Sports & Recreation

Facts About Curlin

Curlin

2007 Champion 3-Year Old Colt
2007 Horse of the Year

Foaled: March 25, 2004
Sire: Smart Strike
Dam: Sherriff's Deputy

Career Earnings: $9,496,800

Race Record: 13 Starts (9-2-2)

Click here to see a chart of Curlin's lifetime past performances from the Daily Racing Form.

Check Out Curlin's Family History

Thoroughbred Pedigree Database: Click here if you would like to see from where Curlin got his talents!

Curlin Conjures Memories of Secretariat

The Superstar We've Been Waiting For!

Big Red...My Hero!

Mentioning another horse's name in the same breath as Secretariat is not something I take lightly.

Secretariat is my all-time favorite racehorse -- bar none. The fact that no horse to this day has come within 2 seconds of his 1 1/2 mile World Record time of 2:24 in the Belmont still astounds me.

The Greatest Race of All Time

Secretariat's Belmont

Visit the following link to visit the official homepage of Secretariat, where you can buy awesome limited edition memorabilia and learn about all things Secretariat!
Secretariat.com

Whether Secretariat ran on dirt, turf, or broken glass, it did not matter. He accomplished so much more during his short career, I could go on and on.

However, the purpose of my writing today is to discuss Curlin.

Getting Close, but No Cigar Yet...

Curlin has much more to accomplish before being placed into Big Red's Category, but it's not too early to notice that he is reminiscent of Secretariat in many ways.

Curlin

Secretariat

Too Big for Most Britches

Secretariat was a massive chestnut with a huge girth, and Curlin shares those traits. Both horses were born with a star and a stripe for facial markings, too.

Deja Vu?

Another comparison to Secretariat is Curlin's running style. After watching Curlin race, I've commented to myself, "Why do I feel like I've seen this before?"

Curlin, like Secretariat, has such a big, powerful stride that centrifugal force typically carries him wide around the turn. When he finally straightens for home, he looks like a freight train, his big, muscular behind propelling him forward. Watch replays of both horses (scroll down to view) and you'll see what I mean.

Curlin's Stride

Secretariat's Stride

It's All in the Heart

The Princequillo Factor

Princequillo

Princequillo is Secretariat's dam sire -- or mother's father. Princequillo's heart was one of the largest ever recorded in any thoroughbred. Secretariat's heart was THE largest ever recorded at 22 pounds. Without getting too complicated, Princequillo's large heart trait has been passed along from generation to generation.

Read about how some horses are born with "Superhearts" in this article. Heart of the Matter by Marianna Haun

If you look at Curlin's pedigree, you'll find Princequillo on both his sire and dam side. Granted, Princequillo appears over 5 generations back, but could it be that he passed on the same courage, heart, and stamina to Curlin that he gave Secretariat?

Rough Start...Big Finish

Unfortunately for Curlin, he didn't make it to the races until he turned three years old, but it was worth the wait.

Despite a lack of seasoning that would hamper most young horses, he went on to win 6 of 9 races at age three, winning at 5 different racetracks, on fast and sloppy surfaces.

He never ran off the board, and equaled the Preakness Stakes record of 1:53 2/5 (also Secretariat's disputed time in the Preakness) in only his fifth lifetime start.

Curlin's win in the Breeder's Cup Classic solidified his status as the best horse in the country.

If Curlin's career had begun sooner, many more comparisons to Secretariat may have been possible. Still, Curlin evokes the same spine-tingling sensation I get when watching my all-time favorite. They seem eerily similar to me.

A Welcome Change

I would like to thank Jess Jackson, one of Curlin's owners, and the rest of the ownership for deciding to keep such a magnificent creature in training for our viewing pleasure.

Most owners would take the breeding money and run. Instead, we now have the privilege of witnessing history in the making.

Horse Racing's Origin

Where it All Began

The origin of the thoroughbred traces back to the Middle East, and that is where Curlin has kicked off his 2008 campaign and his run at history.

The legendary Cigar winning the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996.

A Run at History, Greatness, and the All-Time Earnings Record

Finally, Something to Cheer About

So the next time Curlin races, pay close attention. You might see what I have seen. You may, for a moment, feel the same chill up your back and forget that you're not watching Secretariat thundering down the stretch. You're watching Curlin! Enjoy the greatness...it may be a long time until another horse like him comes around.

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Learn Horse Racing

Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))

by Richard Eng

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/26/2008)

Curlin's First Start a Winning One

Wins With Devastating Ease

Lifetime Start #1
Curlin romps by 12 3/4 lengths

Curlin - Maiden Race

Curlin crushes the field in his first start

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Generating a Buzz

It was evident after Curlin's first start that he was something special. His next start would be in the Grade III Rebel Stakes, a race in which he didn't disappoint.

Curlin's Second Start Another Big Victory

Wins in First Stakes Effort

Lifetime Start #2
Curlin Wins the Rebel Stakes

2007 Arkansas Derby - Curlin

Curlin crushes the field

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On the Road to the Kentucky Derby

Curlin's victory in the Rebel Stakes put him on the map of Kentucky Derby prospects. His next start would be April 14, 2007 in the Grade I $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby -- a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby.

Arkansas Derby

Lifetime Start #3
Curlin Wins the Arkansas Derby by 10 1/2 lengths

2007 Arkansas Derby

Curlin wins impressively ...

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Runtime: 2:36
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Gifts for Horse Racing Fans

Bet With the Best 2: Longshots

by Andrew Beyer, Tom Brohamer, Steven Crist, Steve Davidowitz, Brad Free, Dave Litfin, James Quinn, Alan Shuback, Lauren Stich, Mike Watchmaker

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/26/2008)

Exotic Betting: How to Make the Multihorse, Multirace Bets that Win Racing's Biggest Payoffs

by Steven Crist

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Derby Favorite

The devastating fashion in which Curlin won the Arkansas Derby catapulted him to favortite-status for the Kentucky Derby.

Unfortunately for Curlin, he hadn't run as a two-year old, and his lack of seasoning caught up to him in the Derby.

A full field of 20 horses entered, and Curlin was steadied some early on. He made a gallant run to finish third, but he was soundly beaten by Street Sense and Hard Spun.

Curlin's First Loss

Finishes Gallant Third in Kentucky Derby

Lifetime Start #4
Curlin Runs a Gallant Third in Derby

2007 Kentucky Derby - Street Sense

http://www.HorseRaceFever.com Street Sense runs down Hard Spun to take the Kentucky Derby

Runtime: 2:19
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Curlin on eBay

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Derby Top 3 Face Off Again in Preakness

I was absolutely thrilled when the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby would again face each other in the Preakness Stakes. I wanted Curlin to show what he was really made of -- and boy did he ever!

Curlin equaled the Preakness Stakes record of 1:53 2/5 (also Secretariat's time in the Preakness) in only his fifth lifetime start!

Defeats Kentucky Derby Winner Street Sense

Lifetime Start #5
Curlin Wins the Preakness in Record Time

2007 Preakness Curlin

Curlin jumps ahead at the wire to nab Street Sense in the 2007 Preakness from May 19, 2007.

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Stories of the Greatest Thoroughbreds

The Most Glorious Crown: The Story Of America's Triple Crown Thoroughbreds From Sir Barton To Affirmed

by Marvin Drager

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Horse God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World's Greatest Racehorse

by Lawrence Scanlan

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/26/2008)

Ruffian: Burning from the Start

by Jane Schwartz

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/26/2008)

Curlin Meets a Rare Filly

The next race for Curlin would be the third jewel of the Triple Crown - The Belmont Stakes. The Belmont is the longest and most grueling of any dirt races run in America today. He would lose by a head to the Champion filly Rags to Riches.

Curlin loses Belmont by a Head

Rags to Riches Runs the Race of Her Life

Lifetime Start #6
Curlin Loses Belmont by a Head

2007 Belmont Stakes - Rags To Riches

http://www.HorseRaceFever.com Rags To Riches and Curlin battle to the wire

Runtime: 2:53
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Long Layoff

Nearly two months after his narrow Belmont loss, Curlin was entered in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. His motor was not fully cranked, and he finished a lackluster third.

Curlin Runs Poorly in Haskell Stakes

Lifetime Start #7
Curlin Runs Third in Haskell

2007 Haskell Invitational

First: Any Given Saturday (J: Garrett Gomez, T: Todd Pletcher) Second: Hard Spun (J: Mario Pino, T: Larry Jones) Third: Curlin (J: Robby Albarado, T: Steve Asmussen) Fourth: Imawildandcrazyguy (J: Manoel Cruz, T: Bill Kaplan)

Runtime: 10:13
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Horse Racing on DVD

Seabiscuit (Widescreen Edition)

Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Life & Times of Secretariat, an American Racing Legend

Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Ruffian

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Win Skein Begins

Curlin's loss in the Haskell would be his last.

In his next start, the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup, Curlin was pitted against Lawyer Ron, last year's top older Handicap horse. Lawyer Ron had recently broken the track record at Saratoga for 1 1/8 mile, and racing fans knew this was going to be a great matchup.

The two horses battled to the wire, with Curlin edging Lawyer Ron in the shadow of the wire.

Defeats Top Older Horse Lawyer Ron

Lifetime Start #8
Curlin Wins the Jockey Club Gold Cup

2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup

Curlin defeats Lawyer Ron in his prep before winning the Breeders Cup Classic

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Battle for Horse of the Year Honors

The last race of 2007 for Curlin was the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Curlin faced the likes of Lawyer Ron, Street Sense, and Hard Spun, among others, in the Breeder's Cup Classic. He didn't just win, he crushed the field by 4 1/2 lengths!

He was voted Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year Old Colt!

Breeder's Cup Classic

The Icing on the Cake

Lifetime Start #9
Curlin Crushes the Competition in the Classic

2007 Breeders Cup Classic

First: Curlin (J: Robby Albarado, T: Steve Asmussen) Second: Hard Spun (J: Mario Pino, T: Larry Jones) Third: Awesome Gem (J: David Flores, T: Craig Dollase) Fourth: Street Sense (J: Calvin Borel, T: Carl Nafzger)

Runtime: 10:02
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2008 Campaign Begins in Dubai

Curlin's first start of his 4-year old campaign was in the Jaguar Trophy Handicap at Nad al Sheba Racecourse in Dubai. This was to be his prep race for the $6 Million Dubai World Cup.

That's right!! $6,000,000!

He was the easiest kind of winner. Robby Albarado, his jockey, never had to ask Curlin for any effort.

Curlin Halfway Across the World!

The Race Before the Big One

Lifetime Start #10
Curlin Wins the Jaguar Trophy in Preparation for World Cup

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Curlin Blows Away the Best in the World

Curlin defeated 11 other rivals on March 29, 2008 in the $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup by a record margin of 7 3/4 lengths.

His lifetime earnings were increased by $3.6 million for a total of $8,807,800, making him third on the all-time North American earnings list behind Cigar and Skip Away. The good news is...Curlin is just getting started.

After the race, his trainer and jockey reported that Curlin wasn't even tired.

Curlin Wins Dubai World Cup

Lifetime Start #11
Curlin Wins the Dubai World Cup by Record Margin

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Curlin Just Keeps on Rolling - Increases Lifetime Earnings to $9,396,800

Despite a troubled trip and a 128 pound weight assignment, Curlin displayed complete supremacy in winning the Stephen Foster Handicap by 4 1/4 lengths on June 14, 2008.

The win increased his lifetime earnings to $9,396,800, moving him closer to Cigar's North American earnings record of $9,999,813.

Decisive Victory in Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs

Lifetime Start #12
Curlin Wins the Stephen Foster Handicap

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Books on horseracing at Amazon

My favorite books on Secretariat, Cigar, the Triple Crown, and the Breeder's Cup

^#1

The Life & Times of Secretariat, an American Racing Legend

The only complete and authorized story of the most more...1 point

^#2

Secretariat, Updated Edition by Raymond G. Woolfe

Based on interviews, race histories and Woolfe's w more...0 points

^#3

Ron Turcotte - Secretariat at the Kentucky Derby - Autographed Black and White 8x10 Photograph

Ron Turcotte became internationally famous in 1973 more...0 points

^#4

Ron Turcotte - Secretariat at the Preakness - Autographed 8x10 Photograph

Ron Turcotte became internationally famous in 1973 more...0 points

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Ron Turcotte - Secretariat Belmont Stakes Triple Crown Victory - Autographed 16x20 Photograph

This great autographed 16x20 photograph was person more...0 points

Curlin Tries The Turf

Curlin's first attempt on grass certainly came in an inauspicious spot. He was being asked to run 1 3/8 miles versus two previous Breeder's Cup Turf Champions.

Curlin has treated racing fans to great performance after great performance, which is why even his gallant second-place finish is slightly diappointing. However, a closer look at how the race unfolded does provide some explanation as to why he may have lost.

According to the official Equibase chart of the race, Curlin hit the gate and broke slowly. For most of the race, he was very far back. Rounding the far turn, Curlin was still some 14 lengths off the hotly contested pace.

The only horse Curlin could not pass was 2006 Breeder's Cup Turf Champion Red Rocks, who got first jump on the leaders after enjoying the perfect trip.

In my opinion, Curlin deserves another shot on the turf. Too many things about the Man O' War leave doubt as to why Curlin suffered defeat. The whole race was so odd, I don't think it's fair to assume the turf was necessarily to blame. It may just be that Curlin's performance was an aberration. Now, we fans must wait to see what Curlin's owners decide. Stay tuned...

Curlin Second in Man O' War

2008 Man o' War Stakes

Red Rocks ($14.40) beats Curlin and Better Talk Now to win the Grade 1 Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park on July 12, 2008.

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