Curlin turns in final major move for World Cup

Curlin strides out in the desert (Dubai Racing Club/Monica Pinheiro) Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike) met all expectations during his Monday drill at Nad al Sheba Racecourse, posting his final serious work in advance of the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) on March 29. Sent out around 7:30 a.m. (local time) on a cool, breezy morning, the robust chestnut worked six furlongs in 1:13.54 with exercise rider Carmen "Carlos" Rosas aboard. The Steve Asmussen charge traveled easily throughout, reeling off his first furlong in :13.40 and his final furlong in :12.19. According to assistant trainer Scott Blasi, Asmussen's primary goal with Monday's workout was that Curlin get the first furlong in :13 and change and the last in :12 and change. "That's exactly what he did," Blasi noted. "(Curlin) is just in a really good rhythm right now. "It was exactly what we had in mind, and he galloped out strong," he added. "That was his major move for the Dubai World Cup, and I couldn't be happier with how he went and the rhythm he is in."

Although Blasi said Rosas "is a man of few words," the rider "is very excited

about how strong (Curlin) is -- he says he feels as strong as he ever has."

Despite that power, Curlin has learned how to focus his energy and has a keen

sense of what will be asked of him and how he should perform.

"He's a very intelligent horse. It's almost as if he knows what we're going

to do with him every day," Blasi said. "And as good as Curlin can feel at the

barn or when he is walking, when he is on the racetrack with a rider on his

back, he's as professional a racehorse as I've ever seen. When he steps on the

track, he goes to work. That's been a blessing in working with him, how

professional he is."

Curlin is being honed for the Dubai World Cup in much the same pattern

Asmussen used in the colt's preparation for the October 27 Breeders' Cup Classic

(G1), a race he won with ease over America's best runners.

Curlin has grown from this three-year-old season, filling out what already

was an impressively sculpted physique.

"He's just a stronger, more mature horse," said Blasi, who has worked with

Curlin since he arrived in Asmussen's barn last winter and who is overseeing his

training in Dubai for primary owner Jess Jackson and his Stonestreet Stable and

his minority partner, the Midnight Cry Stable.

"He's thicker -- and he's put on weight in all the right places. He was a big

horse as a three-year-old, but he's a lot bigger now."

Curlin will have one more timed workout before the Dubai World Cup, but it

will not be as demanding as Monday's six-furlong drill, Blasi said.

Meanwhile, five other American-trained horses worked on Sunday in the United

States prior to their scheduled flights to Dubai on Tuesday.

Dubai World Cup contenders A. P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) and GREAT HUNTER

(Aptitude) worked on opposite coasts, with the former turning in a five-furlong

breeze at Palm Beach Downs in Florida in 1:00.40 and the latter posting a

six-furlong work in 1:15, handily, at Hollywood Park in California.

The most sensational workout in terms of time was posted by BUSHWACKER (Outflanker),

who fired a bullet :45 for a half-mile at Hollywood, fastest of 28 moves at the

distance. Bushwacker is set to run in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen

(UAE-G1).

SPRING HOUSE (Chester House), a candidate for the $5 million Dubai Sheema

Classic (UAE-G1), worked five furlongs at Santa Anita Park in 1:00.40.