Curlin Against Big Brown In Breeders' Cup?
Will World Championships Determine Horse of the Year?
Sep 29, 2008
Who will be Horse of the Year? Can Curlin's capture of the all-time career earnings list propel him to a second straight Horse of the Year title? Or can Big Brown win the Breeders' Cup World Championships Classic and usurp his elder?
Is there still a chance that the two kingly Thoroughbreds will meet in the BC Classic?
Jess Jackson Hedges on Matchup
A month ago, Curlin's majority owner, Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables, said Curlin's schedule didn't include a trip to the Breeders' Cup in October. He and trainer Steve Asmussen were set on getting Curlin through a handful of races that would give the striking chestnut a chance to become all-time money earner on the Thoroughbred circuit. His major target was Cigar ($9,999,815) and ten million dollars.
But the Curlin camp song changed slightly when reporters recently tried to strum for a more desirable tune. Jackson indicated Curlin would decide the issue himself. "After he tells us if he's fit and ready," Jackson said during a national teleconference, "we'll consider all options, including the Breeders' Cup."
Other possible races for Curlin the remainder of the year are the Clark Handicap November 28 at Churchill Downs and a dirt Japan Cup facsimile. Jackson said racing twice more is a possibility.
He also said his people weren't avoiding Big Brown. "We'd invite Big Brown to join us in any race we show up in. I'm not trying to avoid Big Brown."
Curlin broke the earnings record last Saturday when he triumphed easily in the Jockey Club Gold Cup for the second straight year and pushed his all-time winnings to $10,246,800.
Dutrow Has Already Challenged Curlin
Big Brown trainer Richard Dutrow, Jr. unabashedly called for Curlin to meet Big Brown anywhere for a matchup after his colt rebounded from an uncharacteristic effortless Belmont Stakes to win the Haskell Invitational on August 2.
Big Brown has since won again, on turf, in the Monmouth Stakes in New Jersey where he beat world competitors Proudinsky (Germany) and Shakis, of Ireland.
Curlin's only bobble this season was in a turf race. Ireland's Red Rocks took his measure in the July 12 Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park. Curlin returned to winning form in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on August 30.
Pro-Ride Surface A Better Run?
Neither Big Brown nor Curlin has raced on the high tech Pro-Ride surface installed at Santa Anita Park to replace Cushion Track that failed to drain after several soaking rainfalls. The Breeders' Cup World Championships are scheduled to begin October 24 at Santa Anita (Arcadia, California).
While Dutrow has voiced little concern over surface changes, Jackson expressed his desire to see if Curlin takes to the Pro-Ride artificial surface before commiting his star to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Match Decision Should Come Soon
Jackson indicated previously that he would make a decision about Curlin's possible appearance in the Breeders' Cup within ten days of the running of his last race, last weekend's Jockey Club Gold Cup (September 27).
The three-year-old Big Brown in two seasons of work has lost one race thus far, the Belmont Stakes, in which he was eased and finished last.
Four-year-old Curlin was unraced at age two and has 15 total starts the last two seasons. He has won 11 times and finished on the board the other four times.
