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Curlin remains unbeaten with a stylish score
(Jeff Coady/Coady Photography) |
Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables, George Bolton and Midnight Cry Stables' CURLIN (Smart Strike)
swept to the lead turning for home and impressively spurted clear to take the
$300,000 Rebel S. (G3)
by 5 1/4 lengths at Oaklawn on Saturday. Tracking in
midpack while wide early under Robby Albarado, the talented sophomore got his
cue approaching the final turn and the colt responded, cruising to the lead
under minor urging before pulling away to the facile win, stopping the teletimer
in 1:44 3/5 for 1 1/16 miles over the fast track. The Steve Asmussen trainee was sent off as the 5-2
second choice and rewarded backers with mutuels of $7.40, $4 and $3.40, while
keying the $34.20 exacta, $67.80 trifecta ($1) and $362.40 superfecta ($1).Officer Rocket (GB) (Officer) advanced on the inside up the backstretch, lost
momentum as the field straightened for home, and came again to finish a clear
second as the 3-1 third choice. The runner-up paid $3.80 and $3.20 while 2 1/2
lengths clear of third. Teuflesberg (Johannesburg) broke tardily but recovered
well to earn the show spot, worth $3.80 at 5-1. Going Ballistic (Lite the Fuse)
closed from well back to finish fourth, concluding the superfecta at 18-1, and
was trailed by U D Ghetto (Honour and Glory), Wannabeinclued (Include), Xchanger
(Exchange Rate), 9-5 favorite Flying First Class (Perfect Mandate) and Sumac (Crafty
Prospector).
Curlin made up for his inexperience by displaying his abundance of talent,
remaining unbeaten from two starts. The flashy colt, who was exiting an electric
12 3/4-length debut win at Gulfstream, now boasts $202,800 in earnings.
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