by Pete Denk

Horse of the Year Curlin walked in front of the grandstand, over a red carpet, and into the paddock prior to the fifth race at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Majority owner Jess Jackson said Curlin will be pointed for the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill on June 14 for his next start.

The four-year-old Smart Strike horse won the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29 in his most recent effort.

“Churchill thought it would be wise to show him at the Derby, and we agreed,” Jackson said. “The likelihood is that he will race here later, so we decided to put him through a training. He’s on schedule again. He’s the most consistent horse in terms of travel and recovery.”

Jackson hesitated to talk about what other races Curlin might run this year, but he clearly has some ideas.

“I’d love to go to some places that haven’t been showing Kentucky off,” Jackson said. “That’s why we went to Dubai. Planting the American flag there was important. I’m a patriot, and I think we need a little boost for Kentucky, for the USA, particularly in the Middle East.

“That was the primary purpose we went to Dubai. It wasn’t about money. It was about the horse having a chance to share the honors and have a legacy. And today I wanted to show him off in Kentucky. That’s where he was born. Kentucky should be very proud that we’re still the center of the equine industry worldwide.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Curlin will remain stabled at Churchill for now.

“He’s training here, and I’d like to put him in position [to run in the Stephen Foster],” Asmussen said.

Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times