by Jeff Lowe

Trainer Steve Asmussen is proceeding with Curlin as if the probable Horse of the Year will be in his barn and not in the breeding shed in 2008.

For Asmussen, the natural next objective would be the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29.

While Curlin’s owners have not gone so far as to make a public declaration that he will remain in training as a four-year-old, the breeding season is rapidly approaching, and the Smart Strike colt is still with Asmussen at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Asmussen is beginning to build Curlin back up, after letting him down following a dominant victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) on October 27.

“He is in training until he isn’t in training,” Asmussen said on Friday. “I have speeded him up a little bit—I two-minute licked him on the 24th and I plan to do so again on the 31st.”

As things currently stand, the World Cup would be the appropriate target, Asmussen said.

“The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner should be considered for the Dubai World Cup, if he is in training,” Asmussen said. “I would be looking for a [prep] race before that, no more than one, and it would all depend on how quickly he comes around.”

Asmussen will keep a close eye on trainer Scott Lake’s entries this weekend as they battle for the national title for victories in 2007. They were deadlocked heading into Friday with 475 wins apiece.

“I’m only following it start-by-start,” Asmussen said with a laugh.

Asmussen may have the upper hand in sheer volume. Asmussen has 17 entries between five tracks on Friday and 14 entries between four tracks on Saturday. Lake has five entries on Friday at three locations and 11 entries on Saturday.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer