Pyro, Curlin Win in Louisville
Early Season No.2 Colt and 2007 HOY Score at Churchill Downs
Jun 15, 2008 BarbaraAnne Helberg
Pyro returned to his winning ways with a 1-3/4 length victory in the Northern Dancer Stakes, and 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin remained unbeaten as a four-year-old as he scored in the Stephen Foster Handicap. Both races took place June 14 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Pyro Scores Handily, Bests My Pal Charlie
In a driving stretch run, Pyro ran down My Pal Charlie and took the winner's share of the $190,925 Northern Dancer Stakes last Saturday. The Pulpit colt returned to winning form, getting is first victory since winning going away Mar.8 in the Louisiana Derby.
Regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan said Pyro ran "very relaxed" and was in control all the way. He rated behind the pacesetters, My Pal Charlie and Texas Wildcatter, until the finish of the final turn, then powered away under hand ride urging.
He went the 1-1/16 miles contest in 1:43.53, and put himself in contention for the grade I Haskell Invitational scheduled for Monmouth Park.
Pyro boosted his career earnings to $1,174,063. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Pyro is a product of the Wild Again mare Wild Vision. His dam is a full sister to Wild Wonder, a grade II winner.
Curlin Stays On Track, May Switch to Turf
Like Pyro, Curln, 2007's Horse of the Year, is trained by Steve Asmussen. The trainer said his charge may be pointed next to the Qatar Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe in France, a group I event on turf. Majority owner Jess Jackson would not confirm that possibility, however. Curlin has already traveled to Dubai this season, where he won the World Cup and the trial derby at the end of March.
In the June 14 $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap, a grade I race, Curlin collected the win and boosted his earnings to $9,396,800, third on the all-time money earner list. Remaining slightly ahead of him are Skip Away ($9,616,360) and 16-straight-race win champion Cigar ($9,999,815).
Curlin's128 pound impost was the largest since Skip Away carried the same amount in the 1998 grade I Pimlico Special Handicap. Jockey Robby Albarado noted his mount steadily gained on the race leaders in the Stephen Foster despite carrying high weight, which didn't seem to bother the colt.
The Smart Strike colt followed the rail early on, but responded to Albarado's signal to scoot to the outside to do business in the stretch drive. He went the 1-1/8 miles in 1:49.68, besting Einstein and Barcola.
Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stables also have part ownership in Curlin. His dam is the unraced mare Sherriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister.
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