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NORTH AMERICA’S RICHEST O AKLAWN Big Step Curlin heads to the Derby undefeated after delivering a jaw-dropping performance in the

B Y R O B E RT YAT E S

here’s a Derby out there with trainer In another jaw-dropping performance, “He’s stepped up more than you could ’s name on it. Plenty, 4-5 favorite Curlin overwhelmed eight ever imagine,ne,” said Asmussen, whose best Tin fact. Alphabetically, the list already challengers in the $1-million Arkansas of five starters to date, reads: Arkansas, Borderland, Iowa, Loui- Derby (gr. II) April 14 at Oaklawn Park to Fifty Stars, ran ninth in 2001. “It’s Christ- siana, Louisiana Breeders, Allison, remain unbeaten, and unchallenged, in mas every morning.” West Virginia, Woodlands, and Zia Park. three lifetime starts. On a chilly, overcast day more fitting for 11 The next, and obviously most important, Curlin’n’s whopping 1010 ⁄ ⁄ 22-length margin December, a crowd of 57,937 witnessed a could be Kentucky. of victory was the largest in the race’s 71-- late-season gift that just keeps on giving. Curlin’n’s meteoric ascent to the top of the year history, topping ’s eight- With admitting he was 3-year-old division has Asmussen, and an length masterpiece in 2005, and stamped simply a “good passenger,” Curlin rated all-star collection of owners, on, potential- the chestnut son of as the beautifully just off the pace, effortlessly lyly, the ride of their lives. possible favorite for the May 5 Kentucky collared dangerous-looking front-runner Next stop, . Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Deadly Dealer with his ears pricked “We’ve had some nice horses,” said Less than three months ago, Curlin was approaching the quarter pole, and wid- Asmussen, nearing 3,600 victories in his an unstarted prospect in trainer Helen ened his lead through the stretch, acceler- ultra-successful career. “But nice horses Pitts’ barn at . Now, he’s ating through a final eighth of a mile in a can’t do what he can do.” bidding to become just the seventh unde- sparkling :11.91. Hand-ridden to the wire, 11 Hardly. feated Kentucky Derby winner in history. Curlin completed 1 ⁄ ⁄ 88 miles over a fast

S S O O T T O O H H P P Y Y D D A A O O C C / / Y Y D D A A O O C C F F E E J J Curlin turns Hot Springs into a one-horse town while pulling clear of his foes in the stretch of the Arkansas Derby

2320 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ APRIL 21, 2007 Arkansas Derby (Curlin) Sprint (Bordonaro)

track in 1:50.09.. The push-button performance, Albara- do said, was more polished than Curlin’s 11 55 ⁄ ⁄ 44-length victory in the (gr. III) March 17 at Oaklawn. “In his last start, he looked around and dridrifted a bit,” Albarado said. “Today was a tremendous leap for him. He was straight (in the stretch). He did things profession- ally. He’s getting serious.”” Yet mirroring comments she made the day after the Rebel, Asmussen’s Oaklawn S S O O T T O O assistant, Kristin Crawford, said Curlin H H P P Y Y D D acted as if he hadn’t left his stall.l. A A O O C C “He cooled out the same way,” Crawford / / Y Y D D A A said. “He’s amazing.g.”” O O C C F F Curlin capped a monster afternoon at E E J J Oaklawn for Asmussen, who pocketed Million-dollar lineup: Connections of Arkansas Derby winner Curlin are all smiles four other victories, including the $99,25050 Northern Spur Breeders’ Cup Stakes (with Francisco businessman George Bolton for “It’“It’s a lifetime dream,” Jackson said. “I Takedown) and $95,000 Instant Racing approximately $3 million. saw run in 1939, and this horse Breeders’ Cup (Cream Only). On the advice of trainer Kenny McPeek, runs like , Dr. Fager, Secretar- Curlin may not have broken a sweat, Midnight Cry had originally purchased iat. He just takes off. He’s got extra gears but his teacher still said he was a bundle Curlin for $57,000 at the Sep- and when he kicks in, it looks like he’ss of nerves on the eve of what would be his tember yearling sale. Out of the Deputy sprinting at the finish.” biggest career victory yet. Minister Sherriff’’s Deputy, Curlin All the way to Churchill Downs. “I was wound tight all day,” said Asmus- was bred in Kentucky by Fares Farm. As it turned out for the colt whose victo- 11 sen, 41, who finished the meeting with 36 Cunningham named the Kentucky-bred ries have been by a combined 28 ⁄ ⁄ 22 lengths, victories to claim his first Oaklawn title. colt after his great-grandfather, Charlie wardrobe may have been his biggest ob- “What an opportunity it is training him. Curlin, a slave who fought for the Confed- stacle. Curlin wore Jackson’s gold and bur- YoYou just don’t see the scenario in which eracy in the Civil War. gundy colors in the Rebel, but carried the he can get beat. But the saying is, ‘They’re The blockbuster seven-figure deal bro- dark green and gold of Padua in the Arkan-n- so sure of the outcome, they’ll let you bet kered by John Moynihan, a Lexington sas Derby. A coin flip between Midnight on it.’ Once the gates opened and he went bloodstock agent and Jackson’s adviser, Cry and Bolton will determine which silks by in control, that was the easy part. Until was finalized Feb. 4. “We got lucky,” said Curlin wears in the Kentucky Derby. they open the gates, you’re on edge.”” Moynihan, who received a rousing cheer “That’s the importance of keeping him Storm in May earned $200,000 and a from Curlin’n’s many supporters in the post- around,” Asmussen jokingly said of Cur- trip to Louisville by closing along the rail race press conference. lin. “We’ve got to keep everybody happy to finish second, a half-length ahead of the Transferred to Asmussen, whose win- with the rotation.” lightly raced Deadly Dealer, among trainer ter roots are planted deeply in Arkansas, ’s army of Kentucky Derby Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico, Curlinn FLEET AND FAST hopefuls. was placed on a two-race crash course to How fast is Bordonaro? Fast enough to Delightful Kiss, Going Ballistic, Flying trtry and reach the Kentucky Derby. Mission be entered in a stakes race in California, First Class, Officer Rocket, Slew by Slew, accomplished. yet resting comfortably in a stall in Arkan- and Olympic Chief, a grossly overmatched 11 first-time starter beaten 555 ⁄ ⁄ 44 lengths, com- pleted the order of finish. For You Reppo, trained by Pitts, was scratched the morn- ing of the race with a bruised foot. Curlin became the fourth consecu- tive favorite to win the Arkansas Derbyby,, following in 2004, Afleet Alex in 2005, and last year.r. Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex, both home- grown products, seized two-thirds of the Triple Crown. After a year’s hiatus, Hot Springs, un- expectedly, looks like it has harvested an- other national player. Shortly after Curlin won his career S S O O 33 T T debut by 12 ⁄ ⁄ 44 lengths Feb. 3 at Gulfstream O O H H P P Y Y Park, Midnight Cry Stables (retired Ken- D D A A O O tucky attorneys William Gallion and Shir- C C / / R R E E ley Cunningham Jr.) sold a majority inter- S S N N E E K K est in the colt to California wine mogul L L I I L L Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables, Satish W W and Anne Sanan’s Padua Stables, and San Howard Scarberry’s Silent Pleasure captures the Fifth Season

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ APRIL 21, 2007 2321 UNITED FRONT Five comprise ownership group; Jess Jackson the majority partner

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CURLIN (NO. 4) CATCHES TO WIN THE PREAKNESS BY A HEAD Crafty Curlin BY STEVE HASKIN

A furious late rally by Curlin catches the Derby winner at the wire

RICK SAMUELS horoughbred racing is a sport of contrasting emotions, ranging from Teuphoria to despair and laced with a heavy dose of what might have beens. It often takes a special horse to bring all those emotions to the surface, and after watching the 132nd (gr. I), there is no doubt that Curlin is that kind of horse. Never before has a Thoroughbred crammed so much into the first three-and-a-half months of his racing life, while affecting the lives of so many people. This whirlwind introduction to racing reached a glorious, yet bittersweet, climax when Curlin ended the Triple Crown dreams of Street Sense and his popular connections by dealing the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) an agonizing head defeat in the Preakness before a record crowd of 121,263. Many in attendance and watching on TV were crushed when Street Sense’s apparent victory was snuffed out at the wire by a resurging Curlin, who had been pretty much given up for dead after stumbling at the start, and then feeling the mighty force of Street Sense blow by him at the head of the stretch. But from the wreckage of another shattered

The Derby winner was dealt an agonizing head defeat before 121,263

BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON

Several of Curlin’s owners, from left, Satish and Anne Sanan, Barbara Banke, Cunningham, William Gallion, and Jess Jackson

2976 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 CURLIN

N O M R A H E V A D looks back to see Curlin and jockey Robby Albarado gaining on them in deep stretch

Triple Crown attempt came what many be- unseated his rider, Robby Albarado, who have been a part of him at some point. But lieve to be racing’s next superstar. would come back to ride Curlin to victory. what can you do? It’s hard.” The son of Smart Strike, out of the Dep- Einstein, second choice at 5-2, then ran Watching back home in Louisville was uty Minister mare Sherriff’s Deputy, came loose the rest of the way, suffering a minor Curlin’s former exercise rider Hanne Jor- to with his own built-in fan club, injury when he grabbed his quarter. gensen, who had taken his departure par- consisting of a new team of owners assem- Two races later, Pitts had to watch the ticularly hard. “I cried my eyes out when bled by bloodstock agent John Moynihan, colt she had nurtured through a series they sold him,” she said shortly after the who purchased the colt on their behalf for of physical problems as a 2-year-old and sale. “We babied him for such a long time. a reported $3.5-$3.7 million in early Febru- whom she finally was able to get to the He bucked his shins twice and we tried to 3 ary following his devastating 12 ⁄ 4-length races at 3, become a classic winner for an- get him through it and worked hard with maiden victory at Gulfstream Park. other trainer. him. And then, one big race and he’s gone. Armed with sheer numbers, Team Cur- “I have mixed feelings,” she said after- We felt he was something special before lin, comprised of Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet ward. “I really don’t want to say anything. he even started; we really did. I remember Stables, Satish and Anne Sanan’s Padua Sta- I’m just happy for Steve and Scott (Asmus- working him and coming back and say- bles, George Bolton, and the colt’s original sen’s assistant Scott Blasi). Horses like this ing, ‘I’ve never sat on a horse like this be- owners Shirley Cunningham and William are hard to come by, and I feel honored to fore.’ I understand it’s hard to turn down Gallion of Midnight Cry Stables, erupted that kind of money, and they did keep a in celebration, along with Moynihan and piece of him, so it wasn’t hard for them. trainer Steve Asmussen and his family. But it’s hard for us, because you get so at- But in situations such as this, behind From the wreckage of tached to them.” the celebration there are those left behind. On the track, emotions shifted quickly, As the cheers rang out for Curlin, an- another Triple Crown leaving everyone stunned at the sudden other scene was being played out a short turn of events. When Street Sense charged distance away. Watching the race in the attempt came what by Curlin and then Kentucky Derby run- hospitality tent at the end of the stakes ner-up , opening a clear lead at barn was Curlin’s former trainer Helen the eighth pole, people immediately began Pitts, who had earlier seen her Midnight many believe to be planning their trip to , cer- Cry Stables’ grass star Einstein stumble tain they’d be seeing racing’s first Triple while avoiding a fallen horse in the Dixie racing’s next superstar Crown winner in 29 years. Stakes (gr. IIT). The son of Standing along the rail, Street Sense’s

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 2977 CURLIN CURLIN

After tracking the early pace, Curlin and Street Sense stage a dramatic battle in the stretch all the way to the wire

4 ON THE BACKSTRETCH CURLIN

2 6 7 9 5 1 8

R E D Y N S Y E F R AT THE BREAK F E 1 J

3 POST 1 ON THE TURN POSITIONS 5 1 MINT SLEWLEP FIRST TIME BY 8 2 2 XCHANGER 6 3 CIRCULAR QUAY CURLIN 3 1 5 4 CURLIN 8 5 KING OF THE ROXY 5 2 7 9 2 6 FLYING FIRST CLASS CURLIN 6 7 HARD SPUN

8 STREET SENSE 9 C P WEST

9

7

S O T O H P S L E U M A S DEEP STRETCH K I C 6 R PHOTO FINISH 2 7 6 1 2 6 CURLIN 8 5 7 5 9 CURLIN

9 7 8 1 CURLIN

8 3 3

3 FIRST TURN CURLIN

hotwalker Paul Rutherford, exercise rider Mark Cutler, and groom Jose Herrarte began pumping their fists in the air and jumping up and down in celebrat ion. But, in a heartbeat, the scene changed, as Cur- lin, remarkably, came charging late, cut- ting into Street Sense’s lead with every stride. In a pulsating finish, it was Curlin who managed to stick his head in front. For the Derby winner, certain victory had somehow turned to defeat. Blasi stared at the slow motion replay on the infield screen, still unsure of the result. Then, the number 4 was posted. “He got it!” he shouted. “The number’s up.” Up in the boxes, Asmussen, despite en- couraging words from those around him, refused to move or even look at the tote board until he was told the numbers were posted. For the media, a return visit to Street Sense’s affable trainer Carl Nafzger, owner James B. Tafel, and jockey Calvin Borel was

PREAKNESS BY THE NUMBERS $3.5-$3.7 Million Reported price tag for Curlin following his maiden win Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park $1,602,800 Earnings for Curlin after his Preakness win $1,000,000 Purse of Preakness Stakes 121,263 On-site attendance at the Preakness, a record $57,000 Cost of Curlin as a yearling on day seven at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale 29 Years since the last Triple Crown winner (, 1978) 10 Years since the last photo-finish in the Preakness ( by a head over , who nipped by a head) 3 Number of last four Preakness winners prepping for the classics at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas (Afleet Alex, 2005, and Smarty Jones, 2004)

T D R 1:53.46 A H R E Time of the race, matching the stakes B Albarado shares his classic moment E 2 . 5 M record of 1:53 ⁄ held by with the Pimlico faithful E N N (1996) and Tank’s Prospect (1985) A

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 2981 abruptly canceled, and all thoughts shifted beaming with pride. “Some old kid raised to the Curlin partnership and Asmussen. in Laredo, Texas. Can you believe that?” The 41-year-old trainer had his first said the elder Asmussen, who, with wife, classic winner, coming on the heels of a Marilyn, operates the family-owned El six-month suspension for a medication Primero Training Center in Laredo. “I’m positive, during which time Blasi became so proud of that guy. I couldn’t be any- the trainer of record. thing else. It takes a long time to get here, The emotion in the Asmussen fam- and most don’t, but he got here.” ily ran high following the race. “Oh, my He then hugged his 7-year-old name- gosh, there aren’t any words that can ex- sake and asked him, “You’re proud of your plain the feeling and what it’s like for the dad, right? You ought to be. It didn’t come kids and me,” said Asmussen’s wife, Julie, easy, did it?” who was busy watching their three sons, Steve returned to the barn and imme- Keith, 7; Darren, 6; and Erik, 4. “We’re so diately embraced his father. Reflecting on proud of Steve, and we’re so fortunate. It’s the victory, he said, “It’s beautiful. What just a blessing and we’re very thankful.” could you ever want other than this? Ev- Erik then put things in a more simple erything we have in life is because of rac- perspective. “Mom, I’m 4 and the horse’s ing, and achieving this kind of success is E H number is 4,” he said. “That’s right,” Julie never guaranteed.” O N I P replied. “That is a lucky number.” Asmussen thought back to that after- I L H P Asmussen’s father, Keith, a lso was noon of Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park. He was

Borel meets the press after the defeat; below, Street Sense and trainer Carl Nafzger

I N E T S K I C D I P K S

2982 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 CURLIN

running Leprechaun Racing’s Gunfight in some grass,” Garrison recalled. “He was When the colt finally made his debut 1 the 6 ⁄ 2-furlong Stakes (gr. II), which a big, playful kid who was full of vinegar. and destroyed his field by nearly 13 lengths would be his only starter at the meet. He He just needed time to grow up. He’s got a in 1:22.25 for seven furlongs, it immedi- had recently lost his big Triple Crown hope, great big stride and just doesn’t seem to be ately set the wheels in motion. Watching the Jess Jackson-owned Tiz Wonderful, to under any stress at all when he’s running.” the race on simulcast while at the Ocala an injury and was wondering how he was going to replace a horse of that caliber, one who was undefeated and had already won THE RESULTS the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II). TWELFTH RACE 1± MILES. (1.52§) 132ND RUNNING OF THE PREAKNESS. Grade I. Purse $1,000,000 FOR Asmussen just happened to be stabled THREE-YEAR-OLDS. $10,000 to pass the entry box, $10,000 additional to start, with $1,000,000 Pimlico guaranteed, of which 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 11% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth. in Pitts’ barn that day and was able to see Weight 126 lbs. A replica of the Woodlawn Vase will be presented to the winning owner to remain his or Curlin close up. Everything about the colt MAY 19, 2007 her personal property. Value of Race:$1,000,000 Winner $600,000;second $200,000;third $110,000;fourth $60,000;fifth $30,000. Mutuel Pool $20,392,435.00 impressed him. Exacta Pool $11,499,591.00Superfecta Pool $7,007,668.00 Trifecta Pool $14,699,667.00 Pitts had been given Curlin to train by Last Raced Horse M/Eqt.A.Wt PP St ² ¶ º Str Fin Jockey Odds $1 Cunningham and Gallion after the colt was 5Ü07 ¦¥CD¨ Curlin L 3 126 4 6 6Ç 7§ 6¨ 2Ç 1Ç AlbaradoR J 3.40 picked out by her old boss, Kenny McPeek, 5Ü07 ¦¥CD¦ StreetS ense L f 3 126 8 5 8§ô 8¨ 7Ç 1¦ô 2© Borel CH 1.30 5Ü07 ¦¥CD§ HardS pun L 3 126 7 9 3¦ô 3§ô 1§ 3¦ô 3¦ô PinoM G 4.10 at the Keeneland September yearling sale 28ß07 ¤Aqu§ CP W est L 3 126 9 3 5¨ 4¦ô 3§ô 4ª 4¦õ PradoE S 24.90 for $57,000. McPeek had recently retired 5Ü07 ¦¥CD« CircularQ uay L 3 126 3 7 9 9 9 5Ç 5¨ö VelazquezJ R 6.00 from training to do bloodstock work, at 7ß07 «SA§ King of the Roxy L b 3 126 5 2 4ô 5© 5¦ 6« 6«ô Gomez G K 14.20 least temporarily, turning over the major- 28ß07 ¤Aqu© Mint Slewlep L bf 3 126 1 8 7¦ 6ô 8§ô 7¨ 7¤ô Garcia Alan 40.10 ity of his horses and clients to Pitts. Now, 21ß07 ¤Pim¦ Xchanger L b 3 126 2 1 1ô 1¦ 2Ç 8ª 8©õ Dominguez R A 23.00 28ß07 ¦¥CD¦ Flying First Class L b 3 126 6 4 2¨ 2¨ô 4¦ 9 9 Guidry M 16.60 he was looking to get back into training. OFF AT 6:18 StartGood. Won driving. Track fast. “I politicked very hard to get this horse, TIME :22©, :45¨, 1:09©, 1:34¨, 1:53§ (:22.83, :45.75, 1:09.80, 1:34.68, 1:53.46) but they had already promised him to 4- C URLIN 8.80 3.80 2.80 Helen, and they didn’t want to renege on $2 Mutuel Prices: 8- S TREETS ENSE 3.00 2.40 7- H ARDS PUN 3.00 their word,” McPeek said. $2 EXACTA 4-8 PAID $23.20 $1 SUPERFECTA 4-8-7-9 PAID $340.30 “He was the star of the day at the sale, $2 TRIFECTA 4-8-7 PAID $50.00 but he had a veterinary issue that I felt ul- Ch. c, (Mar), by Smart Strike - Sherriff's Deputy , by . Trainer Asmussen Steven M. Bred by Fares Farm Inc(Ky). timately would be a non-issue. He had an CURLIN stumbled a bit at the start and was unhurried in the early stages while moving to the inside, angled out leaving the OCD lesion removed from his left ankle as first turn, was unhurried while four wide along the backstretch, closed the gap from outside leaving the far turn, circled five a weanling. It wasn’t what I’d call pretty wide to reach contention approaching the quarter pole, lagged slightly behind STREET SENSE in upper stretch, dug in under strong urging nearing the eighth pole then battled back under right hand encouragement to get up in the final stride. when he sold, but I felt if it wasn’t for that STREET SENSE tucked in soon after the start, was rated well off the pace for a half, moved out a bit to launch his run at the he would have gone for $300,000. No one half mile pole, angled back to the rail while gaining on the far turn, swung out approaching the quarter pole, split rivals while liked the ankle and they hemmed and four wide entering the stretch, charged to the front in upper stretch, opened a clear advantage in midstretch, cont inued on the front into deep stretch then yielded to the winner in the closing strides. HARD SPUN broke a bit slowly, was under a firm hold hawed for several days. I offered to take while ranging up in the early stages, advanced five wide into the backstretch, made a strong middle move under a strong hold the horse back and place him with another from outside along the backstretch, opened a clear lead on the far turn, set the pace into upper stretch and weakened under client. I just thought at that price he was pressure through the final eighth. C P WEST raced in the middle of the pack while four wide leaving the first turn, gradually gained while continuing wide along the backstretch, closed the gap from outside on the far turn, angled into the three path a steal.” while just behind the leaders nearing the quarter pole, dropped back a bit in upper stretch and weakened in the final eighth. Cunningham said he and Gallion knew CIRCULAR QUAY trailed six furlongs, angled four wide while gaining slightly at the three-sixteenths pole then closed some right away they had something special. ground with a mild late rally. KING OF THE ROXY was taken in hand while saving ground early, moved out after a half, swung C four wide on the turn and lacked a l ate response. MINT SLEWLEP checked after being bumped off stride at the start, raced well L “We only give Kenny McPeek a modest L . back for six furlongs, swung out in upper stretch and failed to mount a serious rally. XCHANGER broke inward causing O C budget, so we have to do a lot of hard work E crowding at the start, rushed up inside, set the pace along the rail to the far turn and steadily tired thereafter. FLYING FIRST S A CLASSpressed thepace in thetwo pathbetween rivalsto thehalf mile poleand gave way. to find something that’s decent,” Cunning- I B U Owners- Q 1, Stonestreet Stables Padua Stables Bolton George and Midnight Cry Stables; 2, Jim Tafel LLC; 3, Fox Hill Farms Inc; 4, E ham said. “We instructed Kenny to look D LaPenta Robert V; 5, Tabor Michael B and Doreen; 6, Team Valor Stables LLC; 7, Dowell Marshall E; 8, Circle Z Stables Joseph Masone & N A . MarkShuman; 9, JohnstonEllwoodW for a horse that had the look of a mile-and- C I N Trainers- 1, Asmussen Steven M; 2, Nafzger Carl A; 3, Jones J Larry; 4, Zito Nicholas P; 5, Pletcher Todd A; 6, Pletcher Todd A; 7, a-quarter horse. Fortunately, he came up M R O Bailes W Robert; 8, Shuman Mark; 9, Lukas D Wayne F with this one.” G I N C Curlin was then sent to Gail Garrison, A $2Pick Three (12-9-4) Paid $349.20 ; Pick Three Pool $430,670 . R Y $2Pick Four (1/4/6-12-9-4) Paid $440.20 ; Pick Four Pool $1,544,672 . manager of Cunningham’s Hillcrest Farm I L A D $1Pick Six (2/5/8/10-2/4-1-4-6/12-9-4) 6 Correct Paid $789.50 ; Pick Six Pool $417,501 . , 7 near Lexington, who began working on the 0 0 $1Pick Six (2/5/8/10-2/4-1/4/6-12-9-4) 5 Correct Paid $15.20 . 2 T colt’s physical problems. “We brought him H $2Daily Double (9-4) Paid $42.20 ; Daily Double Pool $474,101 . I G R $2 Daily Double (B.E.SUSAN-PREAKNESS 2-4) Paid $34.80 ; Daily Double Pool $586,774 . home for about 60 days and gave him some Y P O rest, then turned him out and let him have C

C L L . O PAST PERFORMANCES C E S A I B Ch. c. 3 (Mar) KEESEP05 $57,000 Life 5 4 0 1 $1,602,800 111 D.Fst 5 4 0 1 $1,602,800 111 U Curlin Q E Sire: Smart Strike (Mr. Prospector) $75,000 Wet(409) 0 0 0 0 $0 - D Own: Stonestreet Stables Padua Stables, Bo Dam:Sherriff's Deputy (Deputy Minister) 2007 5 4 0 1 $1,602,800 111 N Synth 0 0 0 0 $0 - A . Br: Fares Farm Inc (Ky) 2006 0 M 0 0 $0 - Turf(340) 0 0 0 0 $0 - C Tr: Asmussen Steven M(7 0 0 3 .00) 2007:(799 161 .20) I N Bel 0 0 0 0 $0 - Dst(338) 0 0 0 0 $0 - M R O F 111 AlbaradoR J L G 19Ü07=12Pim fst 1± :45¨1:09© 1:34¨1:53§ Preaknes-G1 4 6¤ô 7¦¨ 6«ô 2¦ô 1Ç 126 3.40 105= 05 Curlin126Ç Street Sense126© Hard Spun126¦ô Stumbled brk, 5wide 9 I N 98 L Curlin C 5Ü07=10CD fst 1² :46¦1:11 1:37 2:02 KyDerby-G1 2 13¦§14®ô 8©ô 6¬ö 3¤ AlbaradoR J 126 5.00 88= 09 Street Sense126§õ Hard Spun126ªö 126ô Steady early,5w bid 20 A R 14ß07=11OP fst 1° :47©1:12¨ 1:38 1:50 ArkDerby-G2 103 2 2¦ 3¨ 2¦ô 1¨ô 1¦¥ô AlbaradoR J L122 *.80 91= 17 Curlin122¦¥ô Storm in May122ô Deadly Dealer118ô Effortlssly well clear 9 Y I L 97 L Curlin A 17à07=10OP fst 1 :23§ :47¨ 1:12§1:44¨ Rebel-G3 8 4© 5ªô 4¦õ 1§ô 1ªõ AlbaradoR J 117 2.70 83= 24 117ªõ Officer Rocket119§ô Teuflesberg122¦õ Swept to fore 4-w 9 D , 7 Previously trained by Pitts Helen 2006: ( 210 34 31 25 0.16 ) 0 0 2 3á07= 4GP fst 7f :22¨ :45§ 1:09©1:22¦ Md Sp Wt 38k 101 2 6 1Ç 1§ 1¨ 1¦§ö Bejarano R L122 *2.00 94= 06 Curlin 122¦§ö Winstrella122©ö Marnesia's Big Boy122É Drifted out stretch 8 T H WORKS: Ü14CD 4f fst :51 B 51/54 ß30CD 4f fst :48§ B 11/52 ß23Keeú5f fst 1:00© B 13/18 ß9Keeú4f fst :50© B 45/46 òß2Keeú6f fst 1:12 H 1/4 à26Keeú4f fst :49¦ B 12/26 I G R Y TRAINER: (25 .28 $1.75) (370 .21 $1.66) (1661 .22 $1.67) (771 .22 $1.75) (307 .18 $2.15) P 1-7Days WonLastStart Dirt Routes Stakes O C

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 2983 Breeders’ Sales Co.’s 2-year-old sale was son, Bolton, and Sanan. By 2 a.m. Monday and how sound he was. He had Pitts bring Moynihan, who is Jackson’s bloodstock morning the deal was completed. him to the track that morning, and after manager. Watching from his home in San “They had bigger offers for the whole watching the colt “bucking and squeal- Francisco was Bolton. Both had the same horse, but our pitch was that we let them ing,” he finalized the deal. reaction: “Wow!” stay in,” Bolton said. “Selling him was absolutely never a Bolton then contacted someone at the The only thing left to be done was for thought in our minds, but after his first Ragozin Sheets and found out that Curlin Moynihan to look at Curlin on the race- race we were approached by some 15 3 had run a “5 ⁄ 4,” an extraordinary number track to see how he came out of the race people who were interested in buying him for a first-time starter. with different scenarios,” Cunningham Knowing that offers would immediately said. “We were interested in staying in- start pouring in for the colt, Moynihan drove If Tiz Wonderful volved in the ownership of the horse, and down to Gulfstream to see the horse and hadn’t gotten hurt, I’d be this opportunity gave us the best chance contacted Cunningham and Gallion. The to do that and take on partners we felt we first offer to come in was from Barry Irwin, trying to figure out how could get along with.” president of Team Valor, who offered $1.75 Asmussen feels everything that trans- million, but was “blown out of the water,” as to beat this horse instead pired was meant to be. “It’s ironic, because he put it. Cunningham and Gallion wanted if Tiz Wonderful hadn’t gotten hurt, Jess to stay in for a minority interest, and the day of training him. Jackson wouldn’t have been looking for a after the race, Super Bowl Sunday, Moyni- STEVE ASMUSSEN Derby horse to replace him and I’d be try- han began negotiations, representing Jack- ing to figure out how to beat this horse in-

R E D Y N S Y E R F F E J

After Street Sense got the jump on the field coming out of the turn and into the stretch, Curlin was able to wear him down in the final strides

2984 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 CURLIN stead of training him,” Asmussen said. going to his knees. That would have been Racing in Jackson’s colors, Curlin, bred enough to eliminate most horses, but Cur- in Kentucky by Fares Farm, won the Rebel lin would show he is not like most horses. 1 Stakes (gr. III) by 5 ⁄ 4 lengths. Then, racing Federico Tesio winner Xchanger shot to the 1 in Sanan’s silks, he romped by 10 ⁄ 2 lengths front, with the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Fly- in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II). With only ing First Class giving chase. The pair went three career starts and never having raced at it, quickly opening three lengths on Hard as a 2-year-old, Curlin went into the Ken- Spun in third through an opening quarter tucky Derby trying to do something that in :22.83 and a half in a swift :45.75. hadn’t been done since 1915 and 1882, re- Curlin was able to settle in seventh, spectively. But as Bolton said prior to the about a dozen lengths off the pace, with race, “It’s like he’s a 5-year-old who has Street Sense saving ground in eighth. been doing it forever. He’s like the kid who Down the backstretch, jockey Mario Pino, can read the entire chemistry textbook the racing with cover behind the battling lead- night before a final exam.” ers, eased Hard Spun to the outside, and Despite his lack of experience, Curlin when the colt saw daylight, it put run on struck fear in the hearts of rival horsemen. his mind. In a flash, Hard Spun and Pino N O T “He explodes like it’s nothing,” said Bill S made up four lengths, charging right on G I N Kaplan, trainer of Imawildandcrazyguy. I V by Xchanger and Flying First Class, while L . 1 D 5 “You don’t even know where the bottom A running his third quarter in a testing :23 ⁄ . R A B of this horse is. It’s an amazing thing to R No one could understand what Pino was A watch an animal like this. I’d be tickled B thinking making such a big early move with second, because I can’t beat that Trainer Larry Jones with Hard Spun through such a wicked pace. horse.” Imawildandcrazyguy finished fourth in the Derby. Seth Benzel, New York assistant to Todd Pletcher, who had five Derby start- ers, couldn’t even bring himself to watch the Arkansas Derby. “Curlin is a freak,” he said. “I didn’t even watch his race, because I knew he was going to do what he did and I didn’t want to see it.” Hard Spun’s trainer Larry Jones said, “Six months from now, we could be look- ing at Curlin as a super horse.” As it turned out, Curlin ran a big race to finish third in the Derby. After getting swallowed up by the 20-horse field, Al- barado went for an opening on the inside, but Liquidity came off the rail and closed up the hole, at the same time letting Street Sense through. It was undecided whether to come back in the Preakness or wait for the (gr. I), but that indecision didn’t last very long. “Steve called me at 6:30 the morning after the Derby,” Bolton said. “Usually, when you get a call from the barn at 6:30 in the morning it’s not good news. But Steve said, ‘I can’t believe it. He’s got his ears pricked and he wants to go back and jog. The horse is doing great and I just wanted to let you know it. I think we should go to the Preakness.’ ” So, Curlin was now headed for the sec- ond leg of the Triple Crown and another crack at Street Sense and Hard Spun. “If you’re not going to run a horse like this in the Preakness, what are you waiting on?” Asmussen said. “It’s very important to me that people see who he is.” The Preakness drew a field of nine, with Circular Quay the only other Derby starter I N E T to return. Street Sense was made the over- S K I C whelming 6-5 favorite, with Curlin the D I P K second choice at 3-1 and Hard Spun 4-1. S At the break, Curlin stumbled, nearly A classic combo: trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Robby Albarado

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 2985 CURLIN

As they came to the quarter pole, Hard Spun, as he had done in the Derby, opened up a clear lead and seemed to be cruis- ing along. The -trained C P West attempted to move with him and looked strong around the turn, rolling up right be- hind Hard Spun. But the Withers Stakes (gr. III) runner-up couldn’t stay with him. Then, into the picture came the blue and black silks of Midnight Cry Stables, as Cur- lin came charging up on the outside. Just when it looked as if he would pose a seri- ous threat to Hard Spun, here came Street Sense, who had slipped to the inside and then eased out to launch what looked to be a winning move. After three-quarters in 1:09.80, he rolled right on by Curlin from the inside and took dead aim at Hard Spun. In a matter of a few strides, Street Sense again ran by Hard Spun, who was beginning to feel the effects of the rapid pace and his premature move. 1 The Derby winner was 1 ⁄ 2 lengths in front at the eighth pole after a mile in 1:34.68. This was it. The Preakness was a done deal, and now it was time to start thinking seriously about the Triple Crown. But, just then, the picture changed dra- matically. Curlin, with those huge strides of his, had been stuck on his left lead after failing to negotiate Pimlico’s tight turn. Albarado threw a cross on him, gave him two right-handed cracks of the whip, and then yanked him to the inside to try to get him to switch to his right lead. It worked, as Curlin switched over and began bear- ing down on Street Sense. Thoughts of a Triple Crown sweep began to evaporate with every one of Curlin’s giant strides. Everyone knew it was going to be close. Albarado kept hitting Curlin right-handed and the chestnut stuck his head in front right on the wire. No one could believe what had happened and how quickly and unexpectedly the com- plexion of the race and the Triple Crown had changed. N O “When I saw it was going to be close, I T S G said, ‘Oh, God, please let him get there,’ ” I N I V L . Moynihan said. “It would have been a D A R travesty if he had gotten beat after all that A B R A happened to him.” B Street Sense was gallant in defeat, fin- Curlin’s time of 1:53.46 equals the stakes record held by Tank’s Prospect and Louis Quatorze ishing four lengths ahead of Hard Spun, 1 who was 1 ⁄ 2 lengths ahead of C P West, Nafzger said he was disappointed in out what had happened. who ran a huge race at 24-1, suggesting the outcome, but not in the horse. “It was By the next morning, it had all sunk big things for the future. “This was a heartbreaking,” he said. “Curlin ran a hell in, and thoughts turned to the Belmont, major step forward for the horse,” owner of a race, but we had him, and we never which could bring Curlin, Street Sense, Robert LaPenta said. “We feel li ke we should have let him come back and get and Hard Spun together once again. won the race.” us. I think our horse got to the lead and Asmussen admits that after Curlin, The final time of 1:53.46 equaled the thought he won. But he’s still as good a “there will be no more under the radar fastest Preaknesses ever run, with Curl- horse as he ever was.” for me.” With 210 horses in his care, and 2 in’s final three-sixteenths in about :18 ⁄ 5 After Nafzger went down to the track, picking up where he left off before his among the fastest in Preakness history. and most of the people in the boxes began suspension, Asmussen’s philosophy in Galloping out after the race, Borel said to to clear out, a dazed James Tafel stood racing and in life is, “You’re never beat his close friend Albarado, “You got me. there by himself watching Curlin being unless you quit.” Congratulations.” led into the winner’s circle, trying to figure Curlin was proof of that. b

2986 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 Now, Curlin’s got a hard-fought Preak- ness score over Derby winner Street Sense for owners George Bolton; William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr.’s Midnight Smart Cry Stables; Satish and Anne Sanan’s Padua Stables; and Jess Jackson’s Stone- street Stables. As for Smart Strike, his reputation as a successful stallion was ce- mented years ago, but has now reached a new level. Choice Smart Strike, who has stood his entire career at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Ky., has ranked BY DAVID SCH MITZ among the top 15 stallions by progeny earnings the last five years, and his year- urlin received his share of praise even before his victory in the May 19 end earnings have been as high as $7.4 million. The 15-year-old stallion ranks C fourth among this year’s leading sires and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico. The son of Smart Strike not only was has a career total of 47 stakes winners. “He’s been good statistically all along, unbeaten in three races going into the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! but coming up with the really big horse has taken him longer,” said Farish’s son, Bill. “With Curlin coming along, Smart Brands (gr. I), but managed to finish a solid third in the Churchill Downs classic. Strike is really doing it all.”

D R A N O E L Y N O T Smart Strike, sire of the Preakness winner

2996 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 CURLIN / PEDIGREE

Sam-Son has been instrumental in making Smart Strike

NATIVE DANCER, 1950 , 1942 Bred by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt , 1961 Raced 3 yrs, 22 s, SW, $785,240 GEISHA, 1943 Bred by Happy Hill Farm Raced 1 yr, 4 s, SW, $45,955 838 f, 78 SW, 2.34 AEI RAISE YOU, 1946 CASE ACE, 1934 MR. PROSPECTOR, 1970 Bred by Country Life Farm Bred by Leslie Combs II Raced 3 yrs, 24 s, SW, $37,220 LADY GLORY, 1934 Raced 2 yrs, 14 s, SW, $112,170 , 1952 , 1940 1,178 f, 181 SW, 3.99 AEI GOLD DIGGER, 1962 Bred by Belair Stud, Inc. Bred by Leslie Combs II/Brownell Raced 3 yrs, 30 s, SW, $1,288,565 SEGULA, 1942 Combs Raced 3 yrs, 35 s, SW, $127,255 SMART STRIKE, 1992 SEQUENCE, 1946 COUNT FLEET, 1940 12 f, 7 r, 7 w, 3 SW Bred by Sam-Son Farm Bred by Brownell Combs Raced 2 yrs, 8 s, SW, $337,376 Raced 2 yrs, 17 s, SW, $54,850 MISS DOGWOOD, 1939 517 f, 47 SW, 2.65 AEI CYANE, 1959 TURN-TO, 1951 SMARTEN, 1976 Bred by Mrs. George L. Harrison Bred by Ryehill Farm Raced 2 yrs, 14 s, SW, $176,367 YOUR GAME, 1948 Raced 2 yrs, 27 s, SW, $716,426 SMARTAIRE, 1962 QUIBU, 1948 601 f, 49 SW, 1.71 AEI Bred by Fred W. Hooper CLASSY 'N SMART, 1981 Raced 3 yrs, 35 s, wnr, $13,925 ART TEACHER, 1958 Bred by Sam-Son Farm Raced 1 yr, 9 s, SW $303,222 NODOUBLE, 1965 NOHOLME II, 1956 9 f, 5 r, 5 w, 4 SW Bred by Gene Goff NO CLASS, 1974 Raced 4 yrs, 42 s, SW, $846,749 ALBA-JAY, 1955 Bred by Jack Hood Farms N Raced 3 yrs, 29 s, wnr, $37,543 CLASSY QUILLO, 1969 OUTING CLASS, 1960 I 8 f, 7 r, 7 w, 6 SW Bred by Jack Hood Farms L Raced 2 yrs, 14 s, wnr, $5,040 QUILLOPOLY, 1958 R , 1961 NEARCTIC, 1954 U , 1967 Bred by E. P. Taylor NATALMA, 195 C Bred by E. P. Taylor Raced 2 yrs, 18 s, SW, $580,647 Raced 2 yrs, 5 s, wnr, $6,215 672 f, 105 SW, 2.89 AEI VICTORIA REGINA, 1958 MENETRIER, 1944 DEPUTY MINISTER, 1979 Bred by E. P. Taylor Bred by Centurion Farms Raced 3 yrs, 26 s, SW, $45,480 VICTORIANA, 1952 Raced 3 yrs, 22 s, SW, $696,964 BUNTY'S FLIGHT, 1953 BUNTY LAWLESS, 1935 1,131 f, 87 SW, 2.72 AEI Bred by John Loughry MINT COPY, 1970 Raced 3 yrs, 43 s, SW, $42,300 BROOMFLIGHT, 1947 Bred by Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson Raced 5 yrs, 76 s, wnr, $53,945 SHAKNEY, 1964 JABNEH, 1952 SHERRIFF'S DEPUTY, 1994 7 f, 7 r, 4 w, 1 SW Bred by Louisa D'A Carpenter Bred by Fares Farm Raced 1 yr, 8 s, unpl, $0 GRASS SHACK, 1951 Unraced 5 f, 5 r, 3 w, 1 SW SIR IVOR, 1965 SIR GAYLORD, 1959 BATES MOTEL, 1979 Bred by Mrs. Reynolds W. Bell Bred by Mrs. George F. Getty Raced 2 yrs, 13 s, SW, $560,760 ATTICA, 1953 Raced 2 yrs, 19 s, SW, $851,050 SUNDAY PURCHASE, 1970 T. V. LARK, 1957 579 f, 39 SW, 1.46 AEI BARBARIKA, 1985 Bred by Dr. Robert C. Austin Estate Bred by Dr. Herman Kossow Raced 2 yrs, 16 s, wnr, $13,683 DAME FRITCHIE, 1959 Raced 3 yrs, 16 s, SW, $347,253 WISE EXCHANGE, 1965 PROMISED LAND, 1954 11 f, 9 r, 4 w Bred by Bieber-Jacobs Stable WAR EXCHANGE, 1972 Raced 2 yrs, 27 s, SW, $173,867 COASTAL TRADE, 1951 Bred by Dr. A. E. Verdi Raced 3 yrs, 48 s, SW, $123,073 JUNGLE WAR, 1964 BATTLE JOINED, 1959 10 f, 7 r, 6 w, 2 SW Bred by H. F. Guggenheim Raced 1 yr, 2 s, pl, $1,050 JOTA JOTA, 1954

Smart Strike had every reason to suc- ing 1991 Canadian Horse of the Year and hopes for Smart Strike. “He was from a ceed at stud by virtue of his race record Triple Crown winner Dance Smartly, who great family and had tons of ability,” he and pedigree. He is a grade I-winning son also earned an as the top said. “When he was 3, I thought we were of legendary sire of sires Mr. Prospector 3-year-old of 1991. Classy ’n Smart’s going to win everything.” and was one of several major winners de- two other graded stakes winners, Strike Frostad might have been right the way scending from Ernie Samuel’s foundation Smartly and Full of Wonder, are full broth- Smart Strike handled the competition mare No Class. ers to Smart Strike. at Woodbine during the middle of 1995. The second dam of Smart Strike, No Unlike Dance Smartly, Smart Strike Against several up-and-coming stars, Class produced six stakes winners. Smart proved fragile throughout his career. Un- Smart Strike beat and Mt. Sassa- Strike’s dam, Classy ’n Smart, was one of raced at 2, he started only eight times over fras in one allowance race, and All Firmed them. She was a Canadian classic win- the next two years. Up and Kiridashi in another. Unfortunate- ner and champion, as well as a Canadian “He had huge potential, but got hurt ly, the latter was his last race of the year. Broodmare of the Year for Samuel in the on the racetrack before we could fully see Smart Strike, who was tall and lanky at Sam-Son Farm name. what he could do,” said Samuel’s daughter, 3, returned at 4 “pretty massive and a big, Classy ’n Smart’s success as a brood- Tammy Samuel-Balaz, who took charge strong horse,” according to Frostad. mare goes far beyond Smart Strike. A of the Canadian-based Sam-Son following Smart Strike started the year with an daughter of Smarten, Classy ’n Smart is the the death of her father in 2000. optional claiming score at seven furlongs dam of three other stakes winners, includ- Trainer also had huge in a quick 1:21.20 at Woodbine that got

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 2997 Frostad’s blood pumping. “It turned out to be the best race of his career,” the con- ditioner said. “He beat one of Frank Stro- nach’s top sprinters (Goldminers Gold) pretty impressively.” After just that one start, Frostad felt Smart Strike was ready for graded stakes competition. Sent to Monmouth Park, Smart Strike won the Salvator Mile Handi- cap (gr. III), and then captured the Philip 1 H. Iselin Handicap (gr. I) at 1 ⁄ 16 miles over Eltish, with top filly Serena’s Song finish- ing third. By that time, Smart Strike was a hot item for stud. “We had been watching him all along because of his pedigree, but after he won the Iselin, that stamped him as a top, high-dollar stallion prospect,” Bill Far- ish said. Smart Strike raced just once more be- S O fore suffering a career-ending injury. He T O H finished fourth in the P A T (gr. I), won by defending and subsequent I S N A M Horse of the Year , at Belmont Park L Y R E in mid-September. About two weeks later, H Smart Strike sustained a condylar fracture C to his left foreleg while exercising and was Sherriff’s Deputy, who resides at her owner’s retired. Fares Farm; left, Sherriff’s Deputy’s When it came time to decide where 2007 filly by Smart Strike would stand at stud, Sam-Son near Milton, Ontario, Canada, was never 2-year-old season in 1981 that he was voted really considered. “He deserved to be in Canadian Horse of the Year. He went on to succeed at stud, siring 87 stakes winners. MALE LINE CHART Smart Strike’s stakes winners represent- ing that cross also include multiple grade Polynesian (’45) (’53) I turf winner English Channel, Japan Cup Dan Dirt (Jpn-I) winner Fleetstreet Dancer, Sea-Bird Saratoga grade I winner Shadow Cast, and (’74) Canadian champions , Eye of (’66) Raise a Native the Sphynx, Portcullis, and Gold Strike. Millionaire Tenpins (out of a Deputy Min- (’87) ister mare) and grade III winner High Exclusive Native Kentucky,” said Samuel-Balaz. “There was Strike Zone are some of the others. Affirmed (’78) tremendous interest in him from a number Curlin is the seventh Preakness win- (’69) Mr. Prospector of farms, but we decided on Lane’s End. In ner in the last eight years descending in Afleet all the years he’s been there, we’ve had a male line from Mr. Prospector (see chart Northern Afleet great relationship with them.” at left). The one not tracing to Mr. Prospec- Afleet Alex (’05) Smart Strike, who retired with six wins tor was last year’s winner, , by Fappiano from eight races and earnings of $337,376, A.P. Indy. A son of , A.P. Indy Quiet American (’98) entered stud in 1997 for $30,000. Cigar’s stands at Lane’s End. $75,000 fee was the highest for an incom- Smart Strike, whose average winning (’00) ing stallion. (Cigar proved sterile and failed distance was just short of a mile (7.92 fur- to sire a single offspring.) longs), fits the profile of several of the Mr. Prospector-line stallions represented by (’03) FAMOUS CROSS Gone West Preakness winners this decade. Our Em- Elusive Quality Although Curlin is Smart Strike’s first blem (sire of 2002 winner ), Smarty Jones (’04) “really big horse,” Smart Strike has sired Distorted Humor (sire of 2003 winner a number of “big horses.” And not surpris- Funny Cide), and Elusive Quality (sire of ingly, most were produced from Northern 2004 winner Smarty Jones) were sprinter/ (’01) Our Emblem Dancer-line , thus helping perpetu- milers. Another from the group, Northern War Emblem (’02) ate the pedigree cross of Mr. Prospector- Afleet (sire of 2005 winner Afleet Alex), Smart Strike line stallions bred to Northern Dancer-line won grade II stakes from seven to nine fur- Curlin (’07) mares and vice versa. longs. Tank’s Prospect (’85) Curlin, who bears that cross, is out of The other two sires from the Mr. Pros- Woodman (’91) the Deputy Minister mare Sherriff’s Dep- pector line with Preakness winners this (’95) uty. Sired by Northern Dancer’s son Vice decade, Unbridled (sire of 2000 winner face denotes Preakness winners Regent, Deputy Minister was so good his Red Bullet) and Thunder Gulch (sire of

2998 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 CURLIN / PEDIGREE

RACE RECORD AND FAMILY NOTES CURLIN, chestnut colt, foaled March 25, 2004 $60,000 keesep yrlg). 2004: CURLIN, ch c, by Smart Strike. ($57,000 keesep yrlg). Bred in Kentucky by Fares Farm At 3: Won Preakness S (gr. I), Arkansas Derby (gr. II), Rebel S (gr. III); 3rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). CURLIN’S RACE AND (STAKES) RECORD 2005: Barren. Year Age Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Earned 2006: F, by Medaglia d’Oro. Died 2006. 2007: F, by Saint Liam. 2007 at 3 5 4(3) 0 1(1) $1,602,800 Lifetime 5 4(3) 0 1(1) $1,602,800 Broodmare sire:DEPUTY MINISTER, dkb/br, 1979-2004. Sire of 400 dams of 1,719 foals, 1,229 rnrs (71%), 883 wnrs (51%), 260 2yo wnrs (15%), 1.86 AEI, 1.61 CI; 136 sw. Sire: SMART STRIKE, b, 1992. Raced 2 yrs, 8 sts, 6 wins, $337,376. Won Philip H. Iselin H (gr. 2nd dam: BARBARIKA, b, 1985. Bred by Dr. Herman Kossow (Ky.). Raced 3 yrs in Fr and I), Salvator Mile H (gr. III). NA, 16 sts, 7 wins, $347,253. Won Johnnie Walker Black Classic H (gr. II), Lifetime: 8 crops, 517 foals, 351 rnrs (68%), 262 wnrs (51%), 71 2yo wnrs (14%), 47 sw (9%), 2.65 Budweiser Breeders’ Cup H (gr. III); 3rd Louisville Budweiser Breeders’ Cup H (gr. II). AEI, 2.00 CI, 261 sale yrlgs, avg $74,746, 1.5 TNA. In 2007: 8 sw, 87 2yos, 4 2yo rnrs, 1 2yo wnr, 3 sale yrlgs, avg $34,000. 3rd dam: WAR EXCHANGE, gr, 1972. Bred by Dr. A.E. Verdi (Md.). Raced 3 yrs, 48 sts, 10 wins, $123,073. Won Conniver H; 2nd Heirloom S, Dogwood S, Benjamin Franklin H, 1st dam: Sherriff’s Deputy, b, 1994. Bred by Fares Farm (Ky.). Unraced. Dam of 5 named foals, 5 Geisha H (R); 3rd Betsy Ross H, Marlboro Nursery S. Dam of LUCKY LADY LAUREN rnrs, 3 wnrs, 1 sw. (f, Carnivalay; $307,673, Won Arlington Matron H, gr. III, S, Flirtation S, 1998: Deputy, dkb/br f, by Hadif. Raced 4 yrs, 20 sts, 4 wins, $52,020. Forsythia S, Spring Bonnet S; 2nd Oktoberfest H, Kennard Warfield Jr. Group 1999: Secret Wedge, gr/ro c, by Excellent Secret. Raced 3 yrs, 25 sts, 3 wins, $48,615. Oaks, All Brandy H, S; 3rd Ak-Sar-Ben Oaks, gr. III, 2002: Ms Deep Cover, gr/ro f, by Excellent Secret. Raced 1 yr, 1 st, 0 wins, $2,750. Died 2005. S; producer), Count On Kathy (f, Dancing Count; $66,884, 2nd Flirtation S, Politely S; ($11,000 texaug yrlg). 3rd Trevose S, Miss Delaware S, Caesar’s Wish H, Windfall H; dam of COUNT ON A 2003: Comic Hero, b g, by Wild Zone. Raced 2 yrs, 3 sts, 0 wins, $1,100. ($30,000 keejan yrlg; CHANGE, T. V. COUNTESS). Granddam of Big Deal, Rich N Clever.

2001 winner Point Given), were most suc- Deputy, received a dose of graded stakes- winning 2-year-old filly cessful around two turns. Each won the winning class from his second dam, Bar- and multiple grade I winner Exogenous. 1 1 ⁄ 4-mile Kentucky Derby, with Thunder barika. Bred in Kentucky by Dr. Herman The decision to breed Smart Strike to 1 Gulch also taking the 1 ⁄ 2-mile Belmont Kossow, Barbarika raced for Issam Fares’ Sherriff’s Deputy in 2003 was made with Stakes (gr. I). Fares Farm, which also is the breeder of the intention of creating two viable op- Sam-Son, which increased its share total Curlin. tions. According to Fares Farm general in Smart Strike from 10 to 11 this year, Barbarika’s career was highlighted by manager Shannon White, Smart Strike’s has achieved great success with the stal- a five-race win streak that included an offspring had proved successful at the lion. Soaring Free, , and impressive score over millionaire Fit for a racetrack and/or in the sale ring. The farm Portcullis raced as Sam-Son homebreds, Queen in the 1990 Johnnie Walker Black would decide whether to sell the resultant as did other Smart Strike offspring Shoal Classic Handicap (gr. II) at Gulfstream foal or retain it for racing purposes. Water and Strike Softly. Soaring Free, who Park. Later that year, Barbarika won two Curlin ended up going through the 2005 was a Canadian Horse of the Year, has straight, including the Turfway Park Bud- Keeneland September yearling sale, where been retired from racing with earnings of weiser Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. III) at he was bought for $57,000 by trainer Ken- 1 more than $2 million. Eye of the Sphynx 1 ⁄ 16 miles. She also was stakes-placed that neth McPeek, agent. Eaton Sales consigned currently is a Sam-Son broodmare. Strike year in the Louisville Budweiser Breeders’ him as agent. Softly, a three-time stakes winner last year, Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. Curlin made his first start for Midnight 3 won the May 13 Hendrie Stakes (Can-III) Although Curlin is the sole stakes win- Cry Stables, winning by 12 ⁄ 4 lengths at at Woodbine. ner descending from Barbarika, he is one Gulfstream, after which Bolton, Stones- “Sam-Son has been instrumental in of several tracing from his stakes-winning treet, and Padua bought an interest in the making Smart Strike,” Bill Farish said. third dam, War Exchange. The latter’s colt. Curlin then won the Rebel Stakes (gr. “His early success was due to them.” descendants also include Eclipse Award- III) and Arkansas Derby (gr. II), both at Farish also has a big reason Oaklawn Park. to smile over Smart Strike’s suc- Sheriff’s Deputy produced cess. Shadow Cast, whose big a Saint Liam filly Feb. 7 for win came in the Personal En- Fares Farm. She had been sign Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, bred to Smart Strike this was bred and raced by Farish year, but is not in foal. and is owned by him and his Fares Farm put Sherriff’s father. Shadow Cast produced Deputy’s broodmare career her first offspring, an A.P. Indy on hold last year. “She has filly this year, and is in foal to been bothered by a slab frac- . ture, and we wanted to see Not unexpected ly, Smart how she carried the foal,” Strike’s fee has risen smartly. It White said. “We thought now is $75,000. Ironically, the about giving her a year off, only year it ever dropped was but then Curlin turned up, in 2003, the year Curlin was and we re-evaluated the de- conceived. It had fallen from cision.”

$30,000 to $20,000. D Deputy Minister is also R A N the broodmare sire of 2006 O E FAMILY TIES L Y Belmont Stakes winner N O Curlin, who is the first stakes T and 2002 Belmont winner winner from unraced Sherriff’s Broodmare sire Deputy Minister . b

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ MAY 26, 2007 2999 FIRST RATE Trainer Todd Pletcher gets initial classic win with Tabor/Smith-owned filly

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Wonder Woman

RAGS TO RICHES (LEFT) BEATS CURLIN; FIRST FILLY TO WIN BELMONT IN 102 YEARS JEWELS OF THE TRIPLE CROWN

Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables, George Bolton, and Mid- acing fans didn’t get the Triple Crown winner they’ve night Cry Stables. Pletcher, with Tabor and Smith’s blessings, R been waiting for since 1978, the year Affirmed swept said he very well might run against colts again. the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes Wherever and whenever Street Sense, Curlin, and Rags to (all gr. I). The tough-as-nails colt was the third Triple Crown Riches show up in the same starting gate, will be the race of winner of the 1970s, following in 1973 and Seattle the year. Let’s hope for racing’s benefit that it happens. Slew in 1977. What fans got this year were three incredible horse races TRIPLE CROWN ON THE DECLINE? that ended with three very accomplished and deserving win- Business was down from last year at all three Triple Crown ners, punctuated by the history-making performance of Rags tracks. Belmont Park attracted just 46,870 fans for the Bel- to Riches, the first filly winner of the Belmont since Tanya in mont Stakes, an anemic figure when you consider that Santa 1905. Her heart-pounding Anita Park drew a crowd of stretch run against Preak- 56,810 for the Santa Anita ness winner Curlin will go What fans got this Derby (gr. I). down as one of the greatest This is the second consecu- performances in the 139-year year were three tive year the Triple Crown has history of the Belmont. incredible horse gone without a corporate Street Sense made history, sponsor, following the deci- too, with his victory in the races with three sion by VISA to end its affili- Kentucky Derby Presented by ation in 2005. Last year also Yum! Brands. With that win, accomplished and was the first year telecasts of he became the first Bessemer the three races were split be- Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile deserving winners tween NBC (Derby and Preak- (gr. I) winner to capture the ness) and ABC (Belmont) Derby, ending the 23-year-old “juvenile jinx.” since an entity called Triple Crown Productions was formed Street Sense was denied his chance at the Triple Crown in 1985 to promote the series and package it for television when Curlin nipped him by a head at the wire in the Preak- networks and sponsors. ness. That race provided fans at Pimlico with one of the most Chrysler came on-board as a sponsor in 1986, offering a exciting Preakness finishes in years and gave Curlin a mea- $5-million payoff to a Triple Crown winner and $1 million sure of revenge for what was then his only career loss, which to the horse with the best showing in all three races. The lat- he suffered when third to Street Sense in the Derby. ter bonus was dropped by the time VISA became the Triple When owner James Tafel opted not to run Street Sense Crown’s sponsor in 1996. in the Belmont, he took more than a little heat from the The Breeders’ Cup, working through the National Thor- media and general public for diminishing the importance oughbred Racing Association, has attracted a host of corpo- of America’s oldest and, at 1½ miles, longest classic. Turns rate partners for its World Championships. The NTRA has of- out that by avoiding a rematch with Curlin, Tafel and trainer fered to help sell sponsorships on behalf of the Triple Crown, Carl Nafzger helped convince trainer Todd Pletcher and own- but the Triple Crown host tracks have repeatedly said they ers and Derrick Smith to test Rags to Riches don’t need any assistance. against colts in the Belmont. I beg to differ. If racing can’t find a sponsor for its marquee What the public wants to see now is a contest matching series, it most certainly needs help from someone. b all three of the Triple Crown race winners. Street Sense is Ray Paulick being pointed for the Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. Editor-in-Chief 25. There is no definite plan known for Curlin, who races for [email protected]

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 3321 RAGSRAGS TO TO RICHES RICHES

Rags to Riches (left) is racing’s latest star off her That Girl! thrilling win over Curlin

BY STEVE HASKIN

MIKE CORRADO all it fate. Call it kismet. Whatever title you prefer, Rags to Riches seemed destined to Cgive trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez their first classic winner. Although “Johnny V” has been Pletcher’s first-call rider for years, it took a last- minute decision to run the filly and a madcap jockey scramble to bring them together for the 139th Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Because of their longtime relationship and numerous frustrations and disappointments in the classics, you had the feeling that when their moment did come it would be with great fanfare. But how could that be achieved? Pletcher has never been known to evoke such fervor, espe- cially from the New York fans. Because of his never-ending arsenal of stakes winners, his stoic in the public arena, and his unprecedented domination of New York racing, he would need a special horse to reach into people’s hearts and allow them to see the soul that lies within Team Pletcher’s machine-like organization.

Regally bred Rags to Riches gives trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez their first classic win

R E S S O C L A I D V A D A test of heart and soul: Rags to Riches defeats Curlin by a head after a demanding stretch duel in the Belmont

3324 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 RAGS TO RICHES

E S E N I A L G O C M A D A Sterling Silver: From left, co-owner Michael Tabor, trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey John Velazquez, and co-owner Derrick Smith Rags to Riches was such a horse, and Curlin put Rags to Riches in scalding Rags to Riches, who had stumbled badly when Pletcher provided the final leg of the water down the Belmont stretch, but it was at the start and then raced wide the entire Triple Crown with a much-needed shot in he who got burned. way, took the outside route, while Curlin, the arm by announcing his $1.9-million who had saved ground, split horses inside glamour queen would take on the mighty her with a quick burst of speed. Now, as 1 Curlin and other top colts in the 1 ⁄ 2-mile FILLY WINN ERS OF they honed in on each other, it was time classic, he lit the fuse that would set off TRIPLE CROWN RACES to see which one had the strongest will. a raucous round of fireworks at Belmont It was a classic male vs. female confron- Park June 9. Year Filly Race tation, something you don’t see in most Four days after the decision by Pletcher 2007 Rags to Riches Belmont other sports. and owners Michael Tabor and Derrick 1988 Derby Rags to Riches’ powerful four-wide Smith to run Rags to Riches, there she 1980 Derby move had enabled her to outrun Curlin 1924 Nellie Morris Preakness was, charging down the stretch in the Bel- 1915 Derby and establish a slight advantage turning mont locked in furious combat with the 1915 Rhine Maiden Preakness for home. Curlin fought back, as both brilliant, tough, and determined Curlin, 1906 Preakness horses switched to their right lead on cue. whose meteoric rise to stardom was one 1905 Tanya Belmont Velazquez threw a wide cross on the reins victory away from taking on legendary 1903 Flocarline Preakness to gather the filly, while Robby Albarado proportions. 1867 Ruthless Belmont went to a right-handed whip, causing Curl- The crowd of 46,870, the smallest since in to duck in, away from the filly. When Al- 1996, was on its feet as the feisty filly and barado switched to a series of left-handed the brawny colt looked each other in the Just watching her whips, Curlin came back out and bumped eye, neither budging an inch. One of the Rags to Riches. But the filly, who has been great battles in Triple Crown history was the very first time manhandling humans since she was a on. she breezed, it was obvious baby, was not about to be intimidated by There is a saying attributed to both El- the powerful chestnut. Albarado contin- eanor Roosevelt and Carl Sandburg: “A she was pretty special. ued to hit Curlin left-handed, and again woman is like a tea bag. It’s only when he came out and bumped Rags to Riches, she’s in hot water that you realize how TODD PLETCHER who again shrugged it off. strong she is.” (continued on page 3328)

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 3325 (continued from page 3325) and leaving it all up to her. With sheer Throughout the grandstand, the disci- Velazquez resorted to only a single left- grit, determination, and tenacity, Rags to plined Pletcher machine unraveled in a handed whip, then switched and gave her Riches kept her head advantage to the fin- burst of emotion during the stretch run. one right-handed whip. Her blood was up, ish following a sizzling final quarter-mile Burdened with an 0-for-28 record in Triple and Velazquez realized she needed little in :23.83. Crown races, Pletcher unleashed a flurry encouragement. Although Curlin kept dig- The daughter of A.P. Indy out of Better of eight short jabs into an invisible op- ging in and battling back, Rags to Riches Than Honour, by Deputy Minister, had be- ponent, while urging on his filly: “Come refused to relinquish her head advantage. come the first filly in 102 years to win the on, baby; come on, baby,” he pleaded. As As she eased in slightly and Curlin again Belmont, joining Ruthless, who won the she crossed the finish line, he jumped up, came out into her, the two were leaning all inaugural running in 1867, and Tanya, in flinging his fist in the air, and then kissed over each other as the wire approached. 1905. Rags to Riches’ half-brother, Jazil, his wife Tracy, knocking her hat off. Most horses, especially , would captured the Belmont last year for Pletch- Pletcher’s rush of adrenaline was able to have been intimidated by the contact from er’s former colleague and close fr iend briefly overpower the body aches and fever a bruiser like Curlin, but Rags to Riches Kiaran McLaughlin. Both Pletcher and that had knocked him out for two days. seemed to relish this test of superiority. McLaughlin once worked as assistants to So bad was his flu, he awoke five times Velazquez now was just waving the whip D. Wayne Lukas. the night before the Belmont and had to

N O T S G I N I V L . D A R A B R A B Framed by the tunnel at Belmont Park that leads from the backstretch to the paddock, Rags to Riches heads for a schooling session

3328 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 RAGS TO RICHES

When they came down the stretch, I was out of my seat riding her as hard as anybody.

SETH BENZEL change his T-shirt each time because he was sweating so profusely. His stable crew realized how sick he was when he didn’t show up at the barn Saturday morning. Rags to Riches’ exercise rider, Lauren Robson, watched in a nearby box with Velazquez’ wife, Leona, and her family and Velazquez’ longtime friend and agent, Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero Jr. “There were drinks flying everywhere,” Robson said. “Leona was in tears right away and she put me in tears. It was so great because Todd and Johnny have been together for so long.” Assistant trainer Seth Benzel, who has 90 horses at Saratoga, watched the race on TV at home. “I didn’t stop shaking until 1 o’clock last night,” he said the next morn- ing. “When they came down the stretch, I was out of my seat riding her as hard as

I N anybody.” E T S K Watching at Churchill Downs was assis- I C D I P tant Mike McCarthy, who has been with K Rags to Riches for most of her career, and S Pletcher and his team are able to enjoy that classic feeling in fact was her trainer of record for her first two starts this year while Pletcher was Marjorie, in January 2001. life was over. That was the end of me. Time serving a suspension. “Johnny and Todd came into my life at may help the wounds feel a little better, but “I can’t even put into words what it was the right time and they both helped me it never heals them. It’s been almost seven like watching her,” McCarthy said. “At the deal with my loss,” Cordero said. “I love years since she died, and I still miss her three-eighths pole I kept thinking this is my career, but I lost half of my heart when and I still cry for her. God gave me a great really going to happen. And then at the my wife died. Other than my kids I didn’t career and a great woman, but it was my quarter pole I thought, ‘This is it. This is have anything I wanted anymore. I was kids and Johnny and Todd that kept my what we’ve been working for.’ After it was too old to still be a good athlete and I knew life together.” over there was a feeling of closure. We had I’d never find a woman like her, so, to me, The Pletcher organization has been made history, and Todd finally had his perceived by most to be fueled by nothing classic. That meant a lot to us.” more than wins and dollar signs, but it took Cordero won his share of Triple Crown FILLY PARTICIPANTS IN THE a special filly to show the world that there races during his career, but this one was TRIPLE CROWN SINCE 1950 is a passion and a love for the horse that is extra special. It was Cordero who discov- first and foremost behind its success. ered Velazquez from a videotape of the Year Filly Race Finish The story of the 2007 Belmont actually apprentice rider in action in Puerto Rico. 2007 Ragst oR iches Belmont 1st began with the pop heard round the rac- Cordero brought Velazquez to America 1999 Belmont 7th ing world. When trainer Carl Nafzger and and mentored the young rider, eventually 1999 ThreeR ing Derby 19th owner James Tafel stuck the proverbial 1999 Excellent Meeting Preakness Did not finish taking over Velazquez’ book following 1999 Excellent Meeting Derby 5th pin in the Belmont balloon, withdrawing his retirement as a jockey and as a train- 1996 MyF lag Belmont 3rd Street Sense from the race, it all but de- er, and hooked him up with Pletcher as 1995 Serena’s Song Derby 16th flated the third leg of the Triple Crown. his No. 1 rider. From the time Velazquez 1988 Winning Colors Belmont 6th Without the winner of the Kentucky Derby came to this country, he has looked up to 1988 Winning Colors Preakness 3rd Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), the Bel- Cordero as a father figure. 1988 WinningC olors Derby 1st mont looked to be a mundane affair with Since the union of Cordero, Velazquez, 1984 Life’sM agic Derby 8th Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Curlin tak- 1984 Althea Derby 19th and Pletcher, the three have formed a bond 1982 Cupecoy’s Joy Derby 10th ing on a small group of challengers. that goes far beyond that of agent, jockey, 1980 Genuine Risk Belmont 2nd “I told Mr. Tafel that some people are and trainer. It is about friendship and loy- 1980 Genuine Risk Preakness 2nd going to love us and some people are going alty. Cordero, who also exercises horses 1980 GenuineR isk Derby 1st to hate us,” Nafzger said. “We were going for Pletcher, needed both desperately after 1959 SilverS poon Derby 5th to the Triple Crown, and I didn’t think they the tragic hit-and-run death of his wife, 1954 Riverina Belmont 7th were going to beat this colt. I got cocky, but

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 3329 when Curlin kicked my butt, and he did “Ron came by and said, ‘What are you kick my butt, it changed things. I was so let Velazquez and Pletcher going to do with the filly?’ ” Pletcher said. down after the Preakness.” “I said I really don’t think we’re going Street Sense’s defection left Curlin as the are part of the same family. to run if Street Sense, Curlin, and Hard sole headliner in the Belmont, much to the How can you not ride Spun all run. I thought Street Sense was dismay of racing fans, the New York Rac- going to run at that stage. Ron was able to ing Association, and ABC, which had seen for your family? buy a couple of days, but he was getting its Triple Crown storyline disappear in the pressure to make a commitment, so I told closing jump of the Preakness. Then the GREG FOX him, ‘You’ve got to do what you have to big showdown angle evaporated as well. do, and I can’t you. I don’t want to All that remained was Curlin, racing’s bud- hold you up.’ ” ding superstar whose main competition aboard Rags to Riches, had little hope of Anderson took the mount on Hard looked to be the indefatigable Hard Spun, lining up a mount from Pletcher in the Spun, but when Street Sense was with- the only other combatant from the Derby Belmont, so he signed on to ride Coolmore drawn and Rags to Riches eventually was and Preakness still looking for a fight. Lexington Stakes (gr. II) and Lone Star declared a starter the day before entries When Hard Spun’s trainer, Larry Jones, Derby (gr. III) winner Slew’s Tizzy. were drawn, he went to Jones to survey and owner Rick Porter agreed to replace When Rags to Riches’ regular rider, Gar- the situation, and Jones said he intended jockey Mario Pino, it set wheels in mo- rett Gomez, had a chance to replace Pino for Gomez to ride Hard Spun as ag reed tion in several directions. Velazquez, who on Hard Spun, his agent, Ron Anderson, upon. That opened the door for Cordero had ridden Circular Quay in the Derby asked Pletcher about the filly’s Belmont and Velazquez, but they too had made a and Preakness, and who had never been status. commitment and needed to be released by Slew’s Tizzy’s trainer, Greg Fox. “I wasn’t surprised when they came THE RESULTS to me,” Fox said. “It’s very much a part

1ô MILES. (2.24) 139TH RUNNING OF THE BELMONT. Grade I. Purse $1,000,000 FOR THREE YEAR of racing, and I told them they could ride OLDS. By subscription of $600 each, to accompany the nomination, if made on or before January 21, 2007, the filly and I would make an adjustment. or $6,000, if made on or before March 31, 2007. At any time prior to the closing time of entries, horses may ELEVENTH RACE be nominated to The Belmont Stakes upon payment of a supplementary fee of $100,000 to the New York John Velazquez and Todd Pletcher are part Racing Association, Inc. $10,000 to pass the entry box and $10,000 additional to start. All entrants, Belmont supplemental or otherwise, will be required to pay entry and starting fees. The purse to be divided 60% of the same family as far as I’m concerned. JUNE 9, 2007 to the winner, 20% to second, 11% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth. Colts and Geldings, 126 lbs.; How can you not ride for your family?” Fillies, 121 lbs. The winning owner will be presented with the August Belmont Memorial Cup to be retained for one year as welllas a trophy for permanent possession and trophies to the winning trainer So, Velazquez somehow had found and jockey. Value of Race:$1,000,000 Winner $600,000;second $200,000; third $110,000;fourth $60,000;fifth $30,000. Mutuel Pool $14,293,992.00Exacta his way aboard Rags to Riches. Des- Pool $7,350,521.00Tr ifecta Pool $8,470,648.00Superfecta Pool $3,546,469.00 tiny seemed to be directing Pletcher and Last Raced Horse M/Eqt. A. Wt PP ² ¶ 1 1² Str Fin Jockey Odds $1 Velazquez, who was 0-for-20 in Triple 4Ü07 ¦¥CD¦ Rags to Riches L 3 121 7 6¬ 5¦ 5¦ô 1Ç 1Ç 1Ç Velazquez J R 4.30 19Ü07 ¦§Pim¦ Curlin L 3 126 3 3Ç 4ô 4ô 2Ç 2ª 2ªô AlbaradoR J 1.10 Crown races, to their first classic victory. 5Ü07 ¦¥CD¬ L 3 126 2 5Ç 6« 6¬ 5¤ 3§ô 3ªô SmithM E 6.80 How appropriate it would be to have 19Ü07 ¦§Pim¨ Hard Spun L 3 126 6 4¦ 3ô 3ô 3ô 4¨ô 4©õ GomezG K 4.90 Rags to Riches get the albatross off Pletch- 19Ü07 ¦§Pim© CP W est L 3 126 4 1Ç 1Ç 1Ç 4¦ 5« 5¦ö PradoE S 12.40 er’s back. When Lukas was getting ham- 5Ü07 ¦¥CD© Imawildandcrzyguy L b 3 126 1 7 7 7 7 6¤ 6¦¬ Guidry M 9.30 mered by the media for being 0-for-12 in 12Ü07 ¦¥LS¦ Slew'sT izzy L 3 126 5 2¦ô 2¦ 2ô 6ô 7 7 BejaranoR 18.30 OFF AT 6:29 Start Good For All ButRAGS TO RICHES. Won driving. Track fast. the Kentucky Derby, despite his unprec- TIME :24¨, :50, 1:15¦, 1:40¦, 2:04©, 2:28¨ (:24.74, :50.14, 1:15.32, 1:40.23, 2:04.91, 2:28.74) edented success in other races, it took a 7- R AGST OR ICHES 10.60 4.40 3.20 filly, Winning Colors, to break his losing $2 Mutuel Prices: 3- C URLIN 3.00 2.30 streak. After that, the floodgates opened 2-T I AGO 3.70 $2 EXACTA 7-3 PAID $25.20 $2 TRIFECTA 7-3-2 PAID $131.50 for Lukas. $2 SUPERFECTA 7-3-2-6 PAID $242.50 Pletcher felt Rags to Riches, who was Ch. f, (Feb), byA.P. Indy - Better Than Honour , byDeputy Minister . Trainer Pletcher Todd A. Bred bySkara Glen Stables(Ky). bred in Kentucky by Skara Glen Stables, RAGS TO RICHES stumbled at the start, moved up from outside and was carried out a bit leaving the first turn, settled just was special the minute he laid eyes on her. outside the leaders while six wide along the backstretch, raced in hand while continuing wide to the far turn, launched her bid in “I saw her at the Keeneland September the four path midway on the turn, surged to the front approaching the quarter pole, dug in when challenged again by CURLIN in midstretch, fought gamely while heads apart into deep stretch and prevailed under right hand urging in the final twenty yards. yearling sale and loved her then,” he said. CURLIN was taken in hand soon after the start, settled in good position while saving ground leaving the first turn, came out “She had a great head and a smart eye. slightly between horses entering the backstretch, was rated in good position through the opening mile, saved ground on the far She was very well balanced and athletic- turn, waited patiently behind horses midway on the turn, split rivals to launch his bid nearing the quarter pole, fought heads apart entering the stretch, drifted in under right hand urging at the three-sixteenths pole, fought back bravely to thr eaten the looking, with a great walk. You see all that winner a furlong out then exchanged mild bumps with that rival while yielding grudgingly in the late stages. TIAGO hit the side and then you look down at the pedigree of the gate and broke inward bumping with IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY at the start, was unhurried in the early stages, checked page and you say, ‘Wow!’ We got her in at slightly when CURLIN came out entering the backstretch, raced within striking distance slightly off the rail to the far turn, checked slightly in traffic midway on the turn, came in a bit while rallying at the top o f the stretch then finished willingly while Churchill in early April last year and start- C L no match for the top pair. HARD SPUN raced erratically while fighting his rider and tucking in a bit in the early stages, drifted L . ed breezing her Derby week. Just watch- O out on the first turn, stalked the leaders five wide along the backstretch, continued wide while lodging a mild bid to threaten C E ing her the very first time she breezed, it S approaching the quarter pole then tired through the final quarter of a mile. C P WEST drifted out a bit in the early stages, A I B was obvious she was pretty special.” moved up to gain the early advantage, set the pace well off the rail along the backstretch, set the pace in hand to the turn and U Q E steadily tired thereafter. IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY bumped at the start, trailed for most of the trip while saving ground. D Pletcher, Tabor, and Smith knew what N SLEW'STIZZYpressed thepace fourwideto thefinalturn andgave way. A . they had right from the start from the glow- Owners- C 1, Tabor Michael B and Smith Derrick; 2, Stonestreet Stables Padua Stables Bolton George Midnight Cry Stable; 3, Moss Mr I N M ing reports from David Scanlon, who broke andMrs JeromeS; 4, FoxHillFarmsInc; 5,LaPenta RobertV; 6, PellLewisand Eigner Michael; 7, Joseph LacombeStable Inc R O Trainers- F 1, Pletcher Todd A; 2, Asmussen Steven M; 3, Shirreffs John; 4, Jones J Larry; 5, Zito Nicholas P; 6, Kaplan William A; 7, G the filly at his training center in Ocala, Fla. I N Fox Gregory C A “We used to call her the runway model, R Y I L because she was all legs and absolutely $2Daily Double (7-7) Paid $53.00 ; Daily Double Pool $506,506 . A D , 7 $2Pick Three (4-7-7) Paid $468.00 ; Pick Three Pool $597,732 . 0 gorgeous,” Scanlon said. “But she had her 0 2 $2Pick Four (4-4-7-7) Paid $5,472.00 ; Pick Four Pool $1,708,265 . T H own attitude. She was a dominant female. $2Pick Six (4-2-4-4-7-7) 6 Correct Paid $417,207.00 ; Pick Six Pool $1,312,246 . I G R Y When you walked in the barn, she’d have $2Pick Six (4-2-4-4-7-7) 5 Correct Paid $3,344.00 . P O C her head sticking out, and when you went

3330 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 RAGS TO RICHES

to pet her she’d stomp her feet and start squealing. She had her own regimen and you did things to fit her schedule.” After finishing an excellent fourth in her career debut, in which she broke slowly, dropped back to last, and had to go seven-wide, she was sent to Saratoga, but suffered a setback that required time, and was shipped to Ashford Stud near Ver- sailles, Ky. When Rags to Riches returned late last year, she was ready to conquer the world. But she was still quite a handful, so Pletcher contacted Diane Volz, who has been doing physical therapy on Pletcher’s horses for years, and asked her to order an- other CHI infrasound machine, which she hooked up above Rags to Riches’ stall. “The first time I worked on her she came at me with her mouth wide open,” Volz recalled. “But with the CHI she’s come around and mellowed. The CHI stimulates the alpha waves—or early sleep waves—

O and helps them settle down and relax.” D A R R Rags to Riches broke her maiden at O C E Santa Anita in spectacular fashion by I K six lengths, after which she won the Las M Steve Asmussen, trainer of the runner-up, said the colt was a “throwback” and a “competitor” Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) with an amazing wide run throughout. That was followed one more race to go. “A Belmont victory four or five wide. Down the backstretch, by easy victories in the would certainly pick my head up,” he said C P West still led through dawdling frac- (gr. I) and (gr. I), the latter as he headed to the paddock. tions of :24.74, :50.14, and 1:15.32, while over a sealed muddy track. Any thoughts of victory were dimin- racing three paths off t he rail. Rags to Then came her unscheduled quest for ished at the start when Rags to Riches Riches, sent off at 4-1, was seven wide, with greatness in the Belmont, which drew a stumbled coming out of the gate. “My Curlin, the even-money favorite, tucked in field of seven that also included Santa heart stopped,” Velazquez said. “The on the inside behind C P West and Slew’s Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Tiago; Imawild- first thing I thought of was, hopefully, she Tizzy and directly inside Hard Spun. andcrazyguy, a fast-closing fourth in the doesn’t pull a shoe and get hurt.” After a mile in a lethargic 1:40.23, Gomez Kentucky Derby; and Preakness fourth- made his move on Hard Spun, with Curlin place finisher C P West. still biding his time waiting for an open- Pletcher’s Belmont day wasn’t going ing. Rags to Riches made steady progress very well, as he suffered defeats in t he The reception after the on the far outside and moved up to chal- Stakes with A. P. Arrow; the lenge. Just then, Albarado, with a watch- True North Handicap (gr. II) with Keyed race gave Velazquez ful eye on the filly, shot Curlin through a Entry; the Stakes (gr. IIT) with gap between C P West and Hard Spun and ; and the goose bumps seemed to have beaten Rags to Riches to Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. II) with Deadly the punch. But Rags to Riches also surged Dealer. His fortunes changed with Cotton and charged past Curlin by nearly a half- Blossom’s victory in the Acorn Stakes (gr. She never missed a beat, but was in length. However, the Preakness winner I), but he suffered another defeat when danger of going extremely wide when C P battled back and the race for greatness was English Channel was beaten a head in the West floated Slew’s Tizzy out toward the on. Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT). middle of the track. Velazquez was able to With the crowd cheering wildly, Rags Weak and rubber-legged, Pletcher had move in several paths, but was still some to Riches, in receipt of a five-pound sex

C PAST PERFORMANCES L L . O C E S A I B U Q E D N A . C I N M R O F G I N C A R Y I L A D , 7 0 0 2 T H I G R Y P O C

THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 3331 RAGS TO RICHES

allowance, won by a head in 2:28.74, against,” Pletcher said. “But this reception 1 BELMONT with a game Curlin finishing 5 ⁄ 2 lengths was unbelievable.” Velazquez said it gave ahead of Tiago, who was compromised him goose bumps. FACTS & FIG URES by a severe bumping incident with “That was unreal,” Tabor said. “What Imawildandcrazyguy at the break, the a filly. I have so much confidence in her. I $1,900,000 slow pace, traffic problems, and a dread- always thought she could do it.” Price tag for Rags to Riches at the 2005 ful stay in the pre-race monitoring barn, Trainer Steve Asmussen said he was Keeneland September yearling sale which necessitated his having to be “very proud” of Curlin, calling him a taken outside to graze. throwback. “I can’t say enough about him; $1,000,000 The ovation for Rags to Riches swelled he’s a competitor,” he said. “And she’s a Purse of the Belmont Stakes as Velazquez brought her up the stretch deserving classic winner. To lose one the and saluted the crowd. “As a rule, we’re exact same way we won one, we better $300,000 probably the ones everybody’s rooting learn how to take it.” Stud fee of A.P. Indy, sire of Rags to Riches 46,870 Attendance at this year’s Belmont 24 Winning percentage in graded stakes for the trainer/jockey combo of Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez (125 of 519) 22 Number of fillies to run in the Belmont 19 Years since the last filly won a U.S. classic race (Winning Colors, Kentucky Derby, 1988) 5 The weight break (126 to 121) Rags to Riches received from her male counterparts 3 Number of horses to win a Triple Crown race in 2007; second year in a row there were three different winners 2 Number of Belmont winners out of the mare Better Than Honour (Jazil last year)

So ended one of the most memorable Triple Crowns of all time, concluding with one of the greatest Belmonts ever run. Rags to Riches had won it for the la- dies, beating a rough and tough male at his own game. Pletcher was back at his barn the next morning well before 5 o’clock, taking care of business in his office as a bright and alert Rags to Riches was brought out to graze by her hotwalker, Isabel Escobar. What a difference 24 hours make. The morning before, Pletcher was saying, “I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the day.” As Benzel said, “He’s the ultimate war- rior.” O D A R But on this day, the ultimate warrior was R O C E a courageous chestnut filly who inscribed I K M herself, her trainer, and her jockey into the Velazquez responds to the crowd that heartily cheered for the filly against the boys history books. b

3332 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 16, 2007 HARD ROAD ◀ TIAGO TESTED IN GOODWOOD ■ JACKSON LAWSUIT SETTLED /5385 Hard Spun defeats Street ■ JOE TALAMO AND MICHAEL BAZE /5422 Sense in Kentucky Cup ■ SEPTEMBER SALE WRAP /5428

B l o o d H o r s e N O W . c o m

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I n t e r n a t i o n a l T h o r o u g h b r e d B r e e d i n g a n d R a c i n g O c t o b e r 6 , 2 0 0 7 / N o . 4 0 Fight Club

CURLIN TOPS LAWYER RON IN THE GOLD CUP; 3-YEAR-OLDS SLUG IT OUT WITH THEIR ELDERS AROUND THE COUNTRY B ELMONT P A R K Stress Test

Curlin fights it out in another thrilling stretch battle, wins the over older rival Lawyer Ron

BY STEVE HASKIN

atish Sanan, part owner of Curlin, was at the Pritikins Longevity Center and duel. This time it wasn’t with Street Sense picked a heck of a time to enter a Spa in Aventura, Fla., being put through in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) or Rags to S“heart camp,” as his son Sasha calls an exercise program and special diet to Rags in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). It was it. Heart-related problems run in Sanan’s help change his lifestyle. with the leading older horse in the coun- family, so, instead of being at Belmont Instead of taking a stress test, all Sanan try, Lawyer Ron, who was coming off Park to watch his colt run in the $765,000 had to do Sept. 30 was watch Curlin hook spectacular victories in the grade I Whit- Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (gr. I), he up in yet another heart-pounding stretch ney Handicap and Woodward Stakes at

S O T O H P I N E T S K I C D I P K S Curlin, left, needs nearly every inch of the stretch to wear down Lawyer Ron to win the Jockey Club Gold Cup

5444 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ OCTOBER 6, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com Jockey Club Gold Cup (Curlin)

Saratoga. Oaklawn Park officials had to It was four lengths love every minute of it, as the last two run- back to Political Race Replays at away winners of the Arkansas Derby (gr. Force, who was six BloodHorseNOW.com II) battled the length of the stretch. lengths head of Sun C NORTH AMERICAN GRADED STAKES Sanan’s heart and stress levels were put King. Curlin, bred to quite a test during that pulsating final in Kentucky by Fares Farm, covered the quarter-mile of the Gold Cup when Curlin, distance in 2:01.20, rattling off quarters in 4 3 4 1 under jockey Robby Albarado, tried des- approximately :24 ⁄ 5, :23 ⁄ 5, :23 ⁄ 5, :24 ⁄ 5, 4 perately to get past his stubborn opponent. and :24 ⁄ 5. It wasn’t until the final strides that Curlin “We were in a great position all the was able to wear down Lawyer Ron to win way, right behind Lawyer Ron,” Albarado by a neck. said. “I could see Johnny (Velazquez) The son of Smart Strike, out of the Dep- was having some trouble trying to con- uty Minister mare Sherriff’s Deputy, had tain him. When Johnny made his move, barely finished pulling up when Sanan I just followed him. Curlin loves to be on was on the phone with his son. the outside and run horses down. His race “I think he probably put his foot through in the Haskell was a bit dull, but he had the TV, he was so excited,” Sasha said. run hard in all three Triple Crown races, This extraordinary crop of sophomores and the last two were exceptionally hard is not for the faint-hearted, as evidenced by races. Steve said he was training much the stirring stretch duels in the Tampa Bay more forwardly for this race than he did Derby (gr. III), Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Steve Asmussen will train Curlin over for the Haskell.” Keeneland’s Polytrack for the Breeders’ Cup (gr. I), Preakness, Belmont, Travers Stakes After the race, a beaming Asmussen (gr. I), Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (gr. II), room and told him this was a much better said to Sasha Sanan, “Pretty good horse, Goodwood Handicap (gr. I), and Jockey horse than he was in the Haskell and to huh? I can’t believe I got touched with a Club Gold Cup. If it’s not Curlin involved, ride him with confidence and be patient horse like this.” it’s Street Sense or Hard Spun or Tiago or with him. He had been training with more “It’s a great story,” said George Bolton, , all of whom ran in energy, highlighted by a pair of sharp six- who co-owns Curlin with Sanan’s Padua the Kentucky Derby - Presented by Yum! furlong works over the Oklahoma training Stables, Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables, Brands (gr. I). track at Saratoga. and the Midnight Cry Stable of William It would be an understatement to say Brother Bobby, runner-up to Lawyer Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr. “Here Curlin has had a whirlwind career, as brief Ron in the (gr. II) and is a $57,000 yearling with an OCD (lesion) as it’s been. No one can recall a horse ac- second in the Philip H. Iselin Breeders’ who runs a freakish sprint race in his complishing so much in such a short pe- Cup Handicap (gr. III), set a comfortable debut. We buy him for a bunch of money, riod of time. It’s hard to believe that eight pace of :24.26 and :47.88, with Lawyer he wins the Arkansas Derby and Preak- months ago Curlin hadn’t even made his Ron, a bit keen to go on, sitting right off ness, and now he beats Lawyer Ron in the career debut. his flank. Albarado had Curlin relaxed in Jockey Club Gold Cup.” John Nerud, legendary trainer, owner, fourth, three lengths off the lead. Lawyer Ron lost nothing in defeat and and breeder, said of Curlin, “I’ve never Lawyer Ron challenged for the lead battled hard all the way, despite being seen a horse do what he’s done in such a nearing the quarter pole, as Curlin moved rank early. “I thought he ran great,” train- short period of time without blowing up.” up directly behind him. Lawyer Ron er Todd Pletcher said. “The only thing Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens said be- kicked for home under John Velazquez, we were concerned about happened: He fore the Belmont, “I have never in my life with Curlin, several paths wide, closing never quite settled like he did in Saratoga. seen a horse that’s done what he’s done: in. It looked for a while as if the older horse He was very sharp, and he never gave up. start running and just keep on running. would be able to hold off the challenge of I think there’s still room for improvement. If he keeps it up, he’s not one in a million; his younger foe. But Albarado then steered Hopefully, 27 days from now, he’ll run just he’s one in a jillion.” Curlin in toward Lawyer Ron, so he could a little bit better than he ran today.” Well, Curlin has kept it up, and now you look his opponent in the eye, and that’s Asmussen said Curlin will fly to Ken- can add a victory over older horses to his when Curlin finally gave that final thrust tucky and train for the Breeders’ Cup Clas- already remarkable resumé. that propelled him to a neck victory. sic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) over Keene- The 10-furlong Gold Cup drew a field of seven. Among those opposing Curlin and Lawyer Ron were the Jerkens-trained Political Force, winner of the Suburban Handicap (gr. I), and the Nick Zito-trained ‘Win and You’re In’ Sun King. Breeders’ Cup Curlin had returned from a two-month layoff following his gut-wrencher in the Belmont against Rags to Riches and fin- RACE WINNER DIVISION ished an uninspiring third in the Aug. 5 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes Curlin Classic Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) be- hind Any Given Saturday and Hard Spun. Stakes Unbridled Belle Distaff Trainer Steve Asmussen gave him another Joe Hirsch English Channel Turf two months off and pointed him for the Gold Cup. Vosburgh Stakes Fabulous Strike Sprint Earlier in the day, Asmussen met in the Goodwood Stakes Tiago Classic tunnel with Albarado outside the jockeys’

BloodH orseN O W.com THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ OCTOBER 6, 2007 5445 B ELMONT P A R K Invitational (Lahudood) (Trippi’s Storm)

The homebred daughter of Singspiel, out of the mare Rahayeb, was ridden to perfection by Alan Garcia, who saved ground in third and then burst through an opening along the inside to outrun Rosin- ka, who was coming off four straight wins, and the 4-5 favorite Wait a While. Also in the beaten field were grade I winners Royal Highness, Alexander Tango, and My Ty- phoon. The $600,000 race marked Garcia’s first career grade I victory. “I was down inside, and was watching the favorite the whole time,” Garcia said. “I knew Garrett (Gomez on Wait a While) had some horse. Around the turn, I just tried to be patient. In the stretch, there was some room to go inside, so I sent her

S through, and she really responded.” O T O H P AFTER MARKET TRIPPED UP E S E N I A L The record will show that E. Paul Rob- G O C sham Stables’ homebred Trippi’s Storm M A D won the Kelso Handicap (gr. IIT) Sept. 29, A Lahudood and jockey Alan Garcia win the Flower Bowl but it was the 6-5 favorite, After Market, who received most of the accolades after land’s Polytrack surface. the better of the two following her impres- his impressive second-place finish, in “I think he is an outstanding horse, and sive victory in the New York Stakes (gr. which he had to circle the field five-wide he proved so once again today,” Asmus- IIT) at Belmont Park. But Shadwell owner at the head of the stretch, and then closed sen said. “We’ll all meet again in a month’s Sheikh Hamdan, who bred both fillies, relentlessly to get beaten a half-length in a time, probably to decide a lot of honors.” knew better. sharp 1:32.36 for the mile. “Sheikh Hamdan kept telling me that After Market’s powerful performance HOWDY ‘DOOD on her European form, Lahudood was the in the $249,200 race did not in any way Funny how a name sounds a lot better better one,” McLaughlin said. “This was diminish the effort of Trippi’s Storm, who with a grade I win next to it. If anyone had the first time everything went perfect. She has been a gem of consistency but has trouble pronouncing the name Lahudood wants to be covered up and make a run come up short in major stakes against before the Sept. 29 Flower Bowl Invitation- on firm ground. (Shadwell manager) Rick top-class horses. The son of Trippi, out of al Stakes (gr. IT), they either know it now Nichols told me that the boss didn’t send Pocket Beauty, by , had run at 1 or will make sure they know it before the her over here to be an allowance horse.” five different distances, ranging from 1 ⁄ 16 1 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. So, when Lahudood came charging miles to 1 ⁄ 2 miles, since being put on the When Shadwell Stable sent Kiaran through along the rail to defeat a star- turf by trainer Stanley Hough. This was 1 McLaughlin two classy 4-year-old fillies studded field in the 1 ⁄ 4-mile Flower Bowl his first crack at a mile and he delivered, from Europe this spring, Lahudood and in 1:59.05 at odds of 21-1, it wasn’t totally charging to the front under Javier Castel- Makderah, it looked as if Makderah was unexpected. lano and then holding off After Market’s late charge. Trippi’s Storm saved ground around the turn and then swung wide, while After Market was caught wide the whole way. After Market cost himself any chance when he drifted out at a crucial point in the stretch and then was unable to run down a game Trippi’s Storm. The California in- vader, winner of four graded stakes in a 1 row, finished 1 ⁄ 2 lengths ahead of Palace Episode. Finishing out of the money were classy grass stars English Colony, Strike a Deal, and Icy Atlantic. “We never really knew this horse’s best distance,” Hough said of Trippi’s Storm. “A mile fits him pretty well. We would have to consider the (NetJets) Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT). Obviously, it will be very tough. We’ll see how he comes out of it. He ran back a little quick this time, and that would be a little quick again. But it worked this time. I thought the pace was good, and he seemed to settle in nice. Javier rode him Trippi’s Storm defeats heavy favorite After Market in the one-mile Kelso great.” B

5446 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ OCTOBER 6, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com BREEDERS’ CUP GEORGE WASHINGTON: Champ breaks down in Classic; euthanized ■ FIRST TIME AS TWO-DAY EVENT ■ WAR PASS IMPRESSES IN JUVENILE XXIV RESULTS ■ BAFFERT WINS A PAIR ■ WET WEATHER CAUSES HANDLE TO SLIP

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® I n t e r n a t i o n a l T h o r o u g h b r e d B r e e d i n g a n d R a c i n g N o v e m b e r 3 , 2 0 0 7 / N o . 4 4 Reign Supreme CURLIN WINS BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC IN THE SLOP AT MONMOUTH PARK CURLIN CLASSIC CURLIN

Curlin crushes the competition in the Monmouth Park slop Curl Jam

BY STEVE HASKIN

O D A R R O C E I K M CLASSIC

rior to this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. been saturated by Race Replays at I), Larry Jones, trainer of eventual runner-up Hard Spun, said of four days of rain. As Curlin’s trainer BloodHorseNOW.com the meteoric rise of the then undefeated Curlin, “Six months from Steve Asmussen, jock- C BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS P ey Robby Albarado, now, we could be looking at Curlin as a super horse.” co-owners Jess Jackson, Satish Sanan, and Well, it is now six months later, and Jones’ words, unfortunately for George Bolton, and their friends and fami- him, have become prophetic. By crushing Hard Spun with an awesome lies were hailing racing’s newest super- of power in the Oct. 27 Breeders’ Cup Classic – Powered by star, George Washington’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien, and his family were departing Dodge (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, Curlin has now entered the realm of through the tunnel. O’Brien, refusing or superstardom. unable to speak to anyone, put his arm What the son of Smart Strike, out of the Deputy Minister mare Sher- around his wife, Anne-Marie, who was in tears. It was a sad ending to what had riff’s Deputy, has accomplished since his career debut Feb. 3 is unprec- been an exciting and formful day of rac- edented. ing, despite the track conditions and the precipitation that finally ended at about As Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens said, “He’s not one in a million 3:30, giving way to glorious sunshine. to have done what he’s done; he’s one in a jillion.” George Washington’s injury was diag- nosed by Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith as an open fracture of the cannon bone in the right front fetlock joint, as well as fractured But Curlin’s victory could not be fully following the Classic, there was no joy in sesamoids, an injury he called “hopeless appreciated by the crowd of 41,781, who Mudville. A short distance away from the as far as repair.” were more focused on the tragic scene that winner’s circle festivities, Ireland’s George In addition to the loss of a brilliant and was playing out in front of them. Other Washington was being euthanized after talented horse, the incident dampened than the victory celebration for Curlin breaking down on a sloppy track that had what should have been the joyous corona-

R E T H C E H C S . J T I O L E Hard Spun (center) still has the lead in the slop of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but Curlin (left) is making a winning move on the turn

6140 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com CURLIN

S O T O H P T D R A H R E B E . M E N N A Part of Curlin’s ownership group: clockwise from top left, Jess Jackson with Shirley Cunningham’s wife, Patricia; Ann and Satish Sanan; thumbs up from George Bolton

tion of a champion, unlike any seen in a long while. Not even longtime veterans of the sport could recall a horse accomplishing so much in such a short period of time. Unraced at 2, Curlin did not make his ca- reer debut until Feb. 3. In less than nine months he has won the grade I Breed- ers’ Cup Classic, Preakness Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup, grade II Arkan- sas Derby, and grade III Rebel Stakes. He also was second in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Haskell Invitational (gr. I). “To accomplish what he’s accomplished in the length of time that he has, to get to this level, he’s different in many ways; he’s an amazing animal,” Asmussen said. longs, many great horses have competed “What I like about him is that he’s just In the Classic, Curlin powered his way to at that distance over the years. Even more learning to run right now,” assistant trainer 1 a 4 ⁄ 2-length victory over the indefatigable impressive than the final time was Cur- Scott Blasi said back at the barn as Curlin Hard Spun in track-record-equaling time lin running each of his final two quarters was being bathed under the cover of dark- 2 1 of 2:00.59. The previous record of 2:00 ⁄ 5 in :24 ⁄ 5 over a track on which horses had ness. “He’s really leveling off and finishing was set by in 1962. Although been closing slowly all afternoon in two- off his races. Even though he’s just now Monmouth no longer cards races at 10 fur- turn races. figuring it out, he’s already doing things

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we haven’t seen a horse do in 30 years.” chased by Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables, Pitts and assistant Hanne Jorgensen The Classic was unique in that it at- Sanan’s Padua Stables, and Bolton through worked long and hard on the colt through tracted five grade I winners from this bloodstock agent John Moynihan follow- two cases of bucked shins and other minor year’s Derby—Curlin, Derby winner Street ing the colt’s spectacular career debut for a ailments. On July 29, 2006, the South- Sense, Hard Spun, Any Given Saturday, price believed to be between $3.5 and $3.7 ern Legislative Conference convened at and Tiago. This remarkable quintet would million, with Midnight Cry maintaining a Churchill Downs, where the legislators be battling each other with the 3-year-old minority interest. were treated to a night at the races, which championship on the line, and only the 4- But the story of Curlin began well before included three exhibition races. When year-old Lawyer Ron standing in their way that. Purchased by trainer Kenny McPeek Churchill Downs’ senior vice president for Horse of the Year honors. for $57,000 at the 2005 Keeneland Sep- of racing, Donnie R ichardson, asked Street Sense and Hard Spun were the tember yearling sale, the colt was sent to Pitts to help out and put a couple of her fan favorites, thanks in part to their con- Helen Pitts to train after McPeek temporar- 2-year-olds in the races, she chose Cur- vivial trainers Carl Nafzger and Jones, re- ily retired from training to concentrate on lin, who wound up finishing third behind spectively. Curlin, through no fault of his bloodstock work. the Bernie Flint-trained Speedway, who own, has not been as warmly received due had already broken his maiden by three to the legal entanglements of several of his lengths, but was still green and needed owners. As he did in the Preakness, Cur- “He’s just learning to run more experience. lin wore the silks of Midnight Cry Stables, “Curlin had worked a couple of half- whose owners, Shirley Cunningham and right now. He’s already doing miles, but he was just a big ol’ 2-year-old William Gallion, are currently in prison who had never been asked to do anything awaiting trial while accused of bilking $64 things we haven’t seen at that point,” said exercise rider Mick Jen- million from their clients in the Fen-Phen a horse do in 30 years.” ner, who rode Curlin that night. “Every- diet drug settlement. thing he’d done was on the bit. The race Most everyone is well aware by now SCOTT BLASI was only a quarter of a mile and he was that a majority interest in Curlin was pur- bucking and rearing, and I was hanging on for dear life. So I not only got Curlin beat, I got him well beat.” Flint, who had no idea he had defeated Curlin in that race, still marvels at what the colt has accomplished since then. “He went from zip to winning the Breed- ers’ Cup Classic and Horse of the Year,” Flint said. “It’s unbelievable. That’s all I can say—unbelievable.” Pitts and Jorgensen (who is married to Jenner) continued to nurse Curlin through his ailments and finally got him ready for his debut at Gulfstream Park. Jorgensen, who also was Curlin’s regular exercise rider, knew that he was something special and unlike any horse she’d ever been on, and wasn’t surprised when he demolished his field by nearly 13 lengths. Asmussen had shipped into Gulfstream from Fair Grounds to run Gunfight in the Swale Stakes (gr. II) and was stabled in Pitts’ barn, so he was able to get a good close-up look at this magnificent chest- nut. It was Jorgensen who had helped him by getting on Gunfight in the mornings. When Asmussen left, Curlin went with him. Jorgensen was devastated, and still is, watching her “baby” clinch Horse of the Year honors for someone else, while increasing his bankroll to more than $5.1 million. “He was always a physically strong horse, but I admired how mentally strong he was,” Jorgensen said. “It’s bittersweet. You take care of them and cultivate them for almost a year and then someone with more money comes in and snatches them

T right out from under you.” D R A H Curlin quickly developed into a power- R E B E house for Asmussen and just kept getting . M E better and better. He went into the Ken- N N A tucky Derby with only three starts, but Trainer Steve Asmussen says Curlin is “an amazing animal” still managed to finish a solid third, de-

6142 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com CURLINCURLIN

R E T H C E H C S . J T I O L E Jockey Robby Albarado, who won his first Breeders’ Cup race, says Curlin “found something extra to push off and draw away from them”

spite encountering traffic problems. Then onship honors. Curlin would need a huge Street Sense was the first Classic horse came his dramatic Preakness victory over comeback to take it away from him. to arrive at Monmouth, shipping in by van Street Sense and his courageous head de- Curlin returned after another two-month from Louisville Oct. 19, eight days before feat in the Belmont Stakes at the hands of layoff to gamely defeat Lawyer Ron in the the Classic, with a scheduled work set for super filly Rags to Riches, who went into Jockey Club Gold Cup, putting him in po- the following Tuesday. the race a much fresher horse. With Curlin sition to challenge Street Sense, who had “He’s impatient,” said Nafzger in ex- having so little experience and foundation, been beaten by Hard Spun in the Kentucky plaining why he vanned the colt so early. everyone kept waiting for him to run into Cup Classic (gr. II). But he would also have “He wants off, and he wants off now. I the proverbial brick wall after his grueling to contend with Any Given Saturday, who wanted to see how he handled this track spring campaign, but he never did. was riding a three-race winning streak, and if there’s anything I needed to adjust. Finally, after the Belmont, he was given and had a decisive victory over him on the We got everything in this race. We got two months off, but returned with a dull Monmouth Park surface. speed, we got tactical speed, and we got third behind Any Given Saturday and The stage was set for one of the most closers. And every horse in the race has Hard Spun in the Haskell. Did he simply highly anticipated Classics ever, with one common denominator—class. So, that crash after being on such an adrenaline Street Sense and Curlin the main contend- makes it really tough.” high and then let down abruptly? Or with ers for the Eclipse Award. But Hard Spun Curlin didn’t arrive until the Tuesday be- his humongous stride, did he simply not and Any Given Saturday were only one fore the race, just after Street Sense turned 1 like the tight turns at Monmouth Park? victory away from displacing them. Curlin in a sharp five-furlong work in 1:01 ⁄ 5, gal- Whatever the reason, Asmussen passed was 1-1 against Street Sense, 2-2 against loping out seven furlongs in a sensational 3 3 the Travers Stakes (gr. I), which was won Hard Spun, and 1-1 against Any Given Sat- 1:25 ⁄ 5 and pulling up a mile in 1:38 ⁄ 5. by Street Sense, to point for the Classic. urday. But he did have a victory over the Curlin arrived with his two personal Street Sense’s Travers victory placed him nation’s leading older horse, Lawyer Ron, bodyguards who work for Jess Jackson firmly atop the contenders list for champi- to his credit. and have been monitoring his every move

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since Saratoga. I winners, with the remaining two—Awe- “Our job is to make sure no one gets some Gem and Diamond Stripes—grade close to him,” said Amy Kearns, who has BREEDERS’ CUP FACTS II winners and grade I-placed. European a master’s degree in criminal justice and champion George Washington added a Curlin is the eighth 3-year-old to win spent a year on the streets of Indianapolis good deal of intrigue to the race, returning the Classic; the last was in 2000 interviewing gang members and felons. for a second try after a troubled sixth-place She shares her duties at the barn with a Curlin’s win marks first Breeders’ Cup finish last year. The 2006 English Two retired police officer from Cincinnati. victories for trainer Steve Asmussen Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) and Queen “We write down everything that hap- and jockey Robby Albarado Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) winner had pens,” added Kearns, who refers to herself European-based horses been retired to stud at the end of last year, as Curlin’s chaperone. “Anytime someone of winner’s circle for first time since ’98 but was put back in training after impreg- gives him something or goes in his stall, nating only five mares. whether it’s the vet or Scott, we record it Trainer and jockey Garrett The Classic also would likely mark the in his diary. We record everything—when Gomez scored two wins with farewell performance for Street Sense, Hard he lays down, when he gets up, when he Indian Blessing (Juvenile Fillies) Spun, and Any Given Saturday, all of whom eats hay, everything, 24 hours a day. We and (Sprint) had been purchased by Darley earlier in the have volumes, starting up in Saratoga. He year. Of the three, only Any Given Satur- doesn’t like small animals; he gets agitated ditional races carded for Friday, went day’s status has not been announced. by them, so we have to watch for that as smoothly and according to form. In fact, it For Street Sense’s rider, Calvin Borel, well. He’s such a smart horse. He’s unbe- was the most formful Breeders’ Cup ever. this has been the end of a magical journey, lievable to be around.” All eight of Saturday’s winners, and 10 which brought him an invitation to the That eventful Tuesday was the last time of the 11 overall winners, had previously White House and a meeting with Queen anyone at Monmouth would see the sun won a grade I race in the United States, Elizabeth. until Saturday afternoon, as a massive with the exception of Juvenile Turf win- “This year has been a dream come true, front moved up from the south bringing ner Nownownow, and that was because and it’s gonna be sad to see him go,” Borel steady rains, heavy at times, and brisk there are no grade I races for juveniles on said. “But all things must come to an end. winds. The weather bureau called for the turf in the U.S. On only three previous He’s been every jock’s dream, and I don’t flood warnings on race day, as giant waves occasions have there been as many as six think he can be beat on Saturday.” pounded the Jersey Shore for several days. Breeders’ Cup winners who already had At 7:15 on the morning of the race, Todd Despite the horrible conditions, the won a grade I race in the U.S. Pletcher, trainer of Lawyer Ron and Any Breeders’ Cup, which was a two-day event A field of nine went to the post for the Given Saturday, stood outside his barn for the first time this year, with three ad- Classic, seven of whom were grade/group hosing off his shoes, having just come

I N E T S K I C D I P K S George Washington was euthanized after suffering a fracture of the cannon bone in the right front fetlock joint as well as fractured sesamoids

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R E T H C E H C S . J T I O L E Curlin accelerates as they straighten away for home; from inspecting the track. What he saw below, race favorite Street Sense with trainer Carl Nafzger was not encouraging. “It’s not good,” Pletcher said. “Not good. It pulls your shoes off, and the scariest part is it’s very inconsistent. That’s what wor- ries me. But they haven’t brought the trac- tors out yet, so, we’ll see.” A few barns away, Jones was contemplat- ing how a victory by Hard Spun would be perceived. “If we do win, then everybody’s gonna want to blow it off as him just doing well because of the slop,” he said. “It’s a no- win situation, but we’re gonna enjoy it any- way. Our job is to get it done, and if it does play in our favor, then good.” The fans made Street Sense the 5-2 fa- vorite, followed by Any Given Saturday and Lawyer Ron at 7-2, and Curlin a sur- prising 4-1. In the paddock, Bob Baffert, who was still beaming over his two Breeders’ Cup winners, Indian Blessing and Midnight Lute, called his wife, Jill, after looking N O T S over the field and gave her his assessment G I N I V of the horses in one word: “Curlin.” L . D At the start, Hard Spun, as expected, A R A B went to the front from post 8, but had to R A B work a bit to get there, outrunning Law-

6146 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com CLASSIC CURLIN

would ultimately be pulled up by jockey was apparent as they closed in on Hard Mick Kinane just before the wire. Spun at the quarter pole that Curlin was by “He did well to stay up,” Kinane said. far the stronger of the two and was moving “He was brave. He didn’t go down, and by so well he already had the race in the bag. staying up he saved me.” Turning for home, Curlin charged past Tiago, who was coming up to the race Hard Spun, as Street Sense’s move stalled in great shape, was back in last and ap- abruptly. Curlin began drawing off under parently not handling the footing at all. mild encouragement from Albarado. The He managed to make slight progress late race for first and second was over, and to finish fifth, 10 lengths ahead of Any it was just a question of whether Street Given Saturday and Lawyer Ron, neither Sense could hang on for third. Awesome of whom ever got hold of the track. Gem, who had been back in eighth, came Around the turn, Curlin had a half- flying late and snatched the show spot in length advantage on Street Sense as the the final few jumps. two began their moves together. As fast as “After I looped Hard Spun, Curlin found Street Sense was coming along the inside, something extra that we needed to push Curlin was always going better, reaching off and draw away from them,” Albarado out with those massive strides of his. It said. “Coming back, he wasn’t stressed at

RESULTS

1õ MILES. (2.00§) 24TH RUNNING OF THE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC- POWERED BY DODGE. Grade I. Purse $5,000,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. Northern Hemisphere Three-Year-Olds, 121 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs.; Southern Hemisphere Three Year Olds, 116 lbs.; Older, 126 lbs. All Fillies and Mares allowed 3 lbs. $50,000 to pre-enter, $75,000 to enter, with guaranteed $5million ELEVENTH RACE purse including nominator awards (plus Net Supplementary Fees, if any), of which 54% of all monies to Monmouth the owner of the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5.1% to fourth and 2.5% to fifth; plus stallion nominator awards of 2.7% of all monies to the winner, 1% to second and 0.5% to third and foal nominator OCTOBER 27, 2007 awards of 2.7% of all monies to the winner, 1% to second and 0.5% to third. Additional nominator awards to be paid from Breeders' Cup funds, not included in purse distribution. Stallion nominator awards of N O T 0.255% of all monies to fourth and 0.125% to fifth and foal nominator awards of 0.255% of all monies to S G fourth and 0.125% to fifth. Closed with 9 pre-entries. I N Value of Race: $4,580,000 Winner $2,700,000;second $1,000,000;third $500,000;fourth $255,000;fifth $125,000. Mutuel Pool $9,276,636.00 I V L . Exacta Pool $5,207,211.00 Trifecta Pool $4,616,057.00 Superfecta Pool $2,559,492.00 D A Last Raced Horse M/Eqt. A.Wt PP ² ¶ º 1 Str Fin Jockey Odds $1 R A B R 30æ07 ¦¥Bel¦ Curlin L 3 121 4 6Ç 6¦ 5ô 2§ 1¦ 1©ô AlbaradoR J 4.40 A B 29æ07 ¦¥TP¦ Hard Spun L 3 121 8 1¦ 1¦ô 1§ô 1§ 2§ô 2©ö Pino MG 8.10 Trainer Larry Jones with Hard Spun 29æ07 ®OSA§ Awesome Gem L b 4 126 6 8© 8§ 8§ 6§ô 4© 3¦ Flores D R 28.30 29æ07 ¦¥TP§ Street Sense L f 3 121 2 7§ô 7¬ 6¦ 3§ 3ª 4¤õ Borel C H 2.50 29æ07 ®OSA¦ Tiago L f 3 121 9 9 9 9 7© 5ª 5¦¥ SmithM E 12.80 yer Ron, who had broken from the rail. 22æ07 ¦¥Bel¦ Any Given Saturday L 3 121 3 4ô 4§ 3¦ô 5© 6¦ô 6Ç Gomez G K 3.90 Meadowlands Cup (gr. II) winner Dia- 30æ07 ¦¥Bel§ Lawyer Ron L 4 126 1 2ô 2¦ 2¦ô 4ô 7ª 7¤õ Velazquez J R 3.90 mond Stripes was right up there, with 5å07 ®Med¦ Diamond Stripes L b 4 126 7 3¦ 3¦ 4¦ô 9 9 8 Velasquez C 38.80 Any Given Saturday in good position in 9æ07 ¦¥LCH¨ GorgWshington-Ire L 4 126 5 5© 5©ô 7©ô 8§ô 8ô > Kinane M J 9.00 fourth. George Washington tracked him OFF AT5:44 StartGood. Won driving. Track sloppy (Sealed). in fift h, with Curlin directly outside of TIME :23, :45©, 1:10¨, 1:35©, 2:00§ (:23.11, :45.85, 1:10.67, 1:35.86, 2:00.59) 4- C URLIN 10.80 5.20 4.20 Street Sense, who found his usual posi- $2 Mutuel Prices: 8- H ARDS PUN 7.60 5.80 tion on the rail. 6- A WESOMEG EM 9.40 $2 EXACTA 4-8 PAID $70.80 $1 TRIFECTA 4-8-6 PAID $645.30 $1 SUPERFECTA 4-8-6-2 PAID $2,146.20 Ch. c, (Mar), by Smart Strike - Sherriff's Deputy , by Deputy Minister . Trainer Asmussen Steven M. Bred by Fares Farm Inc(Ky). Curlin and Hard Spun are CURLIN was unhurried for five furlongs while racing just outside STREET SENSE along the backstretch, got the jump on that one while splitting horses to make his move on the turn, rapidly closed the gap angling three wide at the quarter pole, drew rare individuals—throwbacks along side HARD SPUN to challenge in upper stretch, surged to the front opening a clear advantage a furlong out then drew away with authority under steady right hand urging to win going away. HARD SPUN sprinted clear on the first turn, set a rapid to a time when horses pace while saving ground along the backstretch, raced uncontested on the lead to the top of the stretch, yielded to the winner nearing the furlong marker then continued on well to clearly best the others. AWESOME GEM raced far back for seven furlongs, advanced a bit from outside midway on the turn, swung three wide at the quarter pole then closed late from outside to gain a were tough and durable share. STREET SENSE tucked in along the rail in the early stages, raced in hand while saving ground along the backstretch, made his move with the winner midway on the turn, was unable to stay with that one approaching the quarter pole then and thrived on racing flattened out through the final eighth . TIAGO was outrun while trailing to the far turn, lodged a mild move while saving ground on the turn then lacked a strong closing response. ANY GIVEN SATURDAY chased along the inside in the early stages, moved out slightly along the backstretch, tracked the leaders to the far turn, dropped back midway on the turn and steadily tired thereafter. LAWYER RON steadied slightly along the rail while a bit rank leaving the first turn, angled outside HARD SPUN Down the backstretch after a quarter approaching the backstretch, pressed the pace from outside for five furlongs, lagged behind on the far turn, gave way nearing C L L in :23.11 and a half in a quick :45.85, Hard the stretch and steadily tired thereafter. DIAMOND STRIPES bobbled a bit at the start, stalked the leaders while three wide for . O a half mile, dropped well back on the far turn and was never close thereafter. GEORGE WASHINGTON (IRE) moved into C Spun began to open up on the field, with E S contention while four wide on the first turn, raced in midpack for a half, was finished leaving the three-eighths pole then broke A Curlin and Street Sense still side by side, I B down insidethe furlong marker. U Q E some 10 lengths off the pace. It had not Owners- 1, Stonestreet Stables Padua Stables Bolton George and Midnight Cry Stables; 2, Fox Hill Farms Inc; 3, West Point Patrice D N A Arudel & Paul Blavin; 4, James B Tafel; 5, Moss Mr and Mrs Jerome S; 6, Winstar Farm LLC and Padua Stables; 7, Est Of James T Hines Jr . been a good day for closers in two-turn C & Stonewall StallionsRacingDivision; 8, FourRosesThoroughbreds; 9, MrsJohn MagnierMichaelTabor& DerrickSmith I N races, and both classic winners had a lot M Trainers- 1, Asmussen Steven M; 2, Jones J Larry; 3, Dollase Craig; 4, Nafzger Carl A; 5, Shirreffs John; 6, Pletcher Todd A; 7, R O F of ground to make up on Hard Spun, who PletcherTodd A; 8, DutrowRichardE Jr; 9, O'BrienAidan P G I N C was winging it out there on an uncontest- A R $2Daily Double (6-4) Paid $55.60 ; Daily Double Pool $1,522,005 . Y ed lead. I L A $1 Pick Three (4-6-4) Paid $166.40 ; Pick Three Pool $1,353,423 . D , 7 Approaching the far turn, Hard Spun $1Pick Four (8-4-6-4) Paid $1,506.50 ; Pick Four Pool $3,166,213 . 0 0 2 $2Pick Six (6-2/3-8-4-6-4) 6 Correct Paid $321,813.20 ; Pick Six Pool $3,287,581 . T led by three lengths, with Lawyer Ron H I G $2Pick Six (6-2/3-8-4-6-4) 5 Correct Paid $1,536.40 . R and Any Given Saturday going nowhere. Y P Monmouth Park Attendance:41,781 Mutuel Pool: $12,726,622.00 Total Mutuel Pool: $99,177,063.00 O George Washington was retreating, and C

6148 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com CLASSIC CURLIN

all and was as calm as can be, just like the As for Curlin’s future, Bolton said, “I was normal Curlin every day.” so blown away. Why would we retire him? Borel offered no excuses for Street “Why would we retire him? So I can go buy 10 more that can’t run? I Sense. “He just got outrun,” he said. “It’s So I can buy 10 more would love to run him in the Dubai World heartbreaking to go out like this, but he’s Cup (UAE-I) and come back and point for one of a kind. He’s the best horse in the that can’t run?” the Classic at Santa Anita.” world to me, and I’ve had a dream come Jackson, who owns the largest share in true with him. He gave me everything he GEORGE BOLTON the colt, said the partners will get together had, but he just couldn’t go with Curlin. and decide what to do. “I’m on cloud nine, That was it.” so I’m not sure I’m rational right now,” Jones was happy with Hard Spun’s per- barn and Curlin looked the best.” he said. “With Robby on board and Steve formance, and with the remarkable tough- It is noting that the only two hors- training, I’m sure we can prove that he’s ness and durability the colt has shown es to compete in all three Triple Crown one of the best in the last half-century. all year, winning four graded stakes and races—Curlin and Hard Spun—went on This is one of the best generations I’ve finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, to finish one-two in the Classic. That fact ever seen and I’ve been watching racing Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Haskell, and either dispels any myths about the Triple since 1939. As a breeder, I’d love to have third in the Preakness. Crown being too demanding on horses the American breed move upward with “It’s sort of like kissing your mother, but or proves that Curlin and Hard Spun are the distance, durability, power, and speed we’re happy,” he said. “We’re real proud of rare individuals—throwbacks to a time that Curlin represents. But I’m a racing fan him. Once again, the 3-year-olds showed when horses were tough and durable and and a handicapper, and I’d love to see him up. I watched these horses in the holding thrived on racing. come back and keep racing.” So ends the latest chapter in the amazing saga of Curlin. Bred in Ken- tucky by Fares Farms, he has earned his Horse of the Year title with two distinct campaigns. There was the spring campaign, in which he kept firing bullets race after race through the Triple Crown, despite having lit- tle foundation under him. And there was the summer and fall campaign, in which he had two eight-week lay- offs and showed he’s equally effec- tive going into his races fresh. He has won on the lead, come from one length back to win, three lengths back, five lengths back, and 10 and 13 lengths back. He equaled the track record in the Classic and equaled the stakes record in the Preakness, each time turning in blistering final fractions. He’s won photo finishes, and he’s routed his opposition by as 1 3 many as 10 ⁄ 2 and 12 ⁄ 4 lengths. Credit must be given to Asmus- sen, who has directed Curlin’s cam- paign like a four-star general. “Steve made all the decisions regarding training and which race we go to,” said Sanan, who also is part-owner of Any Given Saturday. “He’s done a phenomenal job; no question about it.” Asmussen was equally as prophet- ic as Jones when he commented be- fore the Kentucky Derby, “This horse has greatness in his future. You tend to want to mention him with horses whose names slide right off your tongue.” Now, six months later, Asmussen has changed his way of thinking. He N O T no longer cares to mention Curlin in S G I N the same breath with anyone. I V L . D “You’re looking to compare him A R A B with something else,”he said, “but R A B there’s just not another horse to Curlin: Power and stamina in one tightly-wound package compare him with.” b

6150 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ NOVEMBER 3, 2007 BloodHor seNOW.com ECLIPSE INSIDE: Pedigrees, ◀ Jess Jackson accepts AWARD past performances trophies Jan. 21 in WINNERS of all champions Beverly Hills, Calif.

B l o o d H o r s e N O W . c o m

I n t e r n a t i o n a l T h o r o u g h b r e d J a n u a r y 2 6 , 2 0 0 8 / N o . 4 B r e e d i n g a n d R a c i n g 2007 Horse of the Year

CLASSIC-WINNING CURLIN EARNS RACING’S TOP PRIZE Eclipse Curlin Award WINNERS Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Male

R E D Y N S Y E R F F E J Wins in the Preakness, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Breeders’ Cup Classic, above, earn Curlin the Horse of the Year title

BY STEVE HASKIN head and the Jockey Club Gold Cup by a neck, his average margin 1 n Feb. 3, 2007, the proverbial snowball began its seem- of victory still was more than 5 ⁄ 2 lengths. He could beat you in ingly innocuous descent down the mountain. Growing a stretch duel or he could blow you off the track. He won on the Olarger and larger at an astounding rate, it soon became an front end sprinting; came from three, four, and five lengths back avalanche that by October was an unstoppable force. in middle-distance races; and came from 10 and 13 lengths back Few had seen anything like Curlin. Veteran horsemen could at classic distances. not recall a young horse going on such a roll following his career As his trainer Steve Asmussen said, “There’s nothing I can debut, and actually getting stronger as the year went on. compare him to—nothing.” 1 In less than 7 ⁄ 2 months after breaking his maiden, Curlin won Curlin’s first start was for trainer Helen Pitts. When the son of the grade I Breeders’ Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge, Preak- Smart Strike—Sherriff’s Deputy, by Deputy Minister, romped by 3 ness Stakes, and Jockey Club Gold Cup, 12 ⁄ 4 lengths, the offers came pouring in. The colt’s owners, Mid- ECLIPSE VOTING: grade II Arkansas Derby, grade III Rebel night Cry Stable’s Shirley Cunningham and William Gallion, who 3-YEAR-OLD MALE Stakes, finished second by a head in the bought the Fares Farm-bred colt for $57,000 as a Keeneland Sep- 1ST PLACE VOTES grade I Belmont Stakes and third in the tember yearling, sold majority interest to a partnership made up of CURLIN/262 grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Jess Jackson, Satish Sanan, and George Bolton for a price believed Street Sense/3 Yum! Brands and Haskell Invitational. to be between $3.5 and $3.7 million. Curlin was turned over to Hard Spun/1 Despite winning the Preakness by a Asmussen, who had shipped to Gulfstream for a stakes run the

2007 Past Performances

Ch. c. 3 (Mar) KEESEP05 $57,000 Life 9 6 1 2 $5,102,800 119 D.Fst 8 5 1 2 $2,402,800 114 Curlin Sire: Smart Strike (Mr. Prospector) $75,000 Wet(403) 1 1 0 0 $2,700,000 119 Own: Stonestreet Stables Padua Stables, Bo 2007 9 6 1 2 $5,102,800 119 Dam:Sherriff's Deputy (Deputy Minister) Synth 0 0 0 0 $0 - Br: Fares Farm Inc (Ky) 2006 0 M 0 0 $0 - Turf(336) 0 0 0 0 $0 - Tr: Asmussen Steven M(0 0 0 0 .00) 2007:(2273 488 .21) 0 0 0 0 $0 - Dst(0) 0 0 0 0 $0 - 27å07=11Mth slyø 1² :45©1:10¨ 1:35©2:00§ 3ÎBCClasic-G1 119 4 6¦¥ 5¬ 2§ 1¦ 1©ô AlbaradoR J L121 4.40 116= 07 Curlin121©ô Hard Spun121©ö Awesome Gem126¦ Drew off powerfully 9 30æ07=10Bel fst 1² :47©1:11¨ 1:36¦2:01¦ 3ÎJkyClbGC-G1 114 5 4§ô 4¨ 3¦ 2ô 1É AlbaradoR J L122 2.10 91= 13 Curlin 122É Lawyer Ron126© Political Force126« Determined outside 7 5Ý07=13Mth fst 1° :47 1:10¨ 1:35§1:48¦ HsklInv-G1 105 5 5ª 5©ô 4¦ô 3¦ 3©ô AlbaradoR J L122 *.90 92= 13 AnyGiven Saturday 118©ô HardSpun 118Ç Curlin 122¨ô 4wd,needed more 7 9Þ07=11Bel fst 1¶ :50 1:15¦ 2:04©2:28¨ Belmont-G1 107 3 4¦ô 4¦ 2Ç 2Ç 2Ç AlbaradoR J L126 *1.10 94= 06 Rags to Riches121Ç Curlin126ªô Tiago 126ªô Split 1/4pl,yi elded 7 19Ü07=12Pim fst 1± :45¨1:09© 1:34¨1:53§ Preaknes-G1 111 4 6¤ô 7¦¨ 6«ô 2¦ô 1Ç AlbaradoR J L126 3.40 105= 05 Curlin126Ç StreetSense 126© Hard Spun126¦ô Stumbled brk, 5wide 9 5Ü07=10CD fst 1² :46¦1:11 1:37 2:02 KyDerby-G1 98 2 13¦§14®ô 8©ô 6¬ö 3¤ AlbaradoR J L126 5.00 88= 09 Street Sense126§õ Hard Spun126ªö Curlin 126ô Steady early,5w bid 20 14ß07=11OP fst 1° :47©1:12¨ 1:38 1:50 ArkDerby-G2 105 2 2¦ 3¨ 2¦ô 1¨ô 1¦¥ô AlbaradoR J L122 *.80 91= 17 Curlin122¦¥ô Storm in May122ô Deadly Dealer118ô Effortlssly well clear 9 17à07=10OP fst 1 :23§ :47¨ 1:12§1:44¨ Rebel-G3 99 8 4© 5ªô 4¦õ 1§ô 1ªõ AlbaradoR J L117 2.70 83= 24 Curlin 117ªõ Officer Rocket119§ô Teuflesberg122¦õ Swept to fore 4-w 9 Previously trained by Pitts Helen 2006: ( 210 34 31 25 0.16 ) 3á07= 4GP fst 7f :22¨ :45§ 1:09©1:22¦ Md Sp Wt 38k 102 2 6 1Ç 1§ 1¨ 1¦§ö Bejarano R L122 *2.00 94= 06 Curlin 122¦§ö Winstrella122©ö Marnesia's Big Boy122É Drifted out stretch 8

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536 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JANUARY 26, 2008 BloodHor seNOW.com Past 3-Year-Old Male Winners

1971 Canonero II 1984 Swale 1997 Silver Charm 1972 Key to the Mint 1985 Spend a Buck 1998 Real Quiet 1973 Secretariat 1986 1999 1974 Little Current 1987 Alysheba 2000 Tiznow 1975 Wajima 1988 2001 Point Given 1976 1989 2002 War Emblem 1977 Seattle Slew 1990 Unbridled 2003 Funny Cide 1978 Affirmed 1991 Hansel 2004 Smarty Jones

1979 1992 A.P. Indy 2005 Afleet Alex N O T 1980 1993 2006 Bernardini S G 1981 1994 Holy Bull 2007 Curlin I N I V L 1982 Conquistador Cielo 1995 Thunder Gulch . D 1983 Slew o’ Gold 1996 A R A B R A same day as Curlin’s debut and happened to be stabled in his barn. B It didn’t take him long to realize this was a special horse. Curlin’s crew in the Preakness winner’s circle “When he came into our barn and I began training him, we knew he had only run one time,” Asmussen said. “But when we Belmont Stakes, Curlin came right back three weeks later and took him to the Rebel, we knew he was going to win. He gave was involved in a gut-wrenching stretch duel with super filly Rags every indication he was good enough and up to it. And then from to Riches, who hadn’t run since her victory in the Kentucky Oaks there came the Arkansas Derby. After that, we were never sur- (gr. I). Curlin gave his all, but fell a head short. prised when he won. We were only surprised when he got beat. “It wasn’t meant to be; that’s all,” Asmussen said. “I think she He gave you that kind of confidence just from being around him. benefited from a perfect setup; she was a fresh horse and had to He didn’t come back from his races—even his defeats—like other run only a half-mile.” horses. He was just different from the rest of them.” Finally given some time off, Curlin came back eight weeks Curlin’s first defeat came in the Kentucky Derby in only the later to finish third in the Haskell. Rather than rush him back in fourth start of his career. He was making a big move on the turn, the Travers (gr. I), Asmussen gave him another eight weeks off matching strides with the eventual winner, Street Sense. But and pointed for the Jockey Club Gold Cup, which Curlin won by a when a horse came off the rail, it forced jockey Robby Albarado neck over the year’s champion older horse Lawyer Ron. on Curlin to alter course while opening the rail up for Street “Spacing his races the second part of the year was by design,” Sense. Asmussen said. “He needed to digest what he had done, and In the Preakness, Curlin stumbled at the start and dropped when he came back, he actually was on level footing as far as more than a dozen lengths off the pace. He made a big move on experience goes.” the turn, but with his humongous strides, he had difficulty cut- The Breeders’ Cup Classic was payback time for Curlin, who ting the corner at the top of the stretch and basically blew the destroyed one of the better Classic fields ever assembled, win- 1 turn. Street Sense charged by on Curlin’s inside and seemingly ning by 4 ⁄ 2 lengths over Hard Spun, with Street Sense fourth and was on his way to another victory. But as soon as Curlin switched Haskell winner Any Given Saturday and Lawyer Ron well back on Plans for 2008 leads and gathered himself, he the sloppy track. Curlin’s dominating victory nailed down Horse leveled off and came running late of the Year and 3-year-old champion honors. Remains in training for to nip Street Sense on the wire, After the race, assistant trainer Scott Blasi summed up Curlin, defense of his title. equaling the stakes record. saying, “He’s already doing things we haven’t seen a horse do in While Street Sense passed the 30 years.” B

Family Notes

Sire: SMART STRIKE, b, 1992. Raced 2 yrs, 8 sts, 6 wins, $337,376. Won Philip H. Iselin Raise a Native, 1961 Native Dancer H (gr. I), Salvator Mile H (gr. III). 4s, SW, $45,955 Mr. Prospector, 1970 838 f, 79 SW, 2.34 AEI Raise You Lifetime: 8 crops, 536 foals, 426 rnrs (79%), 304 wnrs (57%), 88 2yo wnrs (16%), 51 sw 14s, SW, $112,171 (10%), 2.86 AEI, 1.96 CI, 302 sale yrlgs, avg $86,658, 1.7 TNA. Gold Digger, 1962 SMART STRIKE, 1,178 f, 181 SW, 3.99 AEI Nashua 35s, SW, $127,255 b, 1992 1st dam: Sherriff’s Deputy, b, 1994. Bred by Fares Farm (Ky.). Unraced. Dam of 5 named 12 f, 7 r, 7 w, 3 SW Sequence foals, 5 rnrs, 3 wnrs, 1 sw. Smarten, 1976 Cyane 27s, SW, $716,426 1998: Deputy, dkb/br f, by Hadif. Raced 4 yrs, 20 sts, 4 wins, $52,020. Classy ‘n Smart, 1981 602 f, 49 SW, 1.71 AEI Smartaire 1999: Secret Wedge, gr/ro c, by Excellent Secret. Raced 3 yrs, 25 sts, 3 wins, 9s, SW, $303,222 $48,615. 9 f, 5 r, 5 w, 4 SW No Class, 1974 Nodouble 29s, wnr, $37,543 2002: Ms Deep Cover, gr/ro f, by Excellent Secret. Raced 1 yr, 1 st, 0 wins, $2,750. Died CURLIN 8 f, 7 r, 7 w, 6 SW Classy Quillo 2005. ($11,000 texaug yrlg). ch, c March 25, 2004 Vice Regent, 1967 Northern Dancer 2003: Comic Hero, b g, by Wild Zone. Raced 2 yrs, 3 sts, 0 wins, $1,100. ($30,000 keejan 5s, wnr, $6,215 yrlg; $60,000 keesep yrlg). Deputy Minister, 1979 672 f, 105 SW, 2.89 AEI Victoria Regina 22s, SW, $696,964 2004: CURLIN, ch c, by Smart Strike. ($57,000 keesep yrlg). 1,141 f, 89 SW, 2.67 AEI Mint Copy, 1970 Bunty’s Flight At 3: Won Preakness S (gr. I), Breeders’ Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), 76s, wnr, $53,945 7 f, 7 r, 4 w, 1 SW Shakney Jockey Club Gold Cup S (gr. I), Arkansas Derby (gr. II), Rebel S (gr. III); 2nd Belmont S (gr. I); 3rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Haskell SHERRIFF’S Bates Motel, 1979 Sir Ivor DEPUTY, 19s, SW, $851,050 Invitational S (gr. I). b, 1994 Barbarika, 1985 579 f, 39 SW, 1.47 AEI Sunday Purchase 2005: Barren. 16s, SW, $347,253 2006: F, by Medaglia d’Oro. Died 2006. 12 f, 9 r, 4 w War Exchange, 1972 Wise Exchange 48s, SW, $123,073 2007: Dkb/br f, by Saint Liam. 10 f, 7 r, 6 w, 2 SW Jungle War 2008: Barren. Broodmare sire: DEPUTY MINISTER, dkb/br, 1979-2004. Sire of 423 dams of 1,878 foals, CURLIN’S RACE AND (STAKES) RECORD 1,329 rnrs (71%), 965 wnrs (51%), 291 2yo wnrs (15%), 1.89 AEI, 1.60 CI; 148 sw. Year Age Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Earned 2nd dam: BARBARIKA, b, 1985. Bred by Dr. Herman Kossow (Ky.). Raced 3 yrs in Fr and 2007 at 3 9 6(5) 1(1) 2(2) $5,102,800 NA, 16 sts, 7 wins, $347,253. Won Johnnie Walker Black Classic H (gr. II), Turfway Park Lifetime 9 6(5) 1(1) 2(2) $5,102,800 Budweiser Breeders’ Cup H (gr. III); 3rd Louisville Budweiser Breeders’ Cup H (gr. II).

Blood HorseN O W.com THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JANUARY 26, 2008 537 ’s Fla. Derby ■ KY. CASINO BILL DEAD /1817 HOT ■ CASSE FAMILY /1850 romp makes for big ■ FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY /1854 BROWN day for Dutrow, IEAH ■ HAY, STRAW SHORTAGE /1856

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Curlin the Conqueror

CURLIN EASILY WINS THE NAD AL SHEBA RACECOURSE World Class DUBAI WORLD CUP

BY COLIN MacKENZIE

merica’s fragile foreign balance of Day insisted the performance lagged be- trade received a $7-million boost hind that of , who rated A when Horse of the Year Curlin led 139, and inaugural winner Cigar (132). For a charge of three U.S. victories at those connected with Curlin, however, it the fabulous Dubai World Cup meeting. was a performance of majesty and st yle, The lion’s share of the prize money ($3.6 following elegantly in the shadow of the million) and glory went to Curlin, who extraordinary fireworks display that bi- 3 posted a scintillating 7 ⁄ 4-length victory in sected the fourth and fift h races of the the showcase race, the Dubai World Cup night. - Sponsored by Emi rates Airline (UAE-I). Curlin will ship back to Keeneland April The giant son of Smart Strike bull ied his 6, where he will eventually resume light 11 rivals into submission as he powered training on the Polytrack sur face. Happily, clear in the stretch, with commentator Curlin came out of his race unscathed, Terry Spargo calling the victory a TKO. unlike so many previous winners of this Certainly those in his slipstream looked tough race, and took his career earnings punch drunk as Robby Albarado eased to $8,807,800. down on the chestnut, who easily con- “He was spot on,” trainer Steve Asmus- quered the 80° temperature and high hu- sen said. “He has spoiled us with his con- midity. Defying the outside draw—joining sistency. He stepped out of the stall in very Roses in May as the only previous winner good order and was ha ndy the whole way, to break from post 12—Curlin lay up with and we hope it continues. the early pace set by Well Armed and Asi- “For someone from a racing family to atic Boy. As the trio turned into the three- have the best horse in the world under my furlong home straight, Albarado, who has care is a dream come true. We had a great ridden Curlin, a 4-year-old colt out of the amount of faith in our anima l, even though Deputy Minister mare Sherrif f’s Deputy, in we had a lot of about t he draw. all but his first race, pressed the turbo, and “From Keeneland we’ll plan a course for Horse of the Year Curlin there was an immediate response. S The 4-11 favorite pulled steadily clear, Robby Albarado and Curlin separate them- E wins the Dubai World Cup N O selves from the pack down the stretch at J the only slight disappointment being that R O V Nad al Sheba; below, majority owner Jess E he failed to match the ill-fated Dubai Mil- R by a record margin T lennium’s 2000 course record of 1:59.50 Jackson hoists the World Cup trophy by 0.65 of a second. Nevertheless, he beat Dubai Millennium’s winning distance of six lengths impressively enough, with the second half of the year. It will be decid- just in ethics, but in medicat ions,” Jackson He was unbeaten in three races at Nad al Albarado seemingly having a little up his ed collectively and based on what’s in the said. “We call them medications—they Sheba this year and was the second-fa- sleeve. best interest of the horse and his legac y.” are drugs. vorite under . But he just The South African-trained Asiatic Boy For Albarado it was the best win of his “To avoid confrontation on the issue, we couldn’t live with Curlin’s class and faded stayed on well to take second place, with life, not to mention the most lucrative. “It get into discussions about the amounts and to seventh. “Jalil was too young and inex- Well Armed a neck away third and A. P. was as easy as it looked; he is such a spe- how much can be tolerated. We shouldn’t perienced,” Dettori said. “It was a year too Arrow only three-quarter s of a length back cial horse,” Albarado said. “I don’t want tolerate anything. I’m a believer in zero tol- early for him, and we will have to wait for in fourth place. to take anything away from the field, but eration, and that’s a reason why we were next year.” It was as comprehensive a win of the he has shown he is the best horse in the racing in Dubai. Nevertheless, the colt, campaigned world’s most valuable race as you could world. “Sheikh Mohammed and the Maktoum with limited success on grass in England expect to see and confirmed Curlin’s sta- “He was on the outside coming down family have been extremely supportive of in 2006 and 2007, will remain on dirt now tus as the world’s best Thoroughbred. the stretch, where he likes to be, and when breeding and racing in America, and this and could go to the U.S. later this year. However, local handicapper Melvin Day I called on him he was there. This is the was a personal way to thank him.” Richard Dutrow, who chose to remain in tempered enthusiasm for the performance highlight of my career. I’m sure with the Well Armed, ridden by Aaron Gryder Florida, where his colt Big Brown won the by pointing out that none of Curlin’s rivals team behind him he can go on. Steve (As- and trained by Eoin Harty, stayed on well (gr. I), making him a leading could be given a rat ing above 118. He rated mussen), (his assistant) Scott Blasi, Carlos to be third jus t behind Asiatic Boy, the lat- hope for the Kentucky Derby Presented by the victory worthy only of his current rat- (Carmen Rosas, exercise rider), and all the ter capping a wonderful night for trainer Yum! Brands (gr. I), landed a stunning dou- ing of 129. “The first four all ran to their team have done a fantastic job with him.” Mike de Kock. A. P. Arrow gave the Paul- ble with Diamond Stripes in the ratings, which is satisfying for handicap- Principal owner Jess Jackson, 78, son family, who of course owned inaugu- Mile - Sponsored by Etisalat (UAE-II) and pers,” Day said. “But there wasn’t any- praised Sheikh Mohammed’s stance on ral 1996 Dubai World Cup winner Cigar, a Benny the Bull in the Dubai Golden Sha- thing in the field in a position to give him medication-free racing and said he was great thrill. heen - Sponsored by Gulf News (UAE-I), N O M a real race. You can’t knock him, but he R anxious to start Curlin’s 4-year-old career The huge disappointment of the race both horses ridden by . Dia- A H didn’t show me the ‘wow’ factor.” E in this environment. “In America, we are was Godolphin’s Jalil, the $9.7-million mond Stripes a 5-year-old gray/roan geld- V A Some, it seems, are never satisfied, but D lax in enforcing the rules that exist, not yearling purchase at Keeneland in 2005. ing by Notebook—Romantic Summer, by

1844 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ APRIL 5, 2008 BloodHorseNOW.com B l o o d H o r s eNOW.com THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ APRIL 5, 2008 1845 Older female ■ CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS /3157 WHAT A ■ STATE TO TAKE OVER NYCOTB /3159 rivals no match ■ REAL ESTATE MARKET /3176 KNOCKOUT for ■ IEAH’S MEDICAL CENTER /3180

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CURLIN CRUSHES STEPHEN FOSTER FOES IN FIRST START SINCE WORLD CUP OUT OF THE GATE CRUISIN’ Curlin easily wins the Stephen Foster Handicap in his first start at Churchill Downs since last year’s Kentucky Derby REED PALMER PHOTO C HURCHILL D OWNS

‘Routine Brilliance’

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin returns to U.S. racing with a resounding victory in the Stephen Foster

BY CLAIR E NOV A K

n this hard-knocking world, we are Horse of the Year Curlin was poised to fill found daylight and not inclined to let an athlete rest upon the void. And the 4-year-old son of Smart made his move at the Race Replays at Ihis laurels. Greatness must be tested… Strike came through, delivering a riveting head of the stretch, BloodHorse.com C NORTH AMERICAN then tested again. But hope still springs performance that was everything his con- taking just one tap GRADED STAKES eternal, and that is ’s nections had hoped it would be. from rider Robby Al- greatest draw—the draw that brought It is difficult to overdramatize the man- barado’s whip before drawing away to win 1 1 fans to Churchill Downs for the $1-million ner in which Curlin won the 1 ⁄ 8-mile affair. by 4 ⁄ 4 lengths. To use Albarado’s descrip- Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 14. The facts speak for themselves. Saddled tion, it was “routine brilliance. With memories of Big Brown’s Belmont by trainer Steve Asmussen and assistant “He’s so manageable now,” Albarado Stakes (gr. I) loss and Eight Belles’ break- Scott Blasi and sent off as the 2-5 favorite said. “I guided him through there, he down in the Kentucky Derby Presented by under a 128-pound impost, the colt over- made the lead turning for home, and he Yum! Brands (gr. I) still painfully fresh, came a troubled beginning when he collid- just went on and proved he’s the best horse the racing industry was in desperate need ed with the gate at the start, then rated in in the world. He’s getting better and better of a hero. Returning to the United States tight quarters while along the rail despite every time, and it just scares me (to think) after consecutive victories in Dubai, 2007 his obvious preference for the outside. He how good he can get. We need a superstar

S O T O H P T D R A H R E B E . M E N N A Curlin, with jockey Robby Albarado easing up, crosses the finish line of the Stephen Foster Handicap

BloodHorse.com THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 21, 2008 3187 C HURCHILL D OWNS Stephen Foster (Curlin)

in this business, and I think Curlin has turf course in the weeks to come, his stepped up to the plate.” All-Time Leaders By Earnings connections plan to point him toward Judging by the reaction of the crowd Longchamp’s prestigious Prix de l’Arc under the Twin Spires, this colt is more Horse Starts Wins 2nd 3rd Earnings de Triomphe (Fr-I). than worthy of the title majority owner Cigar 33 19 4 5 $9,999,815 Preparing for that Oct. 5 event would Jess Jackson has bestowed upon him— SkipA way 38 18 10 6 $9,616,360 entail starting Curlin in a U.S. turf race that of “the people’s horse.” As Curlin Curlin 12 9 1 2 $9,396,800 the weekend of July 12-13. Major turf walked to the frontside before the Ste- events for older horses scheduled that phen Foster, fans and horsemen alike FantasticL ight 25 12 5 3 $8,486,957 weekend include the $500,000 Man o’ 3 stopped in their tracks to admire his 12 11 0 0 $7,804,070 War Stakes (gr. IT) at 1 ⁄ 8 miles at Bel- fluid stride and regal bearing. After the PleasantlyP erfect 18 9 3 2 $7,789,880 mont Park and the $200,000 Arlington 1 race, they greeted his return to the win- Handicap (gr. IIIT) at 1 ⁄ 4 miles at Ar- SmartyJ ones 9 8 1 0 $7,613,155 ner’s circle with a standing ovation. lington Park. Curlin would then ship “This is just an affirmation of what SilverC harm 24 12 7 2 $6,944,369 to Chantilly, France, where he would we felt racing needs,” Jackson said. CaptainS teve 25 9 3 7 $6,828,356 train and race in a prep before run- “We need more heroes. We need more Alysheba 26 11 8 2 $6,672,242 ning in the Arc.

Curlins. We need more racing fans. STATISTICS COURTESY OF EQUIBASE; NORTH AMERICAN-BASED RUNNERS “If we don’t like how he works on the And the industry will thrive if we get turf, then we’ll change plans and that back to the golden days of early racing, will have to be discussed,” Asmussen when it was a family scene for the fans and ings of $9,396,800, just $603,015 away said. “But right now, we’re going to plan for the sport, not necessarily for gaming.” from Cigar’s record-setting $9,999,815 in on working him on the turf, with the pos- Twelve starts. Nine wins. A five-race earnings by a North American-based run- sibility of running him on the turf.” string of victories that includes the Dubai ner. Curlin is building a legacy that should “I think (the Stephen Foster win) means World Cup (UAE-I) and the Breeders’ Cup only get better as the season goes on—for if more for the industry and fans than it does Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I). Earn- he works well over Churchill’s Matt Winn for me,” Jackson said. “He had to overcome a lot of challenges, but he always gives us everything he has, and he always has that Curlin finish. He’s going to be one for the centuries, we hope.” “What a spec ial horse,” Asmussen added. “It’s just an honor and a pleasure to be involved with him. To watch him come down the stretch when Robby asked him to lengthen his stride was a tremendous feeling. I can’t tell you what a fan I am of his; I couldn’t almost believe what we just watched, and the results speak for who he is.” Asmussen patterned Curlin’s return from the March 29 World Cup victory after the regimen of the - trained Street Cry, who aced the overseas test after a prep race over the Nad al Sheba Race Course, then returned to claim a 1 6 ⁄ 2-length score in the 2002 edition of the Stephen Foster. That pattern paid off, as did the work of exercise rider Carmen Rosas, who had breezed the horse inside company to im- prove his rail-skimming bid. Previously, Curlin had demonstrated a preference for the outside, a slight flaw that may have cost him the Belmont to Rags to Riches last year. In the Stephen Foster, however, the colt was boxed in on the rail—tucked behind slow opening fractions of :25.01 and :49.28 established by the pacesetting Barcola—until he found running room at the head of the stretch. “He looked very relaxed in Robby’s hands,” Asmussen said. “The first quar- ter was concerning, but Robby sensed that and moved him up to a good posi- tion about halfway around the first turn. I was very nervous until I saw his head peek through daylight at the head of the Curlin with Barbara Banke, assistant Scott Blasi, Albarado, and majority owner Jess Jackson stretch. When Robby moved forward and

3188 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ JUNE 21, 2008 BloodHorse.com Northern Dancer (Pyro) Fleur de Lis (Hystericalady)

the horse lengthened his stride, it just Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds earlier looked tremendous.” this season. After three-quarters in 1:13.41 and a “He ran a strong race,” said Asmus- mile in 1:37.39, Curlin drew away to his sen, who was particularly pleased with much-the-best score in 1:49.68 over a Pyro’s willingness to relax and rate off determined Einstein. That Helen Pitts- a moderate pace set by frontrunners trained turf star made a game move Texas Wildcatter and My Pal Charlie. from sixth to finish second by a nose “I’m just proud of how he acted. He over Barcola. The winner conceded was very confident and back to how he 10 and 13 pounds, respectively, to the was over the winter. I was glad to see runners rounding out the tr ifecta. it. Hopefully, this is the first step to a Grasshopper, , Jonesboro, De- very good second half of the year.” lightful Kiss, Sam P., High Blues, and Sixth at the start under Shaun Bridg- Red Rock Creek completed the order of mohan, Pyro quickly pulled into third finish. as the front two raced through early Bred in Kentucky by Fares Farm fractions of :24.88 and :48.83. Keen, out of the Deputy Minister mare Sher- but willing to settle as the leaders went riff’s Deputy, Curlin was purchased for three-quarters in 1:13.08, Pyro closed $57,000 by trainer Kenny McPeek at the gap on the final turn and made a the 2005 Keeneland September sale by move three wide. The time for the mile Midnight Cry Stables, the racing entity was 1:37.23, and by then Pyro was 3 owned by incarcerated attorneys Wil- smoking his competition to win by 1 ⁄ 4 liam Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Trainer Steve Asmussen had two big winners lengths in a final time of 1:43.53. My Jr. Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables pur- on the day with Curlin and Pyro Pal Charlie hung on for second, while chased an interest in the colt follow- Visionaire closed to get third. Illinois 3 ing his 12 ⁄ 4-length maiden romp at Gulf- guished when he delivered a victory in the Derby (gr. II) winner Recapturetheglory, stream Park in February 2007. Stonestreet $190,925 Northern Dancer Stakes (gr. III), the post time favorite, finished fourth after currently owns an 80% interest in Curlin. just two races before his elder stablemate a rough break. scored the Foster win. “(Pyro) was coming off two extremely PYROMANIAC It was gratifying for Asmussen to see disappointing efforts for a top-class horse,” Asmussen sent Winchell Thorough- a rebound from Pyro, whose promising said Asmussen, who will now point the breds’ Pyro out to work in company with 3-year-old campaign was doused first by a colt toward the $200,000 Curlin in the days leading up to this year’s 10th-place finish in the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. II) at Belmont Park July 6 as a prep for Kentucky Derby. He expected the older Stakes (gr. I) over Keeneland’s Polytrack, the $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) colt’s professionalism and focus to rub off then further rained upon by his off-the- at Monmouth Park Aug. 3. “He was a lot on his younger stablemate, and while Pyro board finish in the Derby. But the colt came sharper in this race and looked comfort- 1 finished eighth in the Derby, the lessons back with a vengeance in the 1 ⁄ 16-mile able the whole time. Scott (Blasi) did a he learned from Curlin apparently did not Northern Dancer, calling to mind memo- great job with him, doing a lot of schooling go to waste. The homebred son of Pulpit ries of his dominating victories in the and getting him able to run back here. He proved his career was far from extin- (gr. III) and Louisiana beat a nice group of horses today.” Pyro is out of the mare Wild Vision. He owns a 4-2-1 record from nine starts, with earnings of $1,174,063. HYSTERICALADY STARTS GOMEZ SPREE Garrett Gomez was the go-to rider of the afternoon, getting in the winner’s cir- cle aboard three of his six graded stakes mounts—and the Jerr y Hollendorfer- trained Hystericalady provided his initial 1 score with a dominating 7 ⁄ 2-length tri- umph in the $321,900 Fleur de Lis Handi- cap (gr. II). Sent out by owners Tom Clark of Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro, 1 and Hollendorfer in the 1 ⁄ 8-mile dirt test for older fillies and mares, the 5-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor added yet another graded win to an already-distin- guished resumé that includes the Humana Distaff Stakes (gr. I) earned at Churchill last year. Gomez was in the saddle aboard Hys- tericalady for the first time, who broke alertly and pressed the early pace set by Initforthekandy, going the first quarter- Pyro fires in the Northern Dancer mile in :24.78 and the half in :49.69 before

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WITH GOLD CUP WIN, CURLIN BECOMES THE ALL-TIME LEADING EARNER; $10,246,800 B ELMONT Money Man Curlin’s second victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup makes him the all-time North American leading money earner

BY STEVE HASKIN

en million dollars and counting. “First we’ll have to get him adjusted,” colt’s victory in the Having established a new earnings Jackson said over the phone from Califor- Aug. 30 Woodward Race Replays at Trecord for North American-based nia, where he was attending a charity auc- Stakes (gr. I) is now BloodHorse.com C NORTH AMERICAN horses by winning the $750,000 Jockey tion at his Stonestreet winery that raises open wide enough to GRADED STAKES Club Gold Cup (gr. I) Sept. 27, will Cur- money for children’s causes in Sonoma get the racing world lin now head for the $5-million Breeders’ County and the Bay Area. “But it is up to excited. Cup Classic (gr. I)? That is the question him whether he likes the track and the sur- “We haven’t avoided him (Big Brown),” everyone is asking, and judging from face. So, those are concerns we still have. Jackson said. “I don’t fault them for the majority owner Jess Jackson’s comments But we’ll consider it now that we’re past way they’ve handled Big Brown. But if he is following the race, and the colt’s quick this hurdle. That’s the next prospect for us truly going to the big race, we’ll have to see departure to California, the showdown and we’ll give it every bit of attention.” whether Curlin likes the track. There is al- between Curlin and Big Brown that ev- The morning after the Gold Cup, Curlin ways the Clark (Handicap, gr. II) after that eryone has been clamoring for looks as was on a plane to Santa Anita. So, the crack or the Japan Cup (Dirt, Jpn-I). So, we have if it just may happen. in the door that Jackson left following the to take them one at a time. I don’t want to

S O T O H P

I N E T S K I C D I P K S Wanderin Boy, right, makes a race of it, but Curlin eases past to score a three-quarter-length win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup

4812 THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ OCTOBER 4, 2008 BloodHorse.com Jockey Club Gold Cup (Curlin)

risk a horse of Curlin’s stature that of Smart Strike—Sherriff’s Deputy, we need in the gene pool. So, I am Top 25 All-Time Leading Earners by Deputy Minister, split horses being very cautious and doing my (with at least one North American start) and took off after Wanderin Boy, due diligence first.” through Sept. 27, 2008 who had been dogged by Merchant With his victory, Curlin pushed HORSE STARTS 1st 2nd 3rd EARNINGS Marine the whole way. his earnings to $10,246,800, eclips- CURLIN 15 11 2 2 $10,246,800 “I just let him find himself early ing Cigar’s mark of $9,999,815, Cigar 33 19 4 5 $9,999,815 and didn’t rush him off his feet,” which stood for 12 years. In his SkipA way 38 18 10 6 $9,616,360 Albarado said. “I let him take us only two years of racing, Curlin Fantastic Light 25 12 5 3 $8,486,957 into the race. He rated kind for me. earned $5,102,800 in 2007 and has Invasor 12 11 0 0 $7,804,070 He instills so much confidence in earned $5,144,000 so far in 2008. 18 9 3 2 $7,789,880 you when he reaches out with that “It’s very emotional for me,” SmartyJ ones 9 8 1 0 $7,613,155 long stride. He’s just an amazing trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I’m SilverC harm 24 12 7 2 $6,944,369 athlete. He knows what he has to excited and proud of everyone in- CaptainS teve 25 9 3 7 $6,828,356 do to win, and he does it.” volved with the horse. He’s had Alysheba 26 11 8 2 $6,679,242 Curlin swung to the outside and DylanT homas 20 10 4 1 $6,620,852 1 back-to-back $5-million years. JohnH enry 83 39 15 9 $6,591,860 pulled to within 1 ⁄ 2 lengths of This is what I wanted, for him to Tiznow 15 8 4 2 $6,427,830 Wanderin Boy as they passed the be the all-time money-winning 22 10 3 5 $6,312,552 quarter pole. Wanderin Boy still horse. What a great ring it has to Singspiel 20 9 8 0 $5,952,825 had some fight left in him, but Cur- it.” Falbrav 26 13 5 5 $5,825,517 lin was too strong for the 7-year- The enormity of the victory Medagliad ’Oro 17 8 7 0 $5,754,720 old. A confident Albarado never didn’t hit jockey Robby Albarado Best Pal 47 18 11 4 $5,668,245 went to the whip as Curlin eased until he returned after the race. “It TaikiB lizzard 23 6 8 2 $5,523,549 clear to win by three-quarters of a Roses in May 13 8 4 0 $5,490,187 1 really hit me when I realized I just length in 2:01.93 for the 1 ⁄ 4 miles. rode the richest horse in America,” Dance in the Mood 25 6 6 1 $5,456,107 Wanderin Boy, who has now fin- he said. “I’m sure the record will 12 8 3 1 $5,407,533 ished second in grade I stakes to High Chaparral 13 10 1 2 $5,331,231 be broken some day, but it’ll take a English Channel 23 13 4 1 $5,319,028 champions Curlin, Invasor, Ber- 3 helluva horse to do it.” LavaM an 46 17 8 5 $5,268,706 nardini, and Lawyer Ron, was 3 ⁄ 4 And the rousing ovation that SOURCE: EQUIBASE lengths ahead of Merchant Marine, 1 greeted Curlin after the race was who had 7 ⁄ 4 lengths on Mambo in one worthy of North American racing’s right to the lead and was able to set leisure- Seattle. first $10-million earner. “He’s deserving of ly fractions of :24.67, :48.79, and 1:13.08. After the race, Wanderin Boy’s trainer, all the applause,” Asmussen said. Albarado had the 2-5 Curlin in fifth, about Nick Zito, went looking for Asmussen. All the elements seemed right for Curlin five lengths back. Down the backstretch, “Congratulations,” he said. “We made you to break the record. He was back at Bel- Curlin seemed to lose his position, drop- run a little.” mont, where he had won last year’s Jockey ping farther back off the pace. Albarado Zito added: “Wanderin Boy ran a tre- Club Gold Cup; he was back on a sloppy bided his time and tucked him in behind mendous race. I was just hoping Curlin track, over which he romped in last year’s horses. When he asked Curlin for his would get a little tired, but he’s in a differ- Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park. move nearing the half-mile pole, the son ent league.” And his biggest threats were the hard- knocking Wanderin Boy, whom he had already defeated in the Wood- ward, and the 3-year-old Mambo in Seattle, beaten a nose in the Travers Stakes (gr. I), who had never run on a sloppy track. All day, there was a good deal of buzz about Wanderin Boy, a stakes winner in the slop, who looked to pose a major threat on the lead, espe- cially when horses on or just off the lead turning for home won every race except the Beldame Stakes (gr. I), in which Cocoa Beach came from last in a four-horse field to wear down heav- ily favored Ginger Punch in the final strides. Prior to the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (gr. IT), an anxious Albarado, already dressed in Jackson’s silks, stopped by the TV monitor in the tunnel. “I’m just hoping to get the Cocoa Beach trip,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking for. We’ve got a whole other race to go. I’m ready to go now.” Not as ready as Curlin, as it turned Golden Smiles: The Jockey Club’s chairman Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps (left) presents the trophy out. Wanderin Boy, as expected, went to jockey Robby Albarado, Barbara Banke, Pat Cunningham, and trainer Steve Asmussen and family

BloodHorse.com THE BLOOD-HORSE ■ OCTOBER 4, 2008 4813