Curlin has been nominated to "Arc"

[Georgerz]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/ ... id=3390282

Will he ever run?

[FOS]

hi GeorgerZ

Curlin has been nominated to "Arc"

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/ ... id=3390282

Will he ever run?

I hope so.

That said...this past December 25, 2007 10:33 AM, I posted a response to Shergar's question...If he was your hoss, what sort of 4 year old campaign would you map out for (Curlin)?. It's re-posted in its entirety below...and some of the Arc-related commentary (and my thoughts re Curlin and his talent) is now bolded.

I sure hope Curlin's connections don't point for Dubai.

I would like for his connections to plan out a nice campaign for him right here in the States.

Where is Curlin based right now?

If he was your hoss, what sort of 4 year old campaign would you map out for him?

Regards, Shergar

If all options are/were to be considered for Curlin...I would like to think that the sky could/would be the limit...so why not consider a Bold Plan.

That said...imagine if Curlin won (in 2008) the Dubai World Cup...then the Arc (at Longchamps), and the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic.

It might be too much (if not unfair/unreasonable) to think (much less expect) that any racehorse could potentially handle such a challenge...but if any horse might be able to handle it/pull-it-off...I get a strong sense that Curlin might be one (maybe The one) that could. Based on what I've seen of him (thus far) I get a strong sense that he is potentially that exceptional.

I hope that Curlin's best interests are always priority-1...but I also hope that the bar (related to his racing career) is set very high. Why? Because (for starters) I get a strong sense (based on what I've seen thus far) that the talent, temperment, prowess and gifts (if you will) that he possesses are that rare/exceptional/special. Continuing the thought...Curlin is (to my way of thinking) potentially a horse for the ages.

With that in mind...imagine, just imagine, if Curlin raced in the World Cup...the Arc...and the BC Classic (all in 2008). WOW!!!

If he performed well in all three (maybe even winning and/or placing in all three)...would Curlin be considered by some (if not many/most) to be among The Greatest Racehorses (if not The Greatest Racehorse) of All Time?

If the World Cup, Arc and BC Classic is too bold a plan (for 2008)...why not start Curlin off in 2008 in the USA...then send him (with the Arc in mind) to France well in advance (to become acclimated etc) of the race, and then after his Arc effort (and maybe his win) return him to the USA (to reacclimate and hopefully prepare) for a run in the 2008 BC Classic?

Think about it...if Curlin participated in the historic mile and a half Arc (over Longchamp's legendary course) how exciting might it be to see him take on that challenge? I can only imagine the excitement that would be generated internationally; arguably it could be unlike anything we've seen/experienced. Imagine if he won...WOW!!!

Bottom line...Curlin is (to my way of thinkng) potentially a horse for the ages...so why not consider a Bold Plan, and maybe take on a challenge worthy a horse for the ages?

If offered a Bold (out of the box, if you will) plan/opportunity...Curlin might make a case (for himself) that he's among (and maybe The) Greatest of All Time.

I might suggest that Team Curlin consider ALL possible options...and avail him an opportunity worthy a potential Horse for The Ages. I sense that Curlin's potentially that special.

Well...the GREAT Curlin did win the 2008 Dubai World Cup, crushing all comers. Will he strut his stuff in the Arc...then maybe the BC Classic (again)? I for one hope so.

To my way of thinking...Curlin is one GREEEEEEEAT racehorse ! ! !

Thoughts?

Respectfully

[BenB]

I would love seeiing Curlin competing in the Arc.
And yep it is a race with weights for age, it,s something else than an
handicap grade 1. So no burden of weight

He can act big without the need of medication,s as he proved in Dubai and the rules in France are the same or even tighter than in Dubai so why not.

The japanese already found out in their last attempt, by the use of an prohibited part in an ordinary nosespray.
Losing third place retourning the money and a lot of extra costs.

[Heidilady]

I don't suppose there's a "world's richest synthetic surface" race for him to point to next? He seems to be hitting the other highlights in no short order. Would've been grand to see Barbaro do the Arc like they imagined him doing way back when. I wish Curlin well if he does go. Gotta admit, he may be trained by Asmussen but if he's really running without the standard "help" offered up in the States, more power to'im. Jackson loves to show him off eh? If Big Brown does pull off the you-know-what, please say we'll get to see these two meet. Of course BB's feet need to hold up. Cross your fingers.

[Barbaro06]

I was quite thrilled to hear that Curlin would be nominated to the Arc. Why not? His best two rivals are off making babies, so why not prove to be the best of his generation. I like the idea and would love to see him run on grass.

[FOS]

hello Heidilady...hi Barbaro06

If Big Brown does pull off the you-know-what, please say we'll get to see these two meet.

Let's play the hypothetical game.

If Big Brown wins the Triple Crown, and Horse of the Year Curlin...the superstar, monster (compliment intended) that he is (at least to my way of thinking) wins both the Dubai World Cup and the Arc (this year)...and both teams are thinking BC Classic...and both horses are at the peak of health, condition, fitness etc etc, and both are sound as a dollar (how sound is the dollar though?) plus are at the top of their games...and their paths converge in the BC Classic...that'd be a race that I expect would likely attract HUUUUUGE interest and the largest BC audience/viewership ever.

Hold your horses though...I'm not so sure that Team Big Brown (if BB did in fact win the Triple Crown) would actually want to hook Curlin (the seasoned monster that he is). Why? Because (to my way of thinking) Team BB would NOT want to risk having their star Big Brown defeated (or worse, trounced) by "C" ...and likely see their chances at HOY honors fade (possibly to black).

Of course BB's feet need to hold up.

A lot more than his feet will need to hold up if/when BB takes on Curlin.

I was quite thrilled to hear that Curlin would be nominated to the Arc. Why not? His best two rivals are off making babies, so why not prove to be the best of his generation.

Best of his generation? Seems to me that Curlin is in the process of proving that he is a Racehorse For The Ages.

Best.

Respectfully

[Sam]

Let's not get lost in the hyperbole, FOS, okay?

Curlin is an exceptional horse, but far from the superhorse you're building him up to be. He's not even the first (or even the second) horse to win the BCClassic and DWC.

As for a potential hook-up between Curlin and Big Brown -- if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown (and I doubt very much that he will) the insurance companies will basically force him into retirement. The premiums to run him will be far too high.

Like I said, people should stop wishing for a TC winner because if you think he'll run after that, let alone as a 4yo, you're not dreaming -- you're delusional.

[Barbaro06]

FOS...

I was being humble in regards to Curlin....

I got to see him in the Preakness last year and I will never forget seeing him charge down that stretch to collar Street Sense. I had the sports page from the Baltimore Sun the day after the race framed for posterity....what a wise investment!

[erins isle]

It is always a great thing when horses from other parts of the world come to the Arc!! I would love seeing Curlin at Longchamps.

Remember: 1999: El Condor Pasa from Japan ran close second in Montjeu's race.

[Dave C]

I thought I'd read that Curlin was being pointed away from the BC Classic because it's on the synthetic. Running in the Arc actually makes alot more sense than running in the BC anyways. He hasn't been retired to stud already because his value as a sire is limited. A win in the Arc combined with his win in the DWC and BC Classic will give his offspring broad international appeal and therefore raise the stud fee that can be charged for his first few crops. If I were managing him, definitely I would be looking to keep him international to ensure he is exposed to as many potential horse buyers as possible. JMHO

[FOS]

hi erin's isle

It is always a great thing when horses from other parts of the world come to the Arc!! I would love seeing Curlin at Longchamps.

Agreed.

Remember: 1999: El Condor Pasa from Japan ran close second in Montjeu's race.

Yes I do remember, but how time flies; seems like yesterday (okay, last week ).

It was a fantastic/exciting race.

Respectfully

[wallinga]

I was quite thrilled to hear that Curlin would be nominated to the Arc. Why not? His best two rivals are off making babies, so why not prove to be the best of his generation. I like the idea and would love to see him run on grass.

He may find horses like Getaway, Duke of Marmalade and whatever three year olds are firing a bit of competition on the turf!

[choking]

I thought I'd read that Curlin was being pointed away from the BC Classic because it's on the synthetic. Running in the Arc actually makes alot more sense than running in the BC anyways. He hasn't been retired to stud already because his value as a sire is limited. A win in the Arc combined with his win in the DWC and BC Classic will give his offspring broad international appeal and therefore raise the stud fee that can be charged for his first few crops. If I were managing him, definitely I would be looking to keep him international to ensure he is exposed to as many potential horse buyers as possible. JMHO

AFAIK, Pyro was the one being pointed away from synthetics. I'm a lil foggy atm but didn't Curlin win over polytrack last year?

[UmmYeah]

Seems more and more like the Arc is becoming a distinct possibility: http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/45743.htm

[horsenuts]

Doesn't seem to be any enthusiasm from the Curlin camp for the BCC being run on Polytrack(or whatever synthetic surface they have at Santa Anita). Makes me wonder if they haven't worked Curlin a time or two over the synthetic at Keeneland or elsewhere and didn't like what they saw. Unfortunately, synthetics are really going to turn racing upside down especially the breeding end of things. A horse can be a 'monster' on dirt but mediocre on synthetic and vice versa.