Horse Racing: September 2008 Archives

The day belonged to Curlin - the best dirt horse in the world, who became North America’s richest Thoroughbred by winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup.  “Beyond Cigar and into the record books!”  Tom Durkin would exclaim.

Curlin ran leisurely down the backstretch, started moving around the turn - Mambo in Seattle could not keep up and flattened - ran down the middle of the track, and was hand ridden by Robbie Albarado to the finish over a very game, pace-setting Wandering Boy.  Nick Zito, the runner-up’s trainer, said, Curlin is in a different league.  I take my hat off to him. He had to be that good today.”

During the press conference, when asked about the Breeder’s Cup, Barbara Banke, Jess Jackson’s wife, said, “We’ll see.  He just won this.  We’ll see how he comes out of this race. … We’ll wait for our wonderful team to discuss everything, and the course at Santa Anita is also a factor.”  The Breeder’s Cup was still up in the air, and the Japan Cup was mentioned.

Within 15 minutes of the press conference, Barbara Banke came down into the press box to specifically announce that come Monday morning, Curlin would be on a plane headed for Santa Anita, to “see if he likes the track.”

Well it’s about time.  Jess Jackson has been trying since the beginning of the summer to get Big Brown to meet Curlin on a traditional dirt course, but IEAH have not fallen for the bait.  They have always said that the Breeder’s Cup Classic was the goal for their Derby winner.  Jackson and company had to face the fact that they had to go to California at some point; I guess they figured the sooner the better, see if he likes the Pro Ride surface at Santa Anita.  If not, they have said they can go to the Clark Handicap at Churchill or the Japan Dirt Cup in the beginning of December.  But they had to at least see if their champion likes the track.

Either way Curlin is on his way to another Horse of the Year, unless of course, Big Brown proves to be a SUPERHORSE and destroys the Classic field.  I don’t see this happening.

Because I’m biased, and feel Curlin is the BEST HORSE IN THE WORLD.

THE UNDERCARD

IN THE BELDAME, I would have said was another “gimme” race.  Ginger Punch was supposed to be the ‘gimme’, was supposed to beat up on that field. 

Ginger Punch was leading the field all the way around, Lemon Drop Mom at her flank.  Ginger Punch shook her off, only to be challenged by Cocoa Beach, those two battling down the stretch, with Cocoa Beach finally winning by ½ length.

With Zenyatta winning today, I don't think Ginger Punch will get another eclipse, unless she beats Zenyatta in the Ladies' Classic.

THE FLOWER BOWL INVITATIONAL

Mauralakana was the favorite, not quite a “gimme,” but pretty darn close.  But it was Dynaforce, the 2nd choice, who lead most of the way around the soft turf, withstood a challenge from Mauralakana, and pulled away the last furlong.

VOSBURGH

Probably the deepest field of the Grade I races on the card, some very good sprinters were in this race.  But an upset at 23 - 1 surprised everyone, with another exciting stretch drive.  Black Seventeen fought with Fabulous Strike to win by a head, and paying $49.60.

Black Seventeen upsets at 23 to 1

JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC INVITATIONAL

Another good field, this race had no real pace, but the eventual winner, Grand Couturier, was a surprise to me.  He’s won 2 races since 2007, the 2007 & 2008 editions of the Sword Dancer at Saratoga.  He hasn’t won at Belmont, and according to past performances, hasn’t won on soft or yielding turf.  I liked this horse, but thought no way he wins this race.

And of course, he won laughing, by 10 lengths.