Curlin Go Bragh

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Inge — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:48:27 GMT

GO CURLIN!!!

I'll be cheering you on today, big, beautiful, magnificent, mighty Curlin!!!

GO CURLIN!!!!!!!!!!

Inge

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Inge — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:08:29 GMT

Good luck, mighty Curlin, today at Belmont on turf! I was your greatest cheer person at the Stephen Foster June 14 - most beautiful thing I ever saw! I came down from Michigan to accomplish my dream of seeing you in person, and what a beautiful sight - stunning performance from my favorite horse at beautiful Churchill Downs - my first trip there. And beautiful photos to take home. Thank you, Steve, for your blog - great job! And thank you to Asmussen and Jess Jackson for letting us Curlin fans enjoy our wonderful champ for another year - good for the sport for sure! I'm torn about the French campaign; I see all points! Should we share him with the world at the expense of not seeing him race in the US? Hard choice!

Good luck, beautiful Curlin!

GO CURLIN!!!

Inge

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Pam — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:17:29 GMT

Steve,

Your last posting - assuming the horse has a credible race in the Man O War and that The Arc remains the goal - suggesting Curlin's connections may be thinking in terms of getting the horse to France to acclimate at Chantilly (considered by many as the finest training grounds in the world), with a view to running the champ in the Prix Foy, in order for horse and jockey to get used to Longchamp sounds like the best way to go. Many thanks for getting us all together. Travel Mercies and Racing Luck to all for Man O War.

More on getting the "powers that be" to take note, after the Race.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Steve Haskin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:56:28 GMT

Thanks, Pam. If we do solve them here, let's hope some of the powers that be are watching. Brian, they wont go to the Arlington Million because it's a cut back in distance from the Man o'War and that wont help him prepare for the Arc. They want to get him to Chantilly to prepare him for right-handed turns and then get in a prep at Longchamp in the Prix Foy to get him and Albarado used to the course.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Brian A. — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:19:20 GMT

I can't wait to see Curlin race in the Man 'O' War. If he wins they should point him towards the Arlington Million then ship him to France.

If he stays in as a five year old, and has proved himself as a turf horse, it would be awesome to see him try for the Melbourne Cup!

Go Curlin, knock 'em dead in the Man 'O' War!!

re: Curlin Go Bragh

pam — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:37:47 GMT

Hi Steve,

Like so many who've commented, I am really enjoying your blog on Curlin's probable bid for the Arc, the next best prep race for him

(How about 10f Arlington Million) after the Man O War, your idea for

the Irish "Champion Stakes" and talk of European Racing in general[Listing of course conditions:

Good, Firm, Soft and Yielding].

I have been particularly struck by the enthusiasm for Curlin making the switch from Dirt to Turf and the ensuing discussions regarding the idea that the 2008 BC Races (topic of your next Blog) to be run on cushion track, will be difficult to weigh in terms of past BC performances.

I echo comments made earlier by Clay, Bellwether and Karen 2, who feel strongly about the fact that any surface needs to be properly maintained.

I was at the 19 June Subcommittee Hearing on "Breeding Drugs and Breakdowns", where the simplest and most straightforward testimony on the topic of racing surfaces, came from Hall of Fame trainer,

Jack VanBerg, who said:

"As for racing surfaces, they should be a good sandy loam and maintained for soft cushion. I do not think it helps for fans to be concerned about how fast a race is run. The safety of the horse should be the priority and not how fast the track is. On big days, most race tracks see how fast they can get the track. The surface should be maintained at the same depth at all times.

Jack had more to say earlier (I will email full testimony to SH) on medication and the idea that it would be in "the best interest of this grand sport and these grand equine athletes to abolish any and all medications - meaning NO RACE DAY threshold levels of Lasix, Bute, Steroids or any other medications".

Steve, my sense is that your blog is so good, we may just solve the industry problems right here!

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Steve Haskin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:30:57 GMT

Seattle, you haven't missed anything regarding my blogs, as I only started writing them a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for the comments.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

SaratogaAJ — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:11:34 GMT

Great article, Steve.

When I was a kid, the horse that made me a racing fan for life was Carry Back. Despite his humble breeding, the "peoples horse" became a star. He battled it out with many great runners, and actually defeated the mighty Kelso in 2 of their 6 meetings (even though it took track record both times to do it).

Anyway, his breeder/owner/trainer Jack Price was a real sportsman like Jess Jackson and tried the Arc. Despite a terrible ride by the European jockey, a bad trip, and a slow pace that did not lend itself to his come from way behind running style, he finished a respectable 10th in a 24 horse field, losing by a total of only 5 1/2 lengths.

But old Carry Back was no where near the runner that Curlin is. If any American based champion can pull off this enormously difficult task...beat the Europeans at their own game and at their own terms...it's Curlin.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Seattle RNF — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:10:27 GMT

Been on this site for years and wow what i've been missing by not reading the 'Haskin Blog' fantastic insight, excellent writing and paints the picture all bloggers/ writers strive for.

Now- Curlin is an absolute beast and was dominate in his first test back from Dubai. I applaud Jackson for not only racing this guy as a 4yo, but attempting such a unheard feat for the Yanks.

Hard for me to get behind Asmussen and his shenanigans, but this is a horse for the ages.

We'll see how he comes out of the Man' O War and that will give us a snap shot.

Thanks Steve!

re: Curlin Go Bragh

katsan — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:54:45 GMT

Hope it just dies period, BC is BC.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Blood-Horse Staff — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:25:16 GMT

Guys and gals,

Let's get the focus back on Curlin and the decision to run him on the turf, and in the ARC. This particular blog post is not the place to rehash the Curlin vs. Big Brown debate. I'm sure Jason Shandler would love to have that discussion over on his Breeders' Cup Chat blog. :)

Thanks, everyone!

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Huh — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:02:25 GMT

Since Curlin is France bound,that is the second hit to the Classic division in the past few week(Heatseeker's retirement). And unless horses like Frost Giant, Mast Track, and Presious Passion turn out to be stars, I think that a filly like Zenyatta or Ginger Punch would have a chance at taking the now weak Classic division.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

ctgreyhound — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:00:15 GMT

GOCURLIN: Excuse me...Eight Belles was hardly a "one shot wonder". Do your homework before you insert your foot (or is that your hoof?)in your mouth.

Racefan66: Those artificial surface particulates you speak of, they could impact race fans as well, especially those who hang out at the track level.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Maria — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:55:12 GMT

Great Blog. It was fascinating to learn about the high cliber European races. All the information and comparisons were easy to understand. I think Curlin has the versatily,ability, and heart to compete at European Group level. The only real challenege that I see is a more experianced turf horse getting the jump on him since they are great at realy running in the last furlong.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Splitsof12 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:14:51 GMT

Is Curlin the best looking horse I've ever seen? Yes. Is he the smartest horse I've seen? Yes. I have one word that sums up Curlin. U..n...b...e..a...t...a...b...l...e

He'll beat any horse on any track at any distance. He's is the most intelligent horse I've ever seen. The powerful chestnut, is so versatile it's insane. He can get the lead, sit off it, or close from ten back. I really feel like this is going to be the greatest horse that has ever lived. When I saw the Arkansas Derby last year, I was amazed at how smart Curlin was in just his third start. If you look at his eyes and the way his ears were perked up and pinned back when he was running in Arkansas last year, there was something truly majestic about the way he glided over the surface that day. It was flawless. For that one instant second, I saw a horse that was a true runner with unlimited potential. After that race Curlin became my favorite horse of all-time. Dropping the mighty Cigar to 2nd on my list.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Tommy B — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:05:15 GMT

This move to the turf is fascinating. Curlin's pedigree is better for turf than dirt, so I would not be surprised to see him run even better over it than dirt, and given that he has proven himself the best dirt horse in the world, we could see something really special. As to the Arc, it and the Ky. Derby are the 2 most widely known and prestigious races in the world. How can one not want to try to win it? As to Big Brown, please. Look at his times in the Derby and Preakness. He's nothing special.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

katsan — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:37:30 GMT

Let's not go there again with the BB vs Curlin throwdown, It got way too old on TC talk.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Monica V — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:03:00 GMT

Draynay is absolutely Big Brown's biggest fan. I hope the connections appreciate that. This is a horse that came in last in the Belmont and Curlin's connections are afraid of him! Whoa!

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Steve Haskin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:38:28 GMT

Ranagulzion (one of these days youre gonna have to tell me what that means), regarding Go Between and the synthetic Breeders' Cup, my next blog is already written and it is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on just that.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Julie L. — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:57:09 GMT

Curlin go bragh indeed, being 1st generation Irish I appreciate the reference and I think that the Irish Champion Stakes is an excellent idea but also understand that the owner and trainer are going for the "old" prestige of winning the Arc. Having a horse prove himself on both surfaces and with the ability to travel to other countries and win does show just how great a Thoroughbred Curlin is. I will be watching the Man O' War Stakes on television anxious to see how Curlin handles the turf and must say that with the way Steve Asmussen has been handling the training job with this horse that if he did not believe that Curlin could handle the turf then he would not run him on it, why jeopordize what you have accomplished, Asmussen is too smart for that.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

draynay — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:16:49 GMT

Shamfan ??? What older horses ??? Who ??? Are you kidding me? Frost Giant just won a G1 amongst older horses...lol.... he is a claiming horse !!!! Curlin ran and he was the only one to break 100 Beyer !!! What older horses ??? Give me a break please... You crack on this group of 3 year olds but at this point last year Smooth Air and Pyro are just as accomplished as Hard Spun. Curlin can go to France and get beat or he can stay here and get beat... why go all those miles to lose? They don't want to race Big Brown for one reason ...if they lose to Big Brown their whole year is a bust. They will NEVER under any conditions face Big Brown.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Karen2 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:15:12 GMT

Clay: I couldn't agree with you more. I hate polytrack and frankly don't believe it has proven anything. Horses race on dirt. They have raced on dirt for years and years. The problem with the breakdowns don't come from the track. Basically they are trying to put a bandaid over the wound instead of treating the real problems. As for Curlin being pointed at the Arc. I'm not sure how to feel about that. I will have to see how he does this weekend. It sure is a downer to read about all the legal troubles surrounding this horse.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Steve Haskin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:10:15 GMT

Patrick, my e-mail address is Shaskin@bloodhorse.com. I'm looking forward to your stories.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

JordanA — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:31:54 GMT

Ken, Oooh, how to be delicate here, umm. Steve is facing a major drug suspension, for the second time same drug. Partial ownership is in jail, majority owner has sued numerous entities and testified erroneously in Congress that owners have no reprensentation (TOBA?). Problems causing licensing issues. I just am having a little bit of trouble wrapping my arms around the connections.NOw it's a different story with the horse, thanks to Helen Pitts class, style, talent and a true sportswoman. Much like Big Brown/ Patrick Reynolds and Paul Pompa.

re: Curlin Go Bragh

Monica V — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:01:33 GMT

Draynay,

Do you honestly think Curlin's connections have opted to run in the ARC just to duck Big Brown? Do you honestly think they would go to all this trouble, expense and uncertainty to avoid Big Brown?

Do you really think that? I don't think they've even given Big Brown a thought. They are trying to do something no one else has ever done. Just how do you think the outcome of a race with Big Brown would be? Do you really think he can beat Curlin?