Under the supervision of majority owner Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen, reigning Horse of the Year Curlin worked five furlongs in 59.12 breezing, between races four and five Monday at Santa Anita in preparation for a defense of his
title in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic here on October 25.
Curlin works between races at Santa Anita.
The work was performed in company, as Curlin and stablemate Hawaii Calls came onto Santa Anita's Pro-Ride synthetic main track at the top of the stretch in the quarter-mile chute. Curlin, with exercise rider Carlos Rosas up, and Hawaii Calls, with top jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard, jogged under the wire and then galloped to the 5/8 pole, where Hawaii Calls broke off from the rail two lengths in front of Curlin. Curlin tracked Hawaii Calls to the far turn and easily assumed command through fractions of 23.56 and 47.09, striding out well at the wire and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.14.
Trainer Steve Asmussen said, "I'm extremely pleased with the way he worked and galloped out. Carlos let him gallop out a quarter mile and let him pull up. He was strong at every pole."
Tuesday afternoon, which was also the deadline for pre-entries into the Breeders' Cup World Championships, in a National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference Jackson said, "Everything is a go. Curlin showed yesterday that he can handle the (surface). It's a bit faster than any surface we've run on and that worries me a bit. It gives horses with less durability a chance to compete against him. This would add just one more dimension to the horse."
Curlin with exercise rider Carlos Rosas up and assistant trainer Scott Blasi aboard the pony horse Pancho.
Curlin, who has never finished worse than third in 15 career starts, has 11 wins and earnings of $10,246,800 making him the richest North American-based Thoroughbred of all-time.
Thanks to Marcie Heacox for the photos!
Breeders' Cup quick links:
2011 Breeders' Cup Entries and Post Positions - Final entries were taken and post positions drawn on Monday for the 15 races on November 4-5 at Churchill Downs. Lots of info about the Breeders' Cup, each race, and links to profiles for all the horses with post positions, morning line odds, and free past performances.
Thursday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 35 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, including Goldikova who actually galloped, Drosselmeyer, and Gio Ponti. Very few repeats from previous days.
Wednesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 57 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs, including Havre de Grace, juvenile Speightscity who had a bullet work, and Game on Dude. All different horses from Tuesday!
Tuesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 41 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, including Mile favorite Goldikova, Turf favorite Sarafina, and Juvenile favorite Union Rags.
Review: Crushing the Cup 2011 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Churchill Downs updated for 2011.
Breeders' Cup 360 - 'The Bettor's Inside Source' for all things Breeders' Cup handicapping
The Breeders' Cup Championship Day - The official page for the Breeders' Cup championship races. Just about anything you need to know about it: results, video clips, and race calls for past years, and eventually nominations, entries, and results.
European News - the latest on the Euro contenders from Sporting Life
Saturday Breeders' Cup Results - Goldikova became the first horse to win three Breeders' Cup races with her victory in the Mile. Zenyatta came up a head short in her quest for a 20th consecutive win when she was unable to catch Blame in the Classic. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 8 races here.
Friday Breeders' Cup Results - Unrivaled Belle held off the late close of Blind Luck to win the first Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic run at night. Also on the card, Shared Account won the Filly and Mare Turf, Awesome Feather won the Juvenile Fillies, Dubai Majesty won the Filly and Mare Sprint, More Than Real won the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Eldaafer won the Marathon. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
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