World Cup Try for Curlin March 29
Preakness, Breeders' Cup Champ Looking to Become Thoroughbred Hero
Feb 20, 2008
The richest race in the world, the $6 million Dubai World Cup, awaits the heroics of 2007 Preakness and Breeders' Cup champion Curlin on March 29 in Dubai, at United Arab Emirates' Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. An overwhelming choice for 2007 Horse of the Year (awarded last month), Curlin will likely prep for and run in the Dubai World Cup on foreign soil to attempt to become the next American Thoroughbred hero, following in the large hoofprints of Smarty Jones (2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes), Afleet Alex (2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes), and Barbaro (2006 Kentucky Derby).
Smarty Jones was a whisker away from becoming the first Triple Crown hero since Affirmed (1978). Birdstone overcame Smarty Jones in the final strides of the Belmont Stakes to eclipse that championship to the tears of many. Now the small dark chestnut stands at Three Chimneys Farm and awaits the much anticipated results of the races of his first two-year-old offspring.
In 2005, American Thoroughbred racing fans found Afleet Alex. Favored in the Kentucky Derby, Afleet Alex finished third behind the large and late surge of 50-1 shot Giacomo. But Afleet Alex rallied unbelievably in the Preakness two weeks later.
Falling to his knees as Scat Daddy swerved in front of him, Afleet Alex miraculously recovered his footing and swept past the leader in the stretch to win. Three weeks later, he showed his heart for the game by winning definitively in the 1-1/2 miles Belmont Stakes.
Then came the beautiful Barbaro. Conformed like a champion, unbeaten coming to Churchill Downs for the 2006 Kentucky Derby, the brawny bay blew by his fellows at the second turn like a locomotive spewing down the tracks. He barreled forward in long, unstoppable strides ever more commanding as he found the Churchill wire in 2:01.36, just 2/5 off the speed record of the mighty Secretariat.
Immediately, Triple Crown words flowed from those who had wanted proof of Barbaro's worthiness. But only tragedy followed.
Curlin enters this arena of potential greatness in Dubai. Having finished third in 2007's Kentucky Derby, first in the Preakness, and second by a nose in the Belmont, and won the Breeders' Cup Classic, Curlin's Horse of the Year and Male Champion Three-Year-Old honors were well deserved. The strapping chestnut entered those races in just his first year of competition. He was unraced as a two-year-old.
Now, at four, he competes for the crowning achievement in Dubai, a victory that could raise him to the pedestal of greatness and Thoroughbred hero.
A son of successful sire Smart Strike, Curlin's dam is Sherriff's Deputy by Deputy Minister. He is owned by several stables, and principally by Jess Jackson, and trained by Steve Asmussen, who finished second to Todd Pletcher in 2007 voting for trainer of the year.
Curlin has earned $5,102,800 from a 6 (wins) - 1 (seconds) - 2 (thirds) record in nine starts. He is currently stabled at Fair Grounds.
