Breeders Cup Classic set to run
By Jason Lucas • Oct 24th, 2008 • Category: GOLFCurlin could cement his name as one of modern horse-racing’s all-time greats when he chases back to back crowns in Saturday’s $5 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
After drawing the number nine starting gate, Curlin is a heavy favorite to take this prestigious event at Southern California’s Santa Anita.
He took the event by a massive 4 1/2 lengths at a wet and cold Monmouth Park in New Jersey last year, with sunshine and a firm, dry track predicted for Saturday.
But after winning on dirt last year, Curlin and jockey Robby Albarado’s biggest hurdle could be the synthetic track at Santa Anita.
Curlin has never raced on the synthetic surface before, a fact that has trainer Steve Asmussen a little concerned coming into the big one and a quarter mile race tomorrow.
But Curlin, the US ‘horse of the year’ and a superbly conditioned four-year-old colt, appears to have the class to win on any surface and he has trained well on the track this week.
Only one other thoroughbred, Tiznow, has won back to back Breeders’ Cups (in 2000-01) and victory would enhance Curlin’s already impressive resume, which includes this year’s Dubai World Cup.
His main opposition appears to come from overseas runners. Japan’s Casino Drive is undefeated and an impressive and versatile performer. He will start from post 2.
European imports, Duke of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator and Raven’s Pass also boast strong credentials. The first two of those horses are trained by Aidan O’Brien.
Some racing experts think Raven’s Pass, ridden by the legendary Frankie Dettori and starting one post inside Curlin at number eight, has the biggest chance of causing an upset. He could benefit from the artificial track as he trains and races regularly on the surface in England.
The colt enters the race on the back end of a busy schedule in Europe but trainer John Gosden sees the heavy workload as an advantage coming in against such a class field.
Raven’s Pass has had seven big races in quick time recently, but finally got the better of Henrythenavigator after three previous defeats in last month’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
But Raven’s Pass has never raced further than a mile, making him a somewhat unknown quantity at this level.
Jason Lucas is a first year staff writer for North Shore Sports, INC. The easiest place to find Jason is in the stands at University of Central Florida basketball and football games where he has spent many days since his childhood. Jason has attended thousands of sporting events in his life including the 2008 World Series and 2007 Daytona 500.
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