Big Brown and Curlin Still Not Set
BB Breezes in Aqueduct, Curlin Tests Pro-Ride Surface at Santa Anita
Oct 8, 2008
It's not set yet, but the possibility of Big Brown, who won two of 2008's Triple Crown races, and Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year, saddling to duke it out in the Breeders' Cup Classic is getting closer to reality. Big Brown breezed in Aqueduct on turf October 7, while Curlin got acquainted first hand with the artificial surface called Pro-Ride on October 6 at Santa Anita Park, where the Breeders' Cup World Champsionships will take place the last weekend of October.
BB's breeze was clocked the second fastest of three recorded times Tuesday. In California on Wednesday, Curlin went four furlongs in :52.80, taking his time to test the Pro-Ride surface installed this summer to replace the former Cushion Track topping that wouldn't drain properly.
Curlin's Trip to Horse of the Year
Steve Asmussen has trained the mighty Curlin since before the chestnut hunk launched his three-year-old campaign in 2007 and catapulted to Hoy. In response to questioning about whether or not Curlin's owners had discussed with him the BC Classic possibly being Curlin's last start before retirement, Asmussen heartfully remarked, "Maybe they don't want to watch me openly cry" (Thoroughbred Times.com, "Curlin Breezes at Santa Anita", October 6, 2008).
Curlin, unraced at two, had been under the tutelate of Helen Pitts before going to Asmussen's stable. Winning his preliminary starts in 2007, Curlin came to the Kentucky Derby still green and went third behind Street Sense and Hard Spun, flying very wide at the turn and shooting down the lane like the wind. By Preakness time, rider Robby Albarado had a bridle on Curlin, and the chestnut showed his quick-learner ability as he stalked Street Sense and collared him at the wire. In the Belmont, Curlin rated beautifully again, but fell just short of the gallant filly Rags to Riches in a thrilling stretch to the line.
From there, Curlin learned how to take a race over. He showed tiredness after the Belmont, but quickly regained his lungs and heart and powered to no holds barred victories in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the muddy Breeders' Cup Classic, then went to Dubai in March this season to take on the world. He dominated twice there and returned to America as Thoroughbred king.
Big Brown Stormed In From Florida
As Curlin was being acknowledged as King, Big Brown, handled by Richard Dutrow, Jr., was running through races, including the Florida Derby, like a blow torch clears brush.
In Kentucky, the Derby was all big bay handsome Big Brown, who showed a turn of foot in the final swing reminescent of Curlin himself. Talk of a super horse bubbled across the lips of Thoroughbred enthusiasts.
Big Brown stormed through the Preakenss without an opponent showing willingness to challenge him. He was stirring, more independent than the settled Curlin but demonstrating the same learning curve Curlin had already mastered. Talk accelerated to Triple Crown champion, and to Big Brown and Curlin. Curlin and Big Brown. Who's better? was the question flying through airways almost as fast as the hooves of the two major stars galloped across the tracks, even before the Triple Crown challenge was done.
In the Belmont came disaster. Running erratically, Big Brown was eased by a brave Kent Desormeaux, who swallowed a Triple Crown loss for the second time in his career. Later, it seemed a loose shoe was at the bottom of Big Brown's Belmont failure.
Big Brown won his next time out in the Haskell Invitational. Curlin won, then took a loss on turf. Big Brown swept the Monmouth on turf. Curlin won the Woodward, then the Jockey Club Gold Cup to emerge as the all-time career money leader in Thoroughbred racing.
Bring on the King, Dutrow challenged. If it's the right thing to do, answered the cautious Curlin camp.
Will it be?
