Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Melissa G — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:19:49 GMT

On the contrary, I think that Curlin deserves a chance on the turf. The Curlin camp is going to play it smart with the Arc. They’re not just going to throw the horse on a plane to Paris two weeks before the race. First Asmussen said he plans on trying him on a grass race over here. Then if all goes well he may potentially prep in a grass race in France before the Arc – kind of what they did in Dubai with the Jaguar Trophy.

After the Stephen Foster, Curlin really has very little to prove on the dirt against American horses. Do you really think Big Brown has much of a chance against this monster? Please. A matchup between the two would leave us feeling sorry for Big Brown. As for Jess Jackson, what’s wrong with wanting a little glory for his horse? The way this sport is trending, we may never see a horse with Curlin’s caliber race past 3. Jackson is making a financial sacrifice with the insurance he has to pay keeping Curlin in the races.

On a side note, has anyone else noticed how Curlin cocks his head to the inside when he races? Maybe it’s just me or the camera angle, but if you look at his Dubai World Cup you can definitely see it in the close-ups.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Karen in Texas — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:07:42 GMT

Mr. Jackson wants Curlin to be a classic horse in every way from the sound of his comments. I think running him at Woodbine would be enough to accomplish this, plus a few grass races in the U.S. No one questions Secretariat's credentials, and that's the path he took. Curlin is now an American treasure.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

BlueCollar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:24:22 GMT

Curlin is awesome. This horse is the real deal. However, bringing him to France for the Arc will be a HUGE mistake. He's not bred for that type of racing, and don't they run clockwise over there.? This is not a good idea, and I don't see how he can overcome all the diversity that will be thrown at him all at once. This will be an entirely new experience for Curlin, and I do not think it is a good idea. IMO, I think his connections are insane to attempt this, and Jesse Jackson must be trying to impress his wealthy friends by having an Arc trophy on the mantel. Why else would he want to run Curlin in the Arc. I doubt he cares if the people of France get to see Curlin or not, so there must be a specific underlying reason why he wants to do this. I don't see how this will work out by taking Curlin completely out of his element. This is craziness, and pure insanity.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

aspradling — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:30:42 GMT

I would like more horses to race to older ages, but there is lots of money in Breeding these days. I hope that people would be more secure with racing them later, with a decently sound Pedigree.

Arravale was taken out of the BC Turf race due to bad training of Somply Perfect for the race.

Apparently Simply Perfect's trainer never rounded the course when working out on the turf and went around the track and then off the track, not rounding the turn.

So Simply Perfect did what she was use to for the week, in the race.

That took Arravale and Precious Kitten out of the race.

Here are some video links:

www.breederscup.com/greatestmoments.aspx

www.ntra.com/video.aspx

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

WDK — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:05:08 GMT

Long live the Greatest Horse in the world on Dirt still running.....Curlin

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Wanda — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:42:50 GMT

What are your thoughts Adam on the news about Arravale retiring? It was a real shame that she got such a bad trip in the mare's BC Turf last year.The soft turf was to her liking and I was on her team cause she's Canadian eh.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Wanda — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:10:36 GMT

Tom I believe John's Call won a grade one at ten years old,correct me if I'm wrong.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

b. graham — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:17:33 GMT

i so hope that curlin goes unbeaten this year.maybe that would inspire people to run there good horses more than there 3yr old season.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

WDK — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:12:27 GMT

I agree with Steve on the weight issue. I think 128 is too much especially considering the layoff. That and this absurd idea that somehow the Stephen Foster is more prestigous race than the world cup. 126 is fine and that is where it should stay.

Having said that I don't think the weight will stop him if he's ready for the comeback. A win here, would leave no doubt what so ever that Curlin is the best Horse in the wolrd on conventioanl dirt.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Carol — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:50:53 GMT

I think the Stephen Foster should be a tremendous race, a lot of quality in there. I am rooting for Curlin but 'weight can stop a freight train'. Hopefully he can overcome it.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

aspradling — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:23:20 GMT

You're welcome for the update Five Star Farm. I wrote ESPN yesterday asking them televise this race and asked to follow Curlin.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Racingfan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:02:16 GMT

Thanks for the ESPN contact info Karen In Texas. I sent them a request to show this race as well as future top races. The reason the networks don't televise most of these races is they don't think there are enough fans to make it worthwhile. Why don't we all let them know that isn't true?!! Go Curlin! Hope to get to see you run!

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Five Star Farm — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:28:43 GMT

Adam- thanks for the quick update on the Northern Dancer. I have a soft spot for Pyro and hope he can regain some of his form.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Julie L. — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:14:08 GMT

Anxious to see Curlin in the Stephen Foster this saturday I will have to watch it on the television set though but hopefully if all goes well I will get to see Curlin in this year's Breeder's Cup as I live in the Los Angeles area so I will be at the Cup at Santa Anita. Not sure if there is any horse in this Stephen Foster field that can handle Curlin if he runs like he should. As we learned in the Belmont nothing is a sure thing in horseracing.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

BrianAppleton — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:16:57 GMT

I can't wait to see Curlin storming down the stretch to another victory!! He's #1 in the entire world. Glad Big Brown lost the Belmont, otherwise he probably would have taken Horse Of The Year away from Curlin, if they didn't meet up and Curlin whopped him. Go Curlin!!

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

aspradling — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:36:44 GMT

FiveStarFarm:

The seventh running of the $175,000-added Northern Dancer (GIII) is expected to draw three runners from this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) in Recapturetheglory (5th), Pyro (8th) and Visionaire (12th). - from the Churchill Notes

Pyro also worked:

Date: June 9, 2008

Track: CHURCHILL DOWNS

Distance: Four Furlongs

Time: 50:80 Breezing

Track Condition: Fast

Surface: Dirt

Rank: 19/26

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Bellwether / james satples — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:43:19 GMT

well lobby don't just say you will...@ least call them & let them know as i have been doing just that for seven years...the folks @ espn do listen & they are getting into Horse Racing more & more...Long Live The King!!!

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Karen in Texas — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:42:22 GMT

There is a programming question/request area at ESPN.com after clicking on "contact us" at their website.(Re:Five Star Farm's question)

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Five Star Farm — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:09:49 GMT

This is a bit off topic- but when can we expect to see some of the "also ran" 3 year old Derby favorites (I'm thinking specifically of Pyro) start to show back up in these stakes races? Adam, I also love Brass Hat and Einstein, but have to keep rooting for Curlin in this one. Finally, has anyone come up with a good address to contact ESPN about the race?

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

aspradling — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:59:27 GMT

Melissa G: I am absolutely all for lobbying ESPN.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Melissa G — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:39:41 GMT

I kind of forgot about Curlin after he ran second in the Belmont then finished third in the Haskell. Then he came back into the spotlight when he won the JCGC and the BC Classic. We should thank our lucky stars and Jess Jackson that we have such a talented horse that has not been whisked off to stud like all of his contemporaries from last year. Unfortunately I will not be able to watch him race this weekend because I don't have HRTV. Can we lobby ESPN/ESPN2 to cover more G1 and G2 races?

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

fasteddie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:32:08 GMT

curlin is THE horse! theres no one better right now. saw him at Belmont last year, and even tho he lost, he showed just how great he is.

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Paula — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:28:42 GMT

I find it odd that Asmussen kind of gets this additional purse money out of Churchill to add to t he race, then he complains about the high weight. Curlin IS the reigning Horse of the Year, and is the Dubai World Cup winner of the current year.

I think it would oddly serve Churchill Downs right if they didn't get Curlin, but instead Student Council.....

Churchill is desperate to get ANYONE of name in that race, and it looks like they set themselves up just royally this time to be squelched again.....

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

jj — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:52:24 GMT

Evening Attire and (On the subject of old campaigners) Perfect Drift both have great owners. Horses tell you when they're done. As evident from his latest race, Evening Attire is still in it to win it. He'll be fine :)

re: Stephen Foster's Lawn Care

Chuck — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:19:32 GMT

Have been on the Curlin bandwagon since last years Derby. Love all the older stars and am frustrated at the current trend towards the breeding shed after barely proving themselves. Watched Lava Man last weekend and was more excited about that than the Belmont debacle. Still love Big Brown but highly doubt he will thrill us next year with any racing action.