Curlin cleared to make turf debut in Man o' War

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board on Tuesday cleared a licensing

issue allowing 2007 Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike) to return to New

York to compete in Saturday's $500,000 Man o' War S. (G1) at 11 furlongs on the

turf. Winner of nine of 12 career starts, Curlin is using the Man o' War as a

stepping stone to a possible start the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) at

Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on October 5.

Curlin has won five races in row dating back to the Jockey Club Gold Cup

Invitational (G1) over Belmont's main track last October. He later captured the

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Monmouth Park, and this year has scored victories

in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) and Stephen Foster H. (G1), the latter at

Churchill Downs on June 14.

"We are excited to host Curlin in his turf debut on Saturday in the Man o'

War Stakes at Belmont Park, subject to receipt by the New York State Racing and

Wagering Board of the necessary application from the court appointed interim

receiver," NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. "We appreciate the

efforts and diligence of Chairman Dan Hogan and the New York State Racing and

Wagering Board in working to resolve the licensing issues surrounding Curlin's

minority ownership to allow our fans to witness this historic event.

"It's a rare occurrence for a Breeders' Cup Classic champion to make the

transition to turf and we are looking forward to watching Curlin in his

inaugural effort on grass. We thank Curlin's majority owner, Jess Jackson's Stonestreet

Stable, and trainer Steve Asmussen for bringing Curlin to New York and for their

foresight and expertise in managing this outstanding champion."

While paperwork was being cleared for Curlin, who will arrive at Belmont Park

on Thursday, one of his chief rivals in the Man o' War was embarking on a

trans-Atlantic journey.

RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), winner of the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)

at Churchill Downs and third in the Monmouth Park renewal last October, was en

route to Belmont Park on Tuesday. He is expected to enter quarantine at Aqueduct

on Wednesday at approximately 12:30 p.m. (EDT).

Also expected for what is turning out to be a showcase of stars is 2004

Breeders' Cup Turf winner BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man). The nine-year-old

gelding, winner of the Man o' War in 2005 as a six-year-old, will attempt to

become the oldest horse to win the race. Yankee Affair (1989), Val's Prince

(1997) and two-time Man o' War winner With Anticipation (2002) all won the race

as seven-year-olds.

The Man o' War was originally a staple of Belmont Park's Fall Championship

Meet, but was moved to the spring meet this year.

"Moving the Man o' War to the spring gave better spacing for our turf races,"

said Paul J. Campo, NYRA racing secretary and handicapper. "In previous years,

we had three races in a seven-week span: the Sword Dancer (Invitational [G1]) at

Saratoga, and the Man o' War and (Joe Hirsch) Turf Classic (Invitational [G1]) at Belmont

Park. We found that schedule didn't really work. One of the races was always

getting hurt, and usually, that was the middle one."

It appears, at least for this year, the Man o' War will be one of the

stronger races of the meet.