GO CURLIN : Curlin News

3/29/08 - CURLIN CONQUERS THE WORLD!
COURTESY OF THE BLOODHORSE
BY CLAIRE NOVAK

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As 12 horses headed to the post in the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), trainer Steve Asmussen stood in the paddock at Nad Al Sheba racecourse. “I’m just wanting the real Curlin to show up,” he said. Moments later, the Smart Strike colt more than obliged, rolling to a 7 ¾-length win and convincing viewers of one sure thing – right now "the real Curlin" is the best horse in the world.

Curlin never looked anything but a winner as he warmed up in the post parade heading into the March 29 event in Dubai. Even when the horse behind him, A.P. Arrow, broke away from his handler (who, in turn, was thrown from his pony) as the field approached the starting gate, the 2007 Horse of the Year demonstrated his usual professionalism. An overhead view from the cameras in the starting gate showed the 4-year-old runner on full lert, shifting nimbly below jockey Robby Albarado in the moments before the break.

No horse had ever won the World Cup from post position number 12, but the outside hole provided a perfect launching pad for Curlin’s preferred stalking trip. Settling himself in the center of the track and forwardly-placed in fourth behind the frontrunning Well Armed, the colt rated comfortably through the race’s early stages. As Asiatic Boy made his bid heading up the backside, Curlin inched up to third.

The real running began at the head of the stretch, when Albarado allowed the colt to unleash a move on Asiatic Boy, the winner of the 2007 United Arab Emirates Triple Crown, who was battling with Well Armed for second. The colt powered past those two, then was kept to the task by his rider as he drew off to win without fully extending himself. He completed 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 2:00.15.

A.P. Arrow, Great Hunter, Lucky Find, Jalil, Gloria De Campeao, Premium Tap, Sway Yed, Kocab, and Vermilion completed the order of finish. Happy Boy scratched.

“What a horse,” Albarado said while he rode back to the winner’s circle. “He does it all on race day. It’s easy when you ride a great horse like (him). He’s not even tired.”

Following the picture and once Albarado had dismounted, Asmussen had the welfare of his colt in mind as he ordered aside video crews so Curlin could keep moving.

“Come on guys, back up, the horse has to walk,” he said, and assistant trainer Scott Blasi made a rapid exit with exercise rider Carmen Rosas leading from the offside shank. Once the champion runner was on his way back to the barn, Asmussen was able to breathe a little easier.

“We’re very proud of Curlin; it’s a great honor to be involved with a horse like him and I hope we’re in the middle of putting him on top of everybody else,” he said. “He went back into training to show his greatness, and I think he did that today. He's spoiled us with his consistency and brilliance. Pre-race the horse was in great shape and he stepped from the stalls and just spoiled us again.”

Praise has been bountiful for Curlin’s connections, who brought the colt back for a 4-year-old campaign rather than retiring him to stud. Majority owner Jess Jackson was largely responsible for the decision, as his Stonewall Stable controls 80% interest in the colt. A 20% interest in Curlin is also owned by Midnight Cry Stable, the racing entity owned by incarcerated attorneys William J. Gallion and Shirley A. Cunningham Jr.

“I hope this helps Sheikh Mohammed (bin Rashid al Moktoum) promote this race,” Jackson said. “I truly feel that international racing at this racecourse – both on the dirt and turf – defines the champion.”

John Murtagh, the jockey aboard Asiatic Boy, called the winner “a monster” while assuring that his horse “ran a marvelous race and fought and fought to get his second place.”

Aaron Gryder,Well Armed’s pilot, said, “He ran fantastic; he broke well and had horses on him the whole way and never really got a big breather… (but) I saw Curlin on the outside of us, and he’s just a very talented horse.”

Bred in Kentucky by Fares Farm out of the Deputy Minister mare Sherriff’s Deputy, Curlin now owns an 8-1-2 record from 11 career starts. His resume includes victories in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), and the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I).

Success in the Dubai World Cup took the colt's lifetime earnings to $8,807,800, which ranks him third behind Cigar ($9,999,815) and Skip Away ($9,616,360) among all-time North American earners.

Pancho’s Turn in the Spotlight

Among those waiting to greet Curlin as he galloped back triumphantly to the Nad Al Sheba winner’s circle was his nearly white stable pony, Pancho, who had accompanied him in the post parade while steered by exercise rider Carlos Rosas. When Curlin walked out of sight into the enclosure that serves as both a parade ring and winner’s circle and Rosas followed him to see the ceremony, Pancho became distressed.

Toni Hodge, quarantine manager for the Dubai Racing Club, broke with tradition and led Pancho down into the winner’s area, where the stout Quarter Horse bounced on his toes as he caught sight of Curlin.

“He deserves to be here,” Hodge said of Pancho, who has become a favorite with Dubai Racing Club officials during his approximately six-week stay in Dubai with Curlin.

After being festooned with a bright red fringed cooler proclaiming him the winner of the world’s richest race, Curlin made his way out of the crowded enclosure, the intensity of the race still vividly on his face. Yet when he saw Pancho, his ears shot up, and the pair walked out together, sharing in a small way this win that they both had worked so hard to achieve.

4/4/08 - Curlin: An Arabian Knight

READ STORY IN SARATOGA TODAY ONLINE

The power of a great horse to transport our emotions is reflected in this article, a needed diversion from headline news of 4-4-08 NY Times: 81% of poll respondents said they believed "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track"

3/26/08 - Read a thoughtful article, "Curlin chases his own Cigar in Dubai", in Saratoga Today Online. The author wanted to include to following but the allowable word limit had been reached:
The magical sport of racing is filled with endless possibilities and if Curlin wins on Saturday all of us who love horses and the sport of horseracing will feel them all. All of us in the industry owe a tribute to Jess Jackson for his sporting decision, it gives racing a chance at a real hero. It was a brave choice, thank-you for making it.

3/27/08 - Curlin, A. P. Arrow draw outside posts for Dubai World Cup

COURTESY OF THE THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY

Horse of the Year Curlin and Grade 2 winner A. P. Arrow, two of four United States-based horses entered for this year’s $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), drew the outside post positions in the 13-horse field on Wednesday evening in Dubai. Curlin drew post 12 with A. P. Arrow on the far outside in post 13 for the world’s most lucrative Thoroughbred race on Saturday night at Nad al Sheba Racecourse.

Curlin, who will be ridden by regular rider Robby Albarado, already has a victory over the triangular-shaped track that features a long stretch, capturing a 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) handicap race by 2¼ lengths on February 28. “He has a tendency to run better the second time he runs over a course,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “The timing [of that race], about a month between races, also was about perfect for him. “

With the configuration of the racetrack, [Robby] should be able to put himself in good position.” The other two U.S.-based horses in the field, Grade 2 winner Well Armed and Grade 1 winner Great Hunter, drew posts two and five, respectively.

The rest of the field, from the rail out: Sway Yed, Happy Boy, Kocab, Premium Tap, Vermilion, Jalil, Asiatic Boy, Lucky Find, and Gloria de Campeao. The 13 horses entered equal the most in the race’s history. Michael Paulson, owner of A. P. Arrow, said 13 could prove to be his lucky number for the 13th running of the Dubai World Cup. His father, the late Allen Paulson, campaigned the winner of the inaugural Dubai World Cup, Cigar. “We’ll have Curlin in our sights the whole way around,” Paulson said with a laugh about the outside post. “I mean, what better omen could you have? My dad was always a numbers guy and I’m a numbers guy, too. I think he’ll be here in spirit to enjoy this with us.”

3/24/8 - Curlin turns in ‘perfect’ move in preparation for World Cup

COURTESY OF THE THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY

Horse of the Year Curlin turned in a flawless final serious workout on Monday at Nad al Sheba racecourse in preparation for an expected start in the $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAEG1) on Saturday.

Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, dubbed the four-year-old Smart Strike colt’s 800-meter (3.98-furlong) move “perfect.”

Curlin covered the distance in :50.16 under regular exercise rider Carmen “Carlos” Rosas and galloped out 1,000 meters (4.97 furlongs) in 1:06.18 on the main track at Nad al Sheba. “He’s physically ready to do what we are going to ask him to do on Saturday,” Blasi said.

Curlin enters the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) Dubai World Cup off a 21⁄4-length win in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy at the same distance on February 28 at Nad al Sheba.

Curlin won six of nine starts last year and earned the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male. He won the Preakness (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) Stakes and closed his campaign with a convincing 41⁄2-length score in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park. He finished third in the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) in only his fourth career start and was the runner-up in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

3/22/08 - Curlin has opportunity to secure global legacy in World Cup

COURTESY OF THE THOROUGHBRED TIMES TODAY

Trainer Steve Asmussen said there is a simple reason behind the decision to send Horse of the Year Curlin to Dubai for the $6- million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29 at Nad al Sheba racecourse. It most likely would have been easier—and less risky—to have the 2007 Preakness Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) winner stay in North America and run in Grade 1 events to defend his Horse of the Year crown. Asmussen and majority owner Jess Jackson, however, had bigger, more global plans in mind.

“We want this horse’s legacy to be proven on the international stage,” Asmussen said. “That’s why we’re running him in the Dubai World Cup. “To beat up the same horses repeatedly at home was not going to do him justice. We want to leave the horse’s legacy behind for everyone, and we thought coming to Dubai was the best way of doing that.” Curlin will be part of what could be a record-equaling field of 13 for the world’s most lucrative Thoroughbred race. The potential baker’s dozen could include North American Grade 1 winner and last year’s runner-up, Premium Tap, who now races for Saudi Arabian interests under the name Allam; United Arab Emirates Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy; Godolphin’s impressive Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 winner and 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale topper Jalil; two-time Japanese Group 1 winner Vermilion; Grade 1 winner Great Hunter; and Grade 2 winners A. P. Arrow and Well Armed.

A. P. Arrow, Curlin, Great Hunter, and Well Armed will attempt to join Cigar (1996), Silver Charm (’98), Captain Steve (2001), Pleasantly Perfect (’04), Roses in May (’05), and 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg) as United States-based winners of the Dubai World Cup, now in its 13th year.

Asmussen decided to ship Curlin to Dubai in February in order to get his charge best acclimated to Nad al Sheba’s triangular track with a long stretch—a move that could pay substantial dividends. On February 28, the muscular Smart Strike colt showed no signs of rust as he took control with 250 meters remaining and drew away under regular rider Robby Albarado to win the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy— a 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) race at the World Cup distance— by 2 1⁄4 lengths.

3/10/08 -CURLIN MARCHES TOWARD DWC
Courtesy of the TND
Having his final serious prep for the Mar. 29 G1 Dubai World Cup, Curlin (Smart Strike), with regular exercise rider Carmen ACarlos Rosas in the irons, worked six furlongs in 1:13.54, at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse yesterday morning.

Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said the goal was to get the first furlong in :13 and change and the last in :12 and change, noting, "thats exactly what he did". The powerful chestnut, who began the move with an opening eighth of a mile in :13.40, completed his task with a final furlong in :12.19. "That was his major move for the Dubai World Cup, and I couldnt be happier with how he went and the rhythm he is in, explained Blasi. AIt was exactly what we had in mind, and he galloped out strong".

The reigning Horse of the Year was a physically imposing colt during his three-year-old season, and Blasi indicated that the four-year-old has improved since his GI Breeders Cup Classic triumph. AHes just a stronger, more mature horse, he said. "Hes thicker-- and hes put on weight in all the right places. He was a big horse as a three-year-old, but hes a lot bigger now. According to Blasi, Curlin will have one more timed workout before the Dubai World Cup, but it will not be as demanding as Mondays six-furlong drill.

3/10/08 - CURLIN WORKS FOR WORLD CUP
Courtesy of the TND
Curlin (Smart Strike) returned to the work tab yesterday at Nad Al Sheba, 11 days after winning a handicap at the Dubai track in his 2008 debut. The imposing chestnut went 1000 meters in 1:02.6 under exercise rider Carmen "Carlos" Rosas in a workout that assistant trainer Scott Blasi termed "awesome"
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"He was traveling very well and looked great" Blasi addded. "Carlos does such a great job. I told him to go in 1:03 and that's about as close as you can get. You could tell Curlin was very comfortable with where he was at. He had good direction toward the wire, but was well within himself. It was exactly what we wanted."

Working through an early morning fog, Curlin went three furlongs in :37.23 and a half in :49.40. The reigning U.S. Horse of the Year is gearing up for a tilt at the Mar. 29 G1 Dubai World Cup.

2/28/08 - Curlin breezes to victory in Dubai World Cup prep
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today —Steve Bailey

Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male Curlin showed no signs of rust in his 2008 debut as he took control with 250 meters remaining and drew away to win the Jaguar Trophy by 21⁄4 lengths on Thursday
at Nad al Sheba racecourse.

Appearing perfectly comfortable in his first race around the triangular track with the seemingly neverending stretch, the fouryear- old Smart Strike colt performed brilliantly in his prep for the $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29.

Jockey Robby Albarado held a firm grip on Curlin early as he rated just behind Group 3 winner Imperialista through much of the 2,000- meter (9.94-furlong) handicap race at the same distance as the Dubai World Cup.

Pulling even with the pacesetter midway through the stretch, Curlin accelerated just enough to draw away under an easy hand ride and galloped out with ease after crossing the wire.

“He is an amazing athlete and racehorse. It is a real honour to be associated with him and he has shown why tonight,” Albarado said. “I took him wide to help settle him as he was a bit keen and from then \\ I was never concerned.”
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Curlin, the winner of last year’s Preakness Stakes (G1) and runnerup to Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes (G1) for trainer Steve Asmussen, had not raced since capturing last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park.

Curlin won for the seventh time in ten career starts.

2/26/08 - CURLIN TO TOTE 132 POUNDS IN DUBAI H.
Courtesy of the TDN

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) will be saddled with a hefty 60 kilos--the equivalent to 132 pounds--in his return to racing in a Nad al Sheba handicap in Dubai Thursday.

Trainer Steve Asmussen is using the $175,0000 Jaguar Trophy H., the fifth race on the card, as a prep for the Mar. 29 G1 Dubai World Cup. Both races will be contested at 2000 meters, or roughly 1 1/4 miles.

Yesterday morning, Curlin school at the starting gate, which is designed differently from those in North America. Curlin reportedly didn't turn a hair during the process. He walked straight into the gate with no hesitation, stood still, and backed out without incident.

Asmussen, on the phone from New Orleans Monday with HRTV, said that assistant trainer Scott Blasi has reported all systems go for Curlin's 2008 bow. "[Scott] thinks the horse is in excellent shape; he's hydrated really well," said Asmussen, who was slated to make the trip to Dubai yesterday. "He's accepted his surroundings and we're very anxious and excited about Thursday night. We expect good things from him, but we're also keeping in mind that this is just a prep for the World Cup. Hopefully, this will be the first step to a very good year." Curlin's regular jockey Robby Albarado will also make the trip for tomorrow's race. Curlin will face five other rivals.

Nad al Sheba, Dubai JAGUAR TROPHY, $175,000, Hcp, 3yo/up, 2000m
PP HORSE SIRE TRAINER
1 Curlin Smart Strike Asmussen
2 Arqaam (GB) Machiavellian Watson
3 Engrupido (Arg) Potrillon (Arg) de Kock
4 Familiar Territory (GB) Cape Cross (Ire) bin Suroor
5 Imperialista (Brz) Voando Baixo (Brz) bin Suroor
6 Jet Express (SAf) Jet Master (SAf) Al Raihe
All carry 117 pounds, except Curlin at 132.

Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) tuned up for his 2008 debut at Nad Al Sheba yesterday morning, breezing a half in 50.50 under exercise rider Carlos Rosas. Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, was on hand to
supervise the move. "Curlin gets over the ground here really well," Blasi said. AAnd he's anxious to do something.
He did things the right way [yesterday] morning, and I think Steve will be pleased."

The four-year-old was feeling so good as he cooled out after his work that a lip chain was needed to keep him quiet. "AI'm very happy with how he's acting," Blasi said. "I see a lot of similarities with how he has been before his previous races."

Curlin will walk today and gallop up to Thursday' s race. The imposing chestnut colt will prep for the
Mar. 29 G1 Dubai World Cup in a $175,000 handicap test going 2000 meters at Nad Al Sheba.

2/21/08 - Curlin takes first trip around main track at Nad al Sheba
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times Today

Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male Curlin got his first look at the Nad al Sheba racecourse main track on Wednesday as he prepares for a start in the $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29. The four-year-old Smart Strike colt cantered gently around the track with regular exercise ride Carmen Rosas aboard and under the watchful eye of Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. Curlin is scheduled to prep for the world’s richest Thoroughbred race in a $175,000 handicap at 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs)—the same distance as the World Cup—on February 28.

Blasi said that Curlin has settled into his new surroundings well and appears to be ready for competition. “He’s doing fantastic and has a lot of energy,” Blasi said. “The track doesn’t have a lot of turn to it, which Curlin will appreciate as he has a tendency to look to the inside.” Blasi said that he plans to work Curlin just as he would if he had stayed in the United States and has scheduled a light breeze for Sunday or Monday.

“He’s tremendously confident,” he said. “He doesn’t get too hot in the paddock, and he likes to be comfortable with where he is.” Despite impressive victories in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) already on Curlin’s record, Blasi said a win in the Dubai World Cup could be the crowning moment at this point in the colt’s career.

“Dubai is the only place in the world you can run on such an international level against some of the best horses in the world,” he said. “The Dubai World Cup is the richest horse race in the world and it’s a great way to show the horse to the world.”

Although Curlin most likely will be the overwhelming favorite to win the Dubai World Cup, Blasi said he and Asmussen are taking nothing for granted as they will have to face a talented field of challengers, including UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy, who is unbeaten in five career starts at Nad al Sheba. “Mike de Kock is a great trainer and Asiatic Boy is an impressive horse; we know he’s going to be tough to beat,” he said. “But Curlin is a special kind of horse. He was third in the Kentucky Derby [Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)] in only his fourth ever start. We expect him to do big things.”

2/19/08 - CURLIN TOUCHES DOWN IN DUBAI
Courtesy of the TDN

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) arrived in Dubai Sunday evening following a flight from Florida via London. The trip Acould not have gone any better," according to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "My hat's off to whoever orchestrated all this," Blasi said, praising the Janah Management Co. Ltd. of Newmarket, England, which dispatched skilled traveling groom Chris Webster to help tend to Curlin.

The GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero is slated to remain in quarantine for the next 48 hours before beginning his serious work in advance of his intended start in a 2000-meter handicap at Nad Al Sheba Feb. 28. That race will serve as Curlin's prep for the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 29.

"Curlin is pretty smart-- he knows he's here to do something," Blasi said. "He's got quite a bit of pep in his step, so I'll be anxious to get him to the track." Blasi indicated that the strapping chestnut colt would have an official workout sometime early next week. Regular rider Robby Albarado is scheduled to arrive in Dubai Feb. 26, while Asmussen will surface the following day.

No worries as Curlin arrives in Dubai
Courtesy if the Thoroughbredtimes Toay

Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male Curlin appeared to have no problems with his new surroundings after arriving in Dubai on Sunday night. Scott Blasi, an assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said Curlin’s journey to the United Arab Emirates to run in the $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29 could not have gone any better.

The four-year-old Smart Strike colt quickly settled into a spacious stall in the quarantine area of the Nad al Sheba racecourse backstretch and then walked around the barn and received a bath on Monday morning. Curlin will remain in quarantine for 48 hours before a scheduled gallop around the Nad al Sheba main track on Wednesday

Asmussen has said that Curlin will race in a $175,000 event on February 28 at the World Cup distance of 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) as a prep for the world’s richest Thoroughbred race. “Curlin is pretty smart—he knows he’s here to do something,” Blasi said. “He’s got quite a bit of pep in his step, so I’ll be anxious to get him to the track.”

Curlin’s regular exercise rider, Carmen Rosas, also made the trip to Dubai, along with Blasi’s pony, Poncho, who is enjoying his Dubai accommodations near his famous Thoroughbred companion. “Right now, Poncho thinks he’s died and gone to heaven,” Blasi said. “He’s got a stall the size of a paddock.” According to Blasi, Curlin will breeze early next week before the race. Jockey Robby Albarado is due to arrive in Dubai on February 26, and Asmussen is scheduled to arrive the following day

2/3/08 - Horse of the Year Curlin will not race in the United States before he targets the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29 at Nad al Sheba racecourse.
Courtesy of the Thoroughbred Times
by Jeff Lowe

Instead, the four-year-old Smart Strike colt will make one start in Dubai as his prep for the World Cup.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Curlin would leave for Dubai on February 15 and race in a $175,000 event on February 28 at the World Cup distance of 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs).

Jackson and Asmussen had deliberated whether to aim Curlin at the world’s richest race or to major stakes in the United States.

“So long as he’s fit and healthy, it comes down to the fact that Curlin has earned the chance to compete in the Dubai World Cup and has the opportunity to continue to make history as an international champion on March 29,” Jackson said in a press release issued on Sunday night. “This horse’s greatest moments and best efforts may still lie ahead.”

Curlin was crowned as Horse of the Year and champion three-year-old male on January 21, and Jackson announced as he accepted the Eclipse Awards that he would continue racing the colt as a four-year-old. Curlin has put in five recorded workouts since the start of the year. Jackson reiterated on Sunday that he hopes Curlin can provide a boost to the industry.

“I deeply care about improving the state of Thoroughbred racing as well as the horse industry in general,” Jackson said. “We, as owners of Curlin, are trying to do our part to help. Fellow owners and I have joined others in the industry in a broad-based nationwide effort to elevate the industry in a variety of ways, and this campaign is one of the more visible.”

Jackson has been at the forefront of efforts for sale integrity reform over the last three years. In the press release, he also called for a crackdown on pirating of simulcast signals and for establishment of a formal “Major League of Racing.”

“I expect a concerted effort nationwide by horsemen from all states joining together,” Jackson said. “Together we will soon accomplish these and other laudable goals to help the fans and public realize and trust the great sport that is Thoroughbred racing.”