Curlin Ready To Win Man o' War

[Stevie Belmont]

Curlin will take on a field that consists of two BC Turf winners in Red Rocks and Better Talk Now. These two will be Curlins toughest foes, but are they good enough at this point to beat the top ranked equine in the world?

Red Rocks last win was in May in an allowance race in GB. In fact that has been his only win since taking the BC turf in 2006. Beating Curlin is a daunting task, and a daunting task for any horse in the world at this point. And in an interesting move, connections will add blinkers to the 5 year old for tomorrow’s race.

And the there is the consistent 9-year-old Better Talk Now who has earned over 4 million dollars on grass and is a BC Turf winner himself. He had a rough trip last out in the Manhattan on Belmont Stakes day. Better Talk Now will have to run one of the better races of his life to win Saturday, if Curlin shows up with his A game, and there is no reason to think he will not.

Sudan and Mission Approved will be the expected pace setters of the race, but both are out classed against the top ranked horse in the world. True Cause and Grand Couturier round out the field for the Man o’ War. Grand Couturier won the Sword Dancer last year at Saratoga, beating the top grass horse English Channel, but has been inconsistent and is far behind Curlin in the class department, as is True Cause, who has yet to win a graded stakes of any type in the United States.

Of course the only question that remains is, will Curlin take to the grass? His work on July 1, 2008 was superb, finishing in 12.20. Being by Smart Strike, who is a Mr. Prospector, the blood certainly indicates up top that the grass will be a non-issue, he should relish his time on it. In winning the BC Classic, he did so over an ankle deep muddy track at Monmouth, which is another indicator that he will run well on the grass.

Curlin will be the prohibitive favorite, and some will look the other way as he is trying to do something for the first time, but we are not talking about a regular horse, we are talking the number 1 ranked horse in the world, who has defeated the best of the best so far on dirt. I expect Curlin to make a powerful late run and draw clear to win the Man o’ War and go on in his quest to win the Arc in October. This is the first step in trying to achieve that goal.

As a betting proposition, I feel Curlin is a solid single in pick bets, as he is the best horse in the race, with great form with a tremendous resume. A win would give him his 10th victory in 13 starts, and it would be his 6th GI victory. Curlin is carving out his place in the history books with each strong win, and a new chapter will begin tomorrow as he runs on the turf for the first time. The big, muscular, powerfully built Curlin is closing in on Cigars all-time earnings mark and is ready to continue his winning ways. Belmont Park will be the backdrop for a thrilling day, as Curlin goes for glory on the grass.

[cindylou]

I am also excited about seeing Curlin tomorrow. He just looked amazing forthe Stephen Foster. Just muscle on muscle. I was amused about some of the nonsense that I have seen with regard to Curlin's move to grass. Please! Who could ever doubt Curlin after the mud at Monmouth. You have made some very good points here. Better Talk Now
did have a tough trip last time out. Ive been of fan of his for many years now.

[Playwithfire]

This field although not great in current form, is sure long on accomplishments. Kind of amazing to see 3 former Breeders Cup winners in the same field...that doesn't happen every weekend.

I love the old turfer Better Talk Now, but he usually does his best when he has a rabbit in the race, although i guess there could be a good deal of pace in here. Sudan is a Group 1 winning horse in Europe, and I would give him the best chance to "steal" the race and upset Curlin. It happened in the UN, and it happened out at Hollywood the week before (on dirt though) in the Gold Cup with Mast Track. Seems like these "marathon" races are won on the front more than you'd think.

I still think Curlin will win, he seems likely to get a good tracking trip and the first run on the leaders. I hope he travels to France for L'Arc.

[cindylou]

I too look forward to Curlin going on to France and the Arc.

[Barbaro06]

I'm not disappointed with Curlin's second place finish. Albarado didn't punish him when Red Rocks rolled to the front. Perhaps another try on the turf? Turf racing is much different from racing on the dirt--they quicken going into the final turn. The first quarter was run in :22 and change--on the quick side for the grass. The pace slowed after that. Don't know if that may have messed up Curlin. He did have a lot of ground to make up when the two leaders hopped to the front like two jackrabbits.

No matter if "the grass wasn't greener" for Curlin today...at least he took a shot at running on the turf. It will be interesting to see what the connections decide.

Good job Curlin!

[steward]

Maybe a swelled head deflated a little, and some sense was allowed to seep in. Kudos for the sporting venture, but get back to reality.

[Barbaro06]

What reality? Running on dirt, beating the same horses over and over? The swollen egos were in the Triple Crown this year with all sorts of gum flapping.

I would rather see a horse take on new challenges, yeah, kudos to the venture, but it wasn't as if Curlin got his arse handed to him. Turf racing is different than dirt and I say let him try one more time and then make the decision to go to the Arc. If he doesn't take to the surface racing, then go in a different direction with the horse.

[Hotwalker]

Before the race I read they want to run a prep in Europe before the Arc, wonder if this result changes any plans. Curlin seemed comfortable on turf and ran a good race. Red Rocks is no slouch and happened to be a length better today.

[BenB]

Just do not forget that the ground for the arc might change in very heavy gooiing, as that happens regular in october.
Fast ground conditions are only 2 out of the 10 meetings.
Most of the times there is more than just a twink of juice in the ground.

[horsenuts]

I suggest they try the Arlington Million next. He's proven himself on the dirt and he ran good enough today to think he merits one more shot at the top turf horses. If he runs big in the AM he could still make the Arc...... or aim for the BC turf at Hollywood.

I for one appreciate the sporting gesture of trying Curlin on the turf. Racing needs more of this. Kudos to all involved.

[steward]

Now that something has been demonstrated, I don't understand the logic of pursuing this course. The owners surely don't want another loss next outing, do they? So what will they do, find a softer race that will prove nothing? Or risk taking another body blow?

Secretariat's owner found things out the hard way. When beaten by a couple of older horses, she switched him to grass. She didn't put her horse's reputation in further jeopardy by running in the longer dirt races, she found soft spots instead. And not the DC International, nor the Arc. Maybe Jackson should heed.

There have been better American horses than Curlin who have stumbled at this kind of venture (Reigh Count, Carry Back).

Stick him in the Whitney and the Jockey Club GC. Then retired him gracefully.

[Barbaro06]

Very good and great horses will lose races from time to time. Too often we see owners and trainers tiptoe around the tougher spots (or put them to stud quickly) in order to retire their horses with their reputations intact. Secretariat lost five times in his career. When he lost to Onion, he was actually a bit under the weather. But he is still considered one of the greats of the sport.

Horses are judged by the horses they face in competition. If Curlin keeps running in soft spots against horses that are a notch or two below his level, the great hue and cry when he is retired will be "who did he beat?" Perhaps Mr. Jackson is not after how much Curlin's stud fee will be eventually, but perhaps keeping a very good horse around for people to enjoy, win or lose.

And yes, I say try him in the Arlington Million and go from there.

[Vindicated]

Now that something has been demonstrated, I don't understand the logic of pursuing this course. The owners surely don't want another loss next outing, do they? So what will they do, find a softer race that will prove nothing? Or risk taking another body blow?

Secretariat's owner found things out the hard way. When beaten by a couple of older horses, she switched him to grass. She didn't put her horse's reputation in further jeopardy by running in the longer dirt races, she found soft spots instead. And not the DC International, nor the Arc. Maybe Jackson should heed.

There have been better American horses than Curlin who have stumbled at this kind of venture (Reigh Count, Carry Back).

Stick him in the Whitney and the Jockey Club GC. Then retired him gracefully.

You do know that your final statement, is a decent part of what is wrong with racing today?
I for one, would rather hearald a champion that has had a game loss but whose connections will continue to try-than a horse that is put to stud the moment he has had is 15 minutes of fame....

True fans of the racing WILL continue to back Curlin's efforts....If not for the horse himself-then for the statement his people (and he) are making to the rest of the world that put their "great" horses to stud without a true challenge

[cindylou]

TO vindicated: AMEN!
Curlin did fine on the grass. He did not embarass himself in the least. Turf racing is different from dirt as was stated in earlier post here. I applaud his connections for trying him on the grass. He deserves to run in the ARC. CURLIN reminds me of the good old days of racing. When there was sport involved. Curlin is a treasure. Secretariat was put on the grass because he had proven everything there was to prove. Lucien Lauren also suggested it because he thought he might even run better on the grass.
Curlin is a great horse and great horses can run on anything.

[pfrsue]

Agreed with Vindicated and Cindylou. Curlin's first ever turf race was a Grade 1. He came in second to a turf specialist BC winner. He finished ahead of every other horse in the race including yet another turf specialist BC winner. Asmussun threw him in the deep end, and by golly, he swam just fine.