Curlin headed to Southern California on Sunday. September 29th, 2008
Curlin headed to Southern California on Sunday. To begin training on Santa Anita new synthetic surface in anticipation of a possible start in the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic next month.
The reigning Horse of the Year arrived without incident from New York in late afternoon and his first workout will be Wednesday, said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.
Owner Jess Jackson has said he first wants to test Curlin on the Pro-Ride surface before committing to run him against Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown and some of Europes top horses in the 1-mile Classic on Oct. 25.
Curlin won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Saturday, earning $450,000 and making the 4-year-old the richest North American thoroughbred in history, with $10,246,800, passing Cigars 12-year-old record.
He came out of the race great, Asmussen said before leaving New York. What we decide will only matter according to how he is on that race track. Were going to California to work him and nothing past that.
Big Brown has already been committed to run in the Classic and will ship to California from New York a few days before the race.
Big Brown is doing good, trainer Rick Dutrow said from New York. I was happy to see what I saw yesterday with Curlin, and I cant wait to get out there and put him (Big Brown) in the gate. Were as excited as we can be.
Santa Anita officials hope Curlins training goes well so they can promote a matchup of Horse of the Year candidates.
I think the American public is focused on those two horses running against each other, said Sherwood Chillingworth, director of the tracks Oak Tree meeting. This would bring much-needed attention back to racing.
The Breeders Cup will be run for the first time on a synthetic track on Oct. 24-25.