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Horses Archive

Curlin’s Options Open

… said trainer Steve Asmussen after the champion finished second in the Man o’ War. Why not help owner Jess Jackson decide what comes next? Via the Paulick Report:

He’s not quite Uncle Sam looking for a few good men and women to sign up for the U.S. Army, but Jess Jackson does want something from the public: their opinion…. the California winemaker and Thoroughbred horseman is seeking input from both fans and horsemen in an online poll on where 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin should race next.

Cast your vote here, any time before July 30. So far, returning to dirt or adventuring synthetic trail continuing on turf, which is what I’d love to see, with a fall campaign culminating in a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup. Dana has a similar poll up on Green but Game; there, turf is a runaway.

Posted in Horses on July 16, 2008

Finally

Some good news from trouble-plagued trainer Rick Dutrow, reports ESPN:

Calls to Dutrow for comment Monday were not returned, and he has stated he’s sworn off interviews for a while.

Let’s all enjoy the peace and quiet.
Related: Big Brown was unhurried in his first workout since the Belmont Stakes, going five furlongs in 1:06.73 at Aqueduct this morning. As in his work before the Belmont, Big Brown drifted out going into the turn. “Nice easy breeze,” said Dutrow after. As for the quarter crack, “It’s all good.”

Posted in Horses on July 2, 2008

Curlin Takes to Turf

And Churchill Downs has posted video of the morning move. Or, I should say, has posted a video of Ashley Walker and Jill Byrne talking about Curlin trying turf, with snippets of the seven furlong work (in company, around dogs) interspersed among their analysis, but you can get an idea of how he went (very well, clocking 1:31.20) from those bits.

Posted in Horses on July 1, 2008

Dear Bill Finley

Are you kidding? Send Big Brown to the Arc?

We already know that Big Brown can handle the grass. He’s bred for it and he broke his maiden by 11 1/4 lengths on the grass last year at Saratoga…. And, obviously, Big Brown has the quality and class to beat a field of international stars.

Yes, obviously, based on … what, exactly?

Posted in Horses on June 29, 2008

Ranking Curlin

Jason Shandler puts Curlin at #7 on a list of the top 10 of the past 30 years, while Jon White crams the Horse of the Year in at #72 on a list of the 100 all-time greats. Me? I’m reserving judgment until his career concludes.

Posted in Horses on June 24, 2008

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