Curlin helps Shuffle Derby Lineup
Steve Asmussen and Robby Albarado Deal in Smart Strike Colt
Major prep races for the Derby wound down last weekend with Curlin, a Steve Asmussen trained colt ridden by Robby Albarado getting in a bid for the Run for the Roses.
As the 2007 thoroughbred racing season has featured a shuffle of Kentucky Derby contenders every week, or two, Curlin was the last victor the deck spit out, just ahead of Dominican. With the major Derby prep races ending last weekend, the two new players popped into the picture by a laugher and a nose, respectively.
While Dominican got nosey with Street Sense, the 2006 Juvenile champ, Curlin said goodbye to his rivals from long distance. Dominican nosed out Street Sense in the April 14 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and Curlin romped through the Arkansas Derby, winning by 10-1/2 lengths.
Colt has had No Challengers
Curlin, a Smart Strike colt, out of Sherriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister, galloped away from the field in winning the $l million 1-1/8 mile Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in time of 1:50.09. The unbeaten Curlin ran to a 5-1/4 length victory in his first career start in Februrary at Gulfstream Park in maiden special weight competition. He followed that with an unchallenged romp of 12-3/4 lengths to record his second win in the 1-1/16 mile Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.
With his Arkansas Derby triumph, he will step onto the Churchill Downs course unbeaten and unmenaced by any foe. He has taken a path similar to that of 2004 Kentucky Derby champ Smarty Jones, who also won at Oaklawn in the Rebel and in the Arkansas Derby and went to Churchill undefeated and kept that status intact.
1983 Kentucky Derby
In 1983, Sunny's Halo won the Kentucky Derby after winning just two prep races, the Rebel Handicap and the Arkansas Derby. Curlin's victorious campaign thus far may put him into a favorite's position at Louisville, along with still powerful Street Sense, and an all business Nobiz Like Shobiz.
In the Rebel Stakes, Curlin drew away from Officer Rocket and Teuflesberg. In the Arkansas Derby, he whisked off from Storm in May, and Deadly Dealer, who had led most of the way.
Curlin achieved his win in the Arkansas Derby as he had in his first two races, by settling off the pace, and then storming through the final furlongs. Jockey Robby Albarado continues to be impressed by the colt's ability as a lightly raced contender. Curlin has a long chasing stride and plenty in the tank.
Curlin is Kentucky-bred
The colt, Kentucky-bred by Fares Farm, Inc., has earned a whopping $802,800 in his modest career. He is trained by veteran horseman Steve Asmussen. Three stables, Stonestreet, Padua, and Midnight Cry, own the colt. Three interested parties, Jess Jackson, Satish Sanan, and George Bolton, bought into the colt's Midnight Cry Stable interest after his maiden race. Helen Pitts was a previous trainer for Curlin.
Two weekends remain before Derby Day, before the shuffling ends and the cards are spread for the real deal.
