Andrew Caulfield on French Classics HEADLINE ...p. 4 NEWS For information about TDN, DELIVERED EACH NIGHT BY FAX AND FREE BY E-MAIL TO SUBSCRIBERS OF call 732-747-8060. www.thoroughbreddailynews.com TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2007 EASY BREEZE FOR CURLIN CIRCULAR QUAY MAY RUN IN PREAKNESS Nine days after running third in the first leg of the Trainer Todd Pletcher yesterday indicated that Mi- Triple Crown, trainer Steve Asmussen’s Curlin (Smart chael Tabor’s Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch), sixth in Strike) breezed an easy four fur- the GI Kentucky Derby, may in fact longs in advance of an assault tackle Saturday’s GI Preakness S. It on the second leg, Saturday’s GI was earlier thought that Pletcher Preakness S. at Pimlico. The would be represented by only King chestnut, who lost his unbeaten of the Roxy (Littleexpectations). record after completing the tri- Pletcher’s announcement followed fecta under Street Sense and Circular Quay’s four-furlong work Hard Spun in the GI Kentucky over Belmont’s main track in :48.44, Derby, worked in :51 flat at which came in company with stable- Churchill Downs. It ranked 51st mate A.P. Arrow. “I worked him Curlin Horsephotos among the 54 works at the dis- Circular Quay with the Preakness in the back of tance over a track rated fast. Adam Coglianese my mind,” said Pletcher. “I'll talk to Asmussen said the move was just what he was aiming Mr. Tabor and we'll make a decision for. “He looked nice, smooth and relaxed,” said the [Tuesday] morning.” Circular Quay finished sixth at conditioner. “He’s still Curlin--a great big horse that odds of 11-1 in the Derby, his first start in eight weeks covers a lot of ground. He galloped out real loose and following his win in the GII Louisiana Derby at Fair seemed to come back very easy.” Curlin was caught Grounds Mar. 10. Some suspicions were aroused last through fractions of :13.20, :26.20 and :38.80 and weekend when Garrett Gomez, not John Velazquez, galloped out five furlongs in 1:05. Asmussen added worked King of the Roxy at Belmont. Velazquez had that he was pleased with how Curlin trained after suf- previously been named to ride King of the Roxy in the fering his first-ever loss. “I was curious to see, with him Preakness. never being beat before, how he would go back to the track,” Asmussen said. “But he was very patient, and HONOR AND GLORY that was the one thing I was really wanting to see--that Quest for Honor (GB) (Highest Honor {Fr}) made the he didn't tighten up or get nervous, or be somebody most of this short field to take yesterday’s G2 Prix that he hasn't always been.” While he’s looking for- Greffulhe Mitsubishi Motors at Saint-Cloud. Off the ward to seeing his colt get back to winning ways, mark at Clairefontaine in October, Asmussen said he didn’t feel that Curlin has to avenge the grey returned to finish third in his Derby loss to Street Sense and Hard Spun. "We're the Mar. 17 Listed Prix Maurice trying to win the Preakness--we're not taking a shot at Caillault here before failing to land a anybody," he said. "I expected him to win, but give blow when only fourth behind the credit to horses that beat him. He beat 17 of the best subsequent G3 Chester Vase winner three-year-olds at one time in his fourth race, and now in the G2 Prix Noailles at Longchamp we've got to figure out how to beat the other two." on his latest start Apr. 8. Reserved francegalop.com Curlin is expected to ship to Pimlico Wednesday. in fourth early as the field traveled in single file, he tracked Sunshine Kid (Lemon Drop Kid) Preakness Works through and was alive to that rival’s move at the quar- Horse (Sire) Track Distance Time ter pole. It took until 100 metres out for him to get to Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch) Bel 4f :48.44 the front and he had enough in reserve for the final C P West (Came Home) Bel 4f :47.24 drive to hold the staying-on Sagara (Sadler’s Wells), Curlin (Smart Strike) CD 4f :51.00 who ran greenly throughout. Click for the racingpost.co.uk Mint Slewlep (Slew City Slew) Pim 5f :59.80 chart or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. Chart, p3 www.juddmonte.com TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 5/15/07 • PAGE 2 of 6 ‘Mint’ Fresh and Fit in Pimlico Move... He’ll be a longshot in the Preakness, but Mint Triple Slewlep (Slew City Slew) indicated that he’ll be ready to fire his best shot Saturday with a quick :59 4/5 work at Pimlico yesterday. Exercise rider Christy Knorr was Threats aboard. According to trainer Robbie Bailes, Mint Slewlep accomplished the 6:30 a.m. work with ease. “I C P West Strong in Pre-Preakness Drill... thought he was walking,” said Bailes. “In fact, [Christy] Trainer Nick Zito has saddled 17 GI Preakness S. said she thought he was going in 1:04. That's what's starters in his Hall of Fame career, including 1996 win- so deceiving about him. He's does things so easy." ner Louis Quartorze, and said he feels confident about Mint Slewlep and Bailes, who is based at Bowie Train- the way his 18th potential starter was coming into this ing Center, currently have the Preakness S. barn to year’s event. Robert LaPenta’s C P West (Came Home) themselves, which suits Bailes just fine. “When they start feeding in, he'll already be used to everything. showed his readiness for Saturday’s Classic with a That's one advantage of getting here real early," he sharp four-furlong move in :47 1/5 at Belmont Park said. "I really wanted to get a work over the track. You yesterday, the second-fastest of the 105 works at the got the tents; you got the seats; everything's new to distance. "Everything went well," said Zito. “He fin- him." ished up in :59 and change [for five furlongs]. It was pretty much what we wanted.” Though Zito said he Pimlico to Honor Team Barbaro... had plenty of respect for the Kentucky Derby winner The Maryland Jockey Club yesterday said it will Street Sense, he added that his charge, who is coming honor 2006 Kentucky Derby hero Barbaro off a runner-up effort in the Apr. 28 GIII Withers S., (Dynaformer), who was injured in last year’s Preakness deserved a shot in the Preakness. “Street Sense im- S., as well as his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, pressed me in the [Breeders’ Cup] Juvenile and the jockey Edgar Prado and surgeon Dr. Dean Richardson at Derby, but they still have to run around the track," said Pimlico during Preakness week. “Preakness 131 intro- Zito. "[C P West] ran in the Breeders' Cup [sixth] and duced us to the courage and class of the champion he was second [to King of the Roxy] in the GII Futurity Thoroughbred Barbaro,” said Maryland Jockey Club S. at Belmont. He acted like a promising two-year-old, CEO Joseph A. De Francis. “People across the country and we're hoping he continues to improve as a were moved by his enduring legacy. Barbaro touched three-year-old.” Edgar Prado will ride C P West Satur- our hearts and reminded us of what an incredible ath- day. lete and tremendous inspiration he was, and still is, to legions of fans world-wide.” The Maryland Jockey Club had previously announced that the former Sir Barton S., © Copyright Thoroughbred Daily News. on the Preakness undercard, had been renamed The This newspaper may not be reproduced in any form or by Barbaro S. This Thursday, Pimlico will honor Prado and any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior Dr. Richardson with the prestigious Special Award of written permission of the copyright owner, MediaVista. Merit during the annual Alibi Breakfast. Before the Information as to the American races, race results and Barbaro S., the Wings of Blue, the U.S. Air Force elite earnings was obtained from results charts published in parachute jump team, will perform. One jumper will Daily Racing Form and utilized here with with the carry a flag designed with the colors of the Jacksons’ permission of the copyright owner, Daily Racing Form. Lael Stables, which will be presented to the couple in a winner’s circle ceremony. TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 5/15/07 • PAGE 3 of 6 P C L A S S I C C O R N E R P P R E S U L T S P Guard Has Curragh Aim... Monday, Saint-Cloud, France Fitri Hay’s Traffic Guard (More than Ready) is being PRIX GREFFULHE MITSUBISHI MOTORS-G2, aimed at the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas after his spell in i130,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-14, 3yo, c/f, 1 1/4mT, Dubai. Trainer Stan Moore reported the G3 UAE 2000 2:09.90, gd/sf. Guineas runner-up on course for a return to turf in the 1--@QUEST FOR HONOR (GB), 128, c, 3, by Highest Honor (Fr) May 26 Curragh Classic. “This is a very good horse and 1st Dam: Quest For Ladies (GB) (SW, $106,259), by Rainbow Quest his work on the grass in Dubai was fantastic,” he told 2nd Dam: Savoureuse Lady (GB), by Caerleon PA Sport.