Curlin might not be the King of Pop, but he is the King of Romp. I am determined to go to Churchill Downs Saturday to watch the ruling power of the race course in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I).
It is also the fact he is racing against other favorites of mine that I am excited about, Einstein and Brass Hat! Not to mention Thorn Song, another favorite, has raced against Einstein a few different times and just won this past weekend at Churchill Downs. He just happened to beat Obi Wan Kenobi in his Churchill Downs race. In the race before, Thorn Song finished off the board behind Einstein in the Woodford Turf Classic (Gr. IT) on Derby Day.
Caption: Einstein after Woodford Reserve Turf Classic
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Now, like old friends in various touring bands, they get to play together in the same venue. I will continue to state how much I love turf racing, way more than dirt. But to see the royalty of the racing world against good competition on the dirt...even though it is a week late, that is a birthday present worth accepting without a doubt. The significant revelation made to me about this race is that Einstein is leaving the grass to play in the dirt.
How will the turf oriented power house run against the versatile Brass Hat and the ever dominating Curlin? I want to see how well he does. What a great thing it would be to see Einstein prove himself on the dirt and hit the board!
Brass Hat is a grade I winner on dirt, a stakes winner on Polytrack and grade II-placed on turf. I first heard his name when I started at Blood-Horse last July. Then followed his name and career through today.
Truth be told, Einstein may not race in the Stephen Foster, but one can hope and pray. He was ready to race in the June 7 Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT) prior to the whole liscensing issue a week or so ago. So if he is ready, let's let him greet Curlin at the starting gate.
Read up on Churchill Downs release on the race here.
Video: Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (Gr. I) 2008
Video: FAIR GROUNDS, 2007-03-10, Race 7
Einstein:
Woodford Turf Classic - May 3, 2008 (as seen on youtube video): http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=32323
Maker's Mark Mile - April 11, 2008: http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=31838
Gulfstream Turf S. - Feb. 23, 2008: http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=31046
Muniz H. - March 10, 2007 (same as youtube video): http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=23983
Gulfstream BC Turf: http://www.ntra.com/video.aspx?id=16602
I could just as easily not mention the videos of Curlin or Brass Hat, but you can find their races on YouTube or RaceReplays.com also.
Caption: Funny Typo in Thorn Song's Paddock Sign Prior to Woodford Turf Classic
Photo: Amidala
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Update:
Curlin Expected to Make Stephen Foster (Preview)
Three Derby horses are also set to run in the Northern Dancer. Pyro, Recapturetheglory, and Visionaire are listed.
