Curlin Gets Horseracing Money Title
Horse of the Year Wins Jockey Club Gold Cup
Sep 29, 2008 BarbaraAnne Helberg
Curlin hiked his earnings past Cigar's record of over $9 million won in purses September 27 with his easy 3/4 length win in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. The Smart Strike reigning Horse of the Year made his case for capturing that title for a second consecutive year, as well as becoming one of just nine Thoroughbreds in history to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup in two straight years.
Curlin the Cruiser 11 0f 15
The cruising, crushing Curlin has now won 11 of 15 starts and topped the likes of Skip Away, Fantastic Light, Smarty Jones, and Captain Steve, as well as Cigar, in bankrolling $10,246,800 in purses. Cigar's mark of $9,999,815 was set from 33 starts. In 1996, Cigar won his second straight Horse of the Year honor.
Other Thoroughbreds to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup in consecutive years are Skip Away (1996-'97), Creme Fraiche (1986-'87), Slew o' Gold (1983-'84), Shuvee (1970-'71), Nashua (1955-'56), Dark Secret (1933-'34), and Mad Hatter (1921-'22). Firethorn won the race twice, but in 1935 and again in 1937. Kelso won the event five straight times, (1960-'64).
Robby Albarado and Curlin Take Command
Jockey Robby Albarado had command of his four-year-old star at every stride of the Gold Cup, while Wanderin Boy, (by Seeking the Gold), with Alan Garcia in the stirrups, ran steadily in the lead on the sloppy surface. Curlin drew away in late stretch after catching the seven-year-old, Nick Zito-trained Wanderin Boy from an outside position off the final turn.
The time for the 1-1/4 miles contest was slow, 2:01.93. Merchant Marine, (by Tiznow), went third ridden by Cornelio Velasquez and followed 3-3/4 lengths behind Wanderin Boy.
Curlin's Fifth Dirt Win This Season
Curlin triumphed for the fifth time this season on a dirt surface. He rebounded August 30 in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course after losing on turf to Red Rocks (IRE) in the Man o' War Stakes on the Belmont Park turf course.
The chestnut is out of Sherriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister. He is owned by Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables and trained by Steve Asmussen.
Pletcher Praises Curlin
Reigning Trainer of the Year Todd Pletcher entered two colts against Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. One, A.P. Arrow, by A.P. Indy, ran fourth to Curlin in the March Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Ramon Dominguez rode A.P. Arrow in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
The other Pletcher horse, Ravel, a Fusaichi Pegasus offspring reined by Rafael Bejarano, was an early Triple Crown nominee in 2007 before an injury took him off the track for eight months.
Although Pletcher was upbeat about his own horses, he said he thought it would be "foolish" to expect Curlin not to win the Gold Cup. "...he's been extremely impressive...this year," Pletcher commented.
Other Gold Cup Competitors
Others in the lineup at Belmont Park were Larry Jones-trained Stones River, a Monarchos son with Gabriel Saez in the saddle; Mambo in Seattle, a Kingmambo colt ridden by Edgar Prado; and Angliana, by Giant's Causeway, guided by Rajiv Maragh.
But all were left back in the slop as Curlin convincingly continued his reign.
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