by Pete Denk

Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables has bought George Bolton’s ownership in Curlin, bringing Jackson’s interest to 80% in the leading candidate for champion three-year-old male and Horse of the Year.

Jackson announced the deal on Thursday, saying that he and wife Barbara Banke had bought out Bolton for an undisclosed price.

“We could not be happier. To be part of this marvelous horse’s special year has been the highlight of our career in racing,” Jackson stated. “His consistent record of success in America’s most important races against the very best competition exceeded our wildest expectations. He’s a wonderful horse, and we believe he may earn the honor of being named Horse of the Year.”

Jackson said Curlin is in perfect health and will enter light training to keep him fit. With the breeding season approaching, the chances of Curlin racing in 2008 grow larger each day. Neither Jackson nor anyone in his camp would say if a final decision has been made to keep Curlin in training.

The three-year-old Smart Strike horse is with trainer Steve Asmussen at Fair Grounds. Curlin won six of nine starts this years, including the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1).

Midnight Cry Stables, the racing stable of jailed attorneys Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion, owns the other 20% in Curlin. Jackson and Bolton bought out former partner Padua Stables in a deal announced on November 6.

A Kentucky judge has granted a charging order assigning the cash value of all of Midnight Cry’s assets to 418 Fen Phen diet drug plaintiffs. The ruling did not give the diet drug people control of Curlin’s career, but any money he produces—via earnings or outright sale—would go to the plaintiffs.

Cunningham and Gallion were accused of stealing $64-million from their former clients’ settlement after Fen Phen was linked to a form of heart valve disease.

Midnight Cry purchased Curlin for $57,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. They sold 80% of him to Jackson, Bolton, and Padua after he debuted with a 12 3/4-length victory at Gulfstream Park on February 3.

Trainer Ken McPeek, who selected Curlin at public auction on behalf of Midnight Cry, has filed a lawsuit against the attorneys saying he is owed a 5% commission on any sale of Curlin. McPeek also says he was promised two lifetime breeding rights.

Pete Denk is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer