Red Rocks Beats Curlin On Turf
HOY Loses First Grass Contest; 9-Year-old Better Talk Now Third
Jul 17, 2008 BarbaraAnne Helberg
His workouts on turf had gone well for Curlin, but his effort fell short in the first grass start of his winning career. He is lurking third in all-time, all-surface track earnings and is ready to leap to the top of the heap while his connections carefully pick his starts.
Penny Chenery and Lucien Laurin, owner and trainer of Secretariat, respectively, likewise chose the first turf experience for Big Red with aforethought. The Man o' War Stakes turf, named after the first Big Red (a liver-shaded red compared to Secretariat's bright red), became a more famous event after 1973's contest that included the year's Triple Crown winner.
Out of Gate Trouble for Curlin
The inner track at Belmont Park on July 12 for the $500,000 Man o' War Stakes, grade I, was rated firm. As Curlin's jump from the gate was hazardous, he settled farther back than usual in the 1-3/8 miles contest. He slammed the gate as he left it, but righted himself without further difficulty.
The late start, however, made his trip less than perfect, while European champion Red Rocks ran a distant third to the early rapid fractions of Mission Approved and Sudan. The pair raced through the first quarter in 22:69, the half in 47:62, the three quarters mark in 1:11.92, and eight furlongs in 1:35.90.
Red Rocks Takes Control
Racing well off the pace, but some three lengths ahead of favored Curlin, Red Rocks went three wide for running room at the top of the final turn. Mission Approved gased out, and Red Rocks began to gain on Sudan. Taking over the lead at the 1/8 pole, Red Rocks was in command under jockey Javier Castellano.
Curlin gave chase from a four-wide spot, but jockey Robby Albarado couldn't get enough steam from the chestnut for the final run-down. The race ended before the steadily gaining Curlin could catch the flying Red Rocks.
The 5-year-old Irish-bred horse went the distance in 2:12.60, two lengths ahead of Curlin.
Better Talk Now Still Better Than the Rest
Nine-year-old Better Talk Now, winner of the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf at Lone Star Park, proved he's still a gamer with a stellar third place finish after racing to within 1/2 length of Curlin. Jockey Ramon Dominguez said he was pleased with his star's performance, although he may run a little better on softer turf.
Trainer H. Graham Motion praised the connections of Curlin, stating that it is rare for people to take risks in this day and age of Thoroughbred racing. "I admire that they took a shot (at turf)," he said after the race.
Curlin Fine; Red Rocks Staying in U.S
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Curlin came out of the race in his usual good state. His plan had been to point Curlin to the $6,243,600 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (French, group I) on October 5, turf racing's richest contest. Board purse money there would vault Curlin to all-time track money leader.
Albarado wants another turf shot first, and majority owner Jess Jackson said he was disappointed with the Man o' War results, but gratified at the crowd's applause for Curlin.
Red Rocks owner J. Paul Reddam, who also races Barcola and Notional, a 2007 Kentucky Derby contender before a fracture sidelined him, said Red Rocks, the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf champion, will stay in the United States with trainer Mark Hennig. The reddish dark bay is pointed to the Sword Dancer Invitational on August 16.
In 19 starts, Red Rocks has won six times, earning $2,807,821. Sired by Galileo, Red Rocks is out of Pharmicist, by Machiavellian, sire of two Dubai World Cup Classic winners, Almutawakel (GB) 1999, and Street Cry (IRE) 2002.
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