Handsome Is ... Curlin

An informal poll of the three Dubai Racing Club officials who have spent the most time observing the 97 horses from 14 countries who are slated to compete on Saturday's Dubai World Cup program has resulted in Curlin being chosen as the most impressive physical specimen at Nad Al Sheba.

Following are the officials and their comments:

Jim Cornes, stables coordinator, who hails from upstate New York and began his career in racing working for Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens - "Curlin, by far," he declared. "He's just a head turner."

Feargal Cooper, a native of County Wexford, Ireland, and a former stable manager for top Irish trainer Jim Bolger before moving to Dubai, where he now is manager of the International Stable at Nad Al Sheba - "Curlin. He is a very powerful looking horse."

Only Toni Hodge, who came to Dubai from her homeland in England to work as an exercise rider and who now is the manager of the Dubai World Cup quarantine complex, dissented. "Well Armed. He would be my favorite," she said of the big bay American challenger, requesting that her choice not be disclosed while Scott Blasi, the assistant trainer for Curlin, was in the building that houses her office.