NEWS
Trainer says Curlin looked uncomfortable in Classic
Posted: Sunday, October 26, 2008 5:49 PM
STEVE ASMUSSEN
NTRA photo
Trainer Steve Asmussen said he knew Curlin might be in trouble when the field charged past the finish line for the first time in the 1 1/4-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park.
Asmussen said he noticed early in the race the four-year-old Smart Strike colt was not handling the synthetic Pro-Ride surface as well as he handles traditional dirt tracks. The trainer’s concerns were confirmed when Curlin flattened out in the stretch under jockey Robby Albarado and faded to finish fourth after making a bold, sweeping move on the final turn.
Curlin won the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic on a sloppy track at Monmouth Park and made his first start on a synthetic surface in this year’s edition of the Classic. His only previous start that was not contested on a traditional dirt track was a runner-up finish in the Man o’ War Stakes (G1) on July 12 on the turf at Belmont Park.
“Watching the race first time by, I was very concerned,” Asmussen said on Sunday. “It kind of looked like the Man o’ War. He was off the bridle. Very concerned.
“I think he had to struggle to get where he was, the first time by. When he went under the wire the first time, he was further back and Robby was nudging him forward. He works harder to go over it than he works to go over the dirt.”
Immediately after the race, Asmussen compared this year’s Classic, which was won by European invader Raven’s Pass, to a turf race. Asmussen said Sunday he meant no disrespect to the winner.
“No excuses necessary, none required. That’s what makes racing great,” Asmussen said. “No disrespect for a Breeders’ Cup winner. He beat a talented field and he deserves the congratulations that go with it. It was an outstanding job with an outstanding horse.
“Initially, I was disappointed that he didn’t win. Just not selfishly, but simply concerned how the horse feels and how the people with him do from that point.”
Asmussen said Curlin will be shipped on Monday from California to Louisville to join his stable at Churchill Downs. He has not yet spoken with majority owner Jess Jackson to discuss future plans for Curlin.
“Nothing has been mentioned to this point about what is next for him, other than those travel arrangements,” he said.
While Curlin was unable to score a repeat win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Asmussen said the loss does not diminish what he has accomplished. Curlin has won 11 of 16 career starts, including the 2007 Preakness Stakes (G1) and ’08 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), and amassed $10,501,800 in career earnings. This year Curlin passed Racing Hall of Famer Cigar ($9,999,815) as the all-time leading North American-raced earner.
“With Curlin, nothing is a consolation. We’re just proud of who he is,” Asmussen said. “He’s the first North American-based horse over $10-million and he’s just had a remarkable run.
“To do what he does and come back the way that he is, is extremely special in this day and age. He’s been a throwback from the beginning and he’s still that horse. He’s extremely durable mentally and physically, a very special horse. Our affections for him are not going to waver.”
