Curlin, Pyro Win Dubai, Derby Prep
HOY Takes Jaguar Trophy at Nad Al Sheba, Asmussen Colt Wins in South
While other contenders prep for the Triple Crown, 2007 HOY Curlin won his Dubai prep, and Kentucky Derby favorite Pyro poured it on in the Louisiana Derby
Horse of the Year in 2007, Curlin made a successful debut on this season on March 8. With jockey Robby Albarado still in the saddle, Curlin scored an easy win in Dubai at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, while major Kentucky Derby contender Pyro won again for Steve Asmussen, taking the Louisiana Derby in impressive fashion. Curlin's race was a prep for the Dubai World Cup Classic scheduled for March 29. Pyro continues to dominate his rivals as he preps for Churchill Downs the first Saturday in May.
Curlin Looks Great in Dubai
Curlin hauled in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy by overtaking Imperialista at the head of the stretch and pouring on the familiar power under a whopping 132 pounds. His rivals carried a skimpy 117 impost. The brawny son of Smart Strike jetted to the wire in 2:00.60, leaving Familiar Territory in second and Jet Express in third place in the 1-1/4 miles challenge. The starting field was just five.
Finishing 2-1/2 lengths in front, Curlin swept through the prep to point himself toward the World Cup without missing a beat from his season-ending racing form of last year. He will be a favorite in the Dubai Classic.
Pyro Proving He's A Kentucky Boy
Pyro took on eight challengers in the Louisiana Derby March 8, cruising to a 3 length win after bursting through an opening at the top of the stretch in the 1-1/16 miles race. Guided by Shaun Bridgmohan, Pyro took the best of My Pal Charlie in the lane and finished in a winning time of 1:44.44. Yankee Bravo, with Alex Solis aboard, got up for third, 1/2 length back .
Triple Crown Trail, 2008
Other favorites on the Triple Crown trail have won preps. Thirteen of the top potential candidates to compete in this season's Triple Crown races include War Pass, the 2007 Male Juvenile Champion, of course, and Pyro, his chief pursuer. War Pass and Pyro established a one-on-one competition last fall as two-year-olds. Here's a quick look at some contenders, some of whom have won, or placed in an early prep:
- Pyro --- Steve Asmussen --- Shaun Bridgmohan --- Won Risen Star Stakes, Fair Grounds, Feb.9 --- Won Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, Mar.8
- Cowboy Cal --- Todd Pletcher --- John Velazquez --- Won Tropical Park Derby, Calder, Jan.1 --- 2nd in Hallendale Beach Stakes, Gulfsteam, Feb.16
- Giant Moon --- Richard Schosberg --- Ramon Dominguez --- Won Count Fleet Stakes, Aqueduct, Jan.5
- Smooth Air --- Bennie Stutts, Jr. --- Manoel Cruz --- Won Hutcheson Stakes, Gulfstream, Jan.5 --- 3rd in Sam F. Davis Stakes, Tampa Bay, Feb.16
In addition, Georgie Boy won the San Vicente Stakes February 10 at Santa Anita, Colonel John scored March 1 in the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, and Cool Coal Man, War Pass's roomie, took the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream on February 24.
Court Vision showed up February 24, as he managed third place to Cool Coal Man's win. Into Mischief went second February 10 in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita, and Visionaire sailed to third February 9 at the Fair Grounds in the Risen Star Stakes.
Asmussen's Z Fortune won the Lecomte Stakes Jan.12 and finished second to stablemate Pyro in the Feb.9 Risen Star Stakes. To date, it seems the stars of fortune are favoring Asmussen. His Curlin will try to bag the richest race in the Thoroughbred world on March 29 in Dubai.
