Curlin Captures Dubai Cup At Will
Preakness Champ Bests Asiatic Boy, UAE's Only Triple Crown Winner
The UAE threw its best contenders at Curlin in the Dubai World Cup Classic. The Preakness champ shrugged off all, including UAE Triple Crown champion Asiatic Boy.
The United Arab Emirates' only Triple Crown champion, Asiatic Boy, couldn't touch the unnerving talent of America's 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin, in the richest race in the world, the $6 million Dubai World Cup Classic, run on March 29.
Racing Concerns Are Breath-Catching
Trainers hold their breath with all the concerns surrounding the potential hazards that might arise in one race. When they have a horse like Curlin, the breath-holding goes deep, and the hopes go high.
Then the moment comes, and the horse performs like a champion, once again, despite all he must overcome. Curlin is such a horse. And Steve Asmussen is the trainer.
Before the running of the Dubai World Cup Classic, in which Curlin was favored, Asmussen, of course, was concerned about the post position draw, 12th out of 13 entrants. Curlin can run wide, but no one wanted him to have to run 12, or 13 wide around three curves.
That possibility didn't develop, as jockey Robby Albarado guided the Preakness Stakes champ into the fray, then gradually asked him to challenge. A.P. Arrow, in the 13th spot, raced with Curlin in the early going. Well Armed led the field.
Rein-shaking Alone Propels Curlin
In the turn for home, Well Armed still led, but was tiring. Then Albarado did no more than shake the reins to cue Curlin. The brawny chestnut son of Smart Strike took the suggestion seriously, moved into contention along side Well Armed, then bid adios.
Spinning through the first mile in 1:34.80, Curlin ran past Well Armed at the 1/4 pole and easily held off the final challenge of Asiatic Boy, who flew by Well Armed at the 1/16 pole. His margin of victory for the 1-1/4 miles was a commanding 7-3/4 lengths in time of 2:00.15.
Once again, Curlin showed it all. His power and will in the stretch are hard to beat. He fires when asked, and flys with tenacity to the end. His win put the USA back in front of the UAE's Godolphin Racing for most Dubai Cup Classic victories.
Asmussen said his great amount of faith in his trainee was answered. Jockey Albarado said he was just along for the ride. "What a horse...He's not even tired," said the jockey.
Principle owner Jess Jackson was thrilled that his star showed "his class" at the right moment. Curlin is owned jointly by Midnight Cry Stables and Stonestreet Stables. He is out of Sherriff's Deputy by Deputy Minister.
The chestnut was unraced at two, entered the 2007 American Triple Crown races at three, placed third, first, and second, then won the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders' Cup Classic before shipping to Dubai to take on the world.
The world is still catching its breath.
