivan, Native Dancer, etc., etc., all through Secretariat, and this is a dream come true.”

Jackson spoke at the culmination of the briskly run evening ably emceed by Kenny Rice that came in 45 minutes early by the time Breeders’ Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) winner Curlin was named the 2007 Horse of the Year. As expected, the colt received the bulk of the first-place votes—249. The filly Rags to Riches came in second with 12 votes, while defending Horse of the Year Invasor received two.

Earlier in the evening, with actress Angie Dickinson presenting, Curlin was honored as the champion 3-year-old male, getting all but four of the first-place votes, 262 votes to Street Sense’s three and Hard Spun’s one. When accepting that trophy, Jackson paid tribute to Curlin’s tough competition.

“This is about a horse,” Jackson said. “He loves to compete, and what he met this year was a group of some of the finest 3-year-olds in the history of racing. I have to take my hat off to Street Sense, Rags to Riches, Hard Spun, who stayed there every time, and, of course, Any Given Saturday.”

Asmussen, grinning widely at the prospect of keeping Curlin around for a while, said the first major goal of 2008 could be the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), with a prep in this country beforehand.

“It’s great that he’s going to be in training,” the trainer said, “but I think he’s a horse that can carry everybody’s expectations and he spoils us with his consistency.”

Curlin’s championship season began with a maiden victory in February and ended with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park. In between, he added the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), Arkansas Derby (gr. II), and Rebel Stakes (gr. III).

1/22/08 - HORSE OF THE YEAR CURLIN TO RACE IN 2008
Courtesy of the TDN

There were few surprises during last night's Eclipse Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, but there was a bit
of welcome news. Making the announcement as he accepted the trophy for the 2007 Horse of the Year, Stonestreet Stables's Jess Jackson revealed that Curlin (Smart Strike) will be back in action this year.

Jackson bought out partners Padua Stables and George Bolton after the colt's smashing success in the
GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park, and now holds an 80-percent interest. The remaining 20 percent, once controlled by Midnight Cry's beleagured partners Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion, is now in the hands of the courts.

Jackson is confident that he will be free to chart a course for his Eclipse champion, but did caution, AThere are provisos: he must be fit and we must work out the ownership issues." He added, "It's very likely that he will race in 2008, because I think those issues can be worked out."
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Curlin, bred by Fares Farm in Kentucky, has skyrocketed in value since being sold to Ken McPeek, agent for Midnight Cry Stable, for just $57,000 as a KEESEP yearling. Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables and
George Bolton bought into the colt for a figure reported to be around $3 million after a 12 3/4-length maiden
victory at Gulfstream Park in February (video), and he wore his game face in just about every one of his next seven starts.

"I have to thank John Moynihan, who put us all together; and the brilliant strategy of Steve Asmussen, and the way he arranged the campaign, has to be noted," Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables said as he accepted the award. "There is so much to say for Steve's whole team--Scott Blasi and the rest, and for the athleticism of Robby Albarado. A great horse needs a great rider and a great trainer, and we were lucky enough to have them."

Curlin cruised though wins in the GIII Rebel S. and GII Arkansas Derby, and was not disgraced when third in the GI Kentucky Derby. Off at 3-1 in the GI Preakness, he stumbled at the start, but was relentless down the lane, catching Derby hero Street Sense in the final jump for his first Grade I victory. His stretch drive in the GI Belmont S. was just as impressive, but Rags to Riches was out to make history, and she outgamed Curlin to take the "Test of the Champion" by a head.

It may have taken the colt some time to recover from beaing beaten by a filly. Curlin was sent off the 9-10 chalk in the GI Haskell Invitational S. two months later, but, after making a tepid bid in the stretch, he flattened out and finished third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Any Given Saturday.

Shaking off his two tough defeats, Curlin demonstrated his determination once again as he battled past fellow Eclipse hero Lawyer Ron to take the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup , and his sophomore finale was a tour de force, as he handled the sloppy track and the best in the nation to take the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in a gallop. Most of those behind him that afternoon have headed off to the breeding shed, but Curlin will be back in action this year.

Jess Jackson said that the decision to bring the colt back, rather than take the quick dividends available for top stallions, was in large part influenced by the fans. "I want to encourage everyone to work together to raise racing to a new level of marketing, of ethics, of sincerity, and to give the fans what they need," he said.
"That's why we decided to race Curlin this year."

1/22/08 - Horse of the Year Curlin main star at Eclipse Awards
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today
Jenny Blandford

Less than a year ago, a talented three-year-old named Curlin debuted with an emphatic 12 3⁄4-length victory in a
seven-furlong maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park on February 3. Monday night, the Smart Strike colt was honored with Thoroughbred racings top honor as the 2007 Horse of the Year at the 37th annual Eclipse Award ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Curlin, who also was named champion threeyear- old male, became the first three-year-old
to garner Horse of the Year since a string of three straight sophomores—Charismatic (1999), Tiznow (2000), and Point Given (‘01)—took home the prestigious award. Curlin also became the fourth straight Breeders’
Cup Classic (G1) winner to be voted Horse of the Year, following Ghostzapper (2004), Saint Liam (’05), and Invasor (Arg) (’06).

Unraced as a juvenile, Curlin followed his debut win by scoring victories at Oaklawn Park in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and Arkansas Derby (G2). His three-race win streak crumbled when he finished third behind Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Curlin turned the tables on that foe by prevailing by a head
after an extended stretch duel in the Preakness Stakes (G1). He subsequently finished second to Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes (G1) for three classic placings in his Triple Crown campaign.

His powerful wins during the fall in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge sealed top honors for Curlin, who has finished on the board in each of his nine career starts.

1/21/08 - Curlin’s meteoric rise to be on display at Eclipse Awards
COURTESY OF THE THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY
By Jeff Lowe
The gold statuette for Horse of the Year is one of 26 awards that will be distributed tonight at the 37th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Curlin is a strong favorite to become the first three-year-old to garner Horse of the Year since Charismatic, Tiznow, and Point Given won racing’s top honor as sophomores in 1999, 2000, and ’01, respectively. Curlin also would be the fourth straight winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) to be voted Horse of the Year, following Ghostzapper in 2004, Saint Liam in ’05, and Invasor (Arg) in ’06.

Eclipse titles as Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male would cap a startling ascension that began less than a year ago when Curlin stormed onto the racing landscape with his debut win at Gulfstream Park on February 3. Victories in the Rebel Stakes (G3), Arkansas Derby (G2), Preakness Stakes (G1), and Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) followed over the next nine months before Curlin put a seal on his unique season with a dominant 41⁄2-length win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1). ...

1/18/08 - Watch for an announcement about CURLIN's future at the ECLIPSE AWARDS, Monday, January 21,2008.

1/18/08 - CURLIN WORKS AGAIN Likely Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) worked five furlongs in 1:04 at
Fair Grounds yesterday. It was the third work for the GI Preakness S. hero since his win in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 27. He turned in a pair of four-furlong breezes at Fair Grounds Jan. 6 and Jan. 12. Stablemate Pyro (Pulpit), the runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, covered the same distance in 1:03.80. Pyro will be pointed toward the GIII Risen Star S. Feb. 9, while Curlin's future has yet to be determined.