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Curlin arrives back at Churchill Downs
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Curlin is escorted to the barn by assistant trainer Scott Blasi
(Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography) |
Reigning Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike) is back in familiar
surroundings at Churchill Downs following a Monday flight from Southern
California and the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita.North America's all-time earnings leader returned to the track around 5 p.m.
(EDT) and was led off a van by assistant trainer Scott Blasi as trainer Steve
Asmussen looked on. The chestnut colt finished fourth to European star Raven's
Pass (Elusive Quality) in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) over Santa
Anita's Pro-Ride surface.
Asmussen said Curlin came out of his setback in good shape, but immediate
plans for his future have not been set. He said no decision has been made on
whether Curlin's unsuccessful bid to repeat last year's Classic victory at
Monmouth Park would be the last race of the colt's stellar career.
"Absolutely not," Asmussen said. "The only thing that has been discussed was
his travel arrangements back here to Kentucky. We made it back, we'll relate
where he's at now, walk him, pet on him a little while, give him a little lovin',
and leave it at that."
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Majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Farm could decide to send Curlin
on to a new career as a stallion or continue with his career on the track.
Asmussen is ready for to proceed with either decision.
"I have nothing but admiration for the horse," he said. "You hate to see him
get beat in any way, shape or form. Mr. Jackson's quite the sportsman. He left a
lot of money on the table to bring him back (to race in 2008) and he tried
different things with him, like the turf in New York and the synthetic track
there (at Santa Anita). He's a true sportsman. The fans wanted to see him run
and Mr. Jackson allowed that to happen."
While decisions are being made on Curlin's future, the colt will get to enjoy
some relaxing days in Asmussen's barn at Churchill Downs.
"Right now he's going to walk from this trip," he said. "We'll discuss what's
going to happen. We could possibly put him under tack in the shed. We'll just
keep him happy."
Curlin earned $255,000 for his fourth-place finish in the Classic, which
lifted his career earnings to $10,501,800. His career record stands at
16-11-2-2.
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