Archive for the ‘Curlin’ Category
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Edited Press Release
The 2010 stud fee for two-time Horse of the Year CURLIN, who stands at Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky, has been reduced to $40,000 stands and nurses.
In a statement released today, majority owner Jess Jackson discussed the decision:
“We are delighted with the three CURLIN foals that we’ve seen so far, and are eagerly awaiting our home bred CURLIN babies.
We also know that times are tough for our friends in the breeding business. To continue to attract the best book of mares for CURLIN and further help our breeders, we have decided to lower CURLIN’s fee for the 2010 breeding season to $40,000.”
A classic winner of seven Grade 1 events, CURLIN is North America’s richest racehorse with earnings of $10,501,800. CURLIN, who entered stud last year, is by Lane’s End’s two-time leading sire Smart Strike.
Tags: Curlin, horse of the year, jess jackson, lane's end farm, smart strike, Versailles, William S. Farish
Posted in Curlin | 13 Comments »
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
From Stonestreet Stables Press Release/Caroline Shaw Public Relations
LEXINGTON, KY (May 6, 2009) – Stonestreet Stables, majority owner of two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin—and Harold T. McCormick of Birmingham, Alabama together with Dolphus Morrison and Mike Lauffer of L and M Partners, LLC announced today the purchase of Rachel Alexandra, the three-year-old filly who is undefeated in 2009 and the winner of last Friday’s Kentucky Oaks by over 20 lengths. As agreed to by both parties, terms of the deal were kept confidential.
“Rachel Alexandra is one of the best horses in racing today,” said Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stable. “She is fast, strong and durable—the traits we should all be breeding into all future generations of race horses. Her beauty and athleticism will thrill thousands of fans. ”
“We are delighted to sell Rachel Alexandra to Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables. Its reputation for integrity, putting the best interest of the horses above all else, and just doing things right will ensure this incredible thoroughbreds’ future and the industry at large. We are equally please she will retire after her racing career to Stonestreet Stables,” said Dolphus Morrison of L and M Partners, LLC.
In addition to the Kentucky Oaks win, Rachel Alexandra’s major victories include the Golden Rod Stakes (2008), Martha Washington Stakes (2009), Fair Grounds Oaks (2009), and Fantasy Stakes (2009). Foaled in 2006, Rachel Alexandra was out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Claiborne Farm’s multiple stakes winner, Roar. Rachel Alexandra was sired by Medaglia d’Oro, a multiple Grade I winner who retired with career earnings in excess of $5.7 million.
Jackson indicated that when Rachel Alexandra’s racing career concludes, he will breed her to Curlin, whose speed, strength and durability are the key qualities in his “New Horse.”
The resilient Curlin, winner of 11 of 16 races in two consecutive campaigns—including the 2008 Dubai World Cup, the 2007 Preakness, and the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic—is known as an “iron horse” for never missing a race or a workout and retiring in perfect form and health. Rachel Alexandra has many of these same traits.
“We are tremendously excited by the prospect of one day seeing the offspring of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra,” said Jackson. “But for now, the story of this filly is still being written. My four daughters and granddaughter will be delighted this super filly will race in our colors.”
About Stonestreet Farms
Owned by Jess Stonestreet Jackson, Stonestreet Farms currently maintains a broodmare band of over 100 in its breeding operation in Lexington, Kentucky and races several dozen thoroughbreds through Stonestreet Stables. Jackson is the majority owner of Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year. Together with his wife Barbara Banke, Jackson is also the founder and owner of the world-class Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates. For more information visit www.stonestreetfarms.com.
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Tags: jess jackson, Rachel Alexandra, stonestreet stables
Posted in Curlin, Horse Racing, Racing Greats, kentucky oaks | 68 Comments »
Monday, January 26th, 2009
By Ray Paulick
There are many questions to be answered at tonight’s Eclipse Awards from Miami Beach, Fla. (from which I’ll be dutifully live blogging starting sometime after the 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour begins and before TVG goes on the air with its 7 p.m. coverage). Who will get the crown as 2008 Horse of the Year? Will it be the reigning champion, Curlin, or the unbeaten filly, Zenyatta?
 Inquiring minds may want to know…will Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stable have more bodyguards than Jess Jackson? How big will Frank Stronach’s posse be? Who will take the first punch at the publisher of the Paulick Report? Iavarone (I’m no fan of his), trainer Steve Asmussen (I wrote that no trainer with a pending drug positive deserves an Eclipse Award) or my former boss, Bloodhorse publisher Stacy Bearse (who needs no further introduction to our faithful readers)? We’ll try to answer those questions and more, going behind the scenes as best we can.
Many of the Eclipse Award winners are obvious (both of the 2-year-old divisions, 3-year-old male, older male and female, jockey and trainer), but there actually is suspense in several categories (3-year-old filly, male and female turf, male and female sprinter, owner and breeder). Unless, of course, someone at the sponsoring organizations – the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form or National Turf Writers Association – has leaked the results, something that has happened in the past.
Without access to the leaks, here are my predictions for the night (on the Eclipse Awards front):
2-year-old male – Midshipman (a slam dunk)
2-year-old filly – Stardom Bound (should be a unanimous vote)
3-year-old male – Big Brown (there might be a few stragglers that voted against him)
3-year-old filly – Proud Spell over Eight Belles (performance should win out over sentiment)
older male – Curlin (slam dunk)
older female – Zenyatta (should be unanimous, though I am reminded that some sports writers didn’t vote for Rickey Henderson to get in the Baseball Hall of Fame)
male sprinter – Midnight Lute (if it’s like boxing, the defending champion should have an advantage, and we’re like boxing, right?). This may have been Bob Baffert’s best training achievement in his career (and he could have three Eclipse winners this year without being a finalist for outstanding trainer!)
female sprinter – Indian Blessing over Ventura (the anti-synthetic track votes may come into play here, diminishing Ventura’s win over Indian Blessing in the Breeders’ Cup)
outstanding owner – Unimaginative voters will probably give this to Stronach Stable, based on the highest earnings (though the 2008 leading owner by money won was Zayat Stable, who was not a finalist). Of the three finalists (Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing is the third), IEAH deserves the award if it is strictly based on racetrack performance
outstanding breeder – tough one to call. Adena Springs has the numbers, but the other finalists, Stonerside and WinStar, had very good results from smaller foal crops. With Robert and Janice McNair producing two Breeders’ Cup winners (Midshipman and Raven’s Pass) for Stonerside, they get the nod
trainer – Steve Asmussen, an outstanding horseman and the certain landslide winner (though as I stated in an earlier column, I believe medication positives during the year in question should disqualify individuals or horses from awards consideration)
jockey – Garrett Gomez. Another landslide
apprentice Jockey and steeplechase horse – no clue
Horse of the Year – Curlin, by a comfortable margin…a deserving two-time champion
Tune in to the Paulick Report later tonight to see how wrong I can be!
UPDATE: Due to multiple braincell failure, two hotly contested categories were omitted from the original post.
male turf — Einstein over Conduit. A season of top performances in North America should rate higher than a single Breeders’ Cup win.
female turf — Forever Together (for the same reason as Einstein, even though Goldikova’s BC Mile triumph was nothing short of breathtaking.
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Tags: Big Brown, Bob Baffert, Curlin, daily racing form, eclipse awards, eight belles, Frank Stronach, garrett gomez, godolphin racing, IEAH, indian blessing, Michael Iavarone, midnight lute, midshipman, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, national turf writers association, NTRA, ntwa, Paulick Report, proud spell, raven's pass, Ray Paulick, rickey henderson, Robert McNair, stacy bearse, stardom bound, steve asmussen, stonerside, stronach stable, Synthetic surfaces, tvg, winstar, zayat stables, zenyatta
Posted in Big Brown, Curlin, eclipse awards | 10 Comments »
Monday, December 1st, 2008
A Franklin County, Kentucky, Circuit Court judge has ruled against a proposed sale of a 20% interest in Horse of the Year Curlin to majority owner Jess Jackson for $4 million. The ruling by Judge Roger Crittenden came in a hearing on Monday involving the 20% owned by disbarred attorneys Shirley Cunningham and William Gallion, who have been hit with a $42-million judgment in a civil lawsuit involving the fees they charged clients in a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer of a diet drug. Cunningham and Gallion also face criminal charges stemming from the case. The ruling against the sale was not based on the judge’s disapproval of the $4-million appraisal on the 20% interest, but because two parties objected to the sale: Gallion and Cunningham’s attorney, Andre Regard; and the attorney for the class-action plaintiffs, Angela Ford. The judge’s decision effectively ends a lengthy legal battle involving Jackson’s Stonestreet Farm’s and Cunningham and Gallion’s Midnight Cry Stable (also doing business as Tandy LLC). Midnight Cry originally owned 100% in Curlin and sold Jackson and two other partners an 80% interest after the son of Smart Strike broke his maiden early in 2007. Jackson eventually bought out the other two partners, Satish Sanan and George Bolton. Regard said his clients were looking forward to being partners in Curlin as he enters his new career at stud at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky., where he will stand for a first-year stud fee of $75,000, payable when the foal stands and nurses. "He’s going to be a very popular horse," Regard said.
The objections of attorneys Regard and Ford were based on the appraisal provided in court by bloodstock consultant Ric Waldman, who testified in November that the current weakened market conditions placed Curlin’s overall value at $20 million as a stallion prospect. A court-ordered receiver arranged for a sealed-bid sale of the 20% through the Keeneland auction company in early November, but when there were no bids, Jackson offered to buy the interest for $4 million. Ford said the receiver had numerous conversations with Stonestreet representatives about the sale but never consulted with her as representative of the plaintiffs. "I think the evaluation is extremely low and I think it’s something we have to contest," she told Crittenden. Richard Getty, attorney for Jackson, told the court that a "bird in the hand — $4 million, which is a million and a half dollars more than I think it’s worth — is better than a bird in the bush. The current market conditions are horrible. … If they are not smart enough to figure out this is a very good deal, given the market conditions, I feel sorry for them. … A year and a half or two years from now this interest may not be worth $4 million." Regard said the court had been told repeatedly by Jackson’s attorney that no stallion farm would stand Curlin as long as Gallion and Cunningham were minority owners. "Lane’s End is the premier stallion farm in the world," Regard said. "Lane’s End was Tandy’s first choice last year, but disagreements between Mr. Jackson and Mr. Farish concerning some other issues in the industry prevented that. … Entering into a contract (with Lane’s End) proves that there were no legal issues related to Tandy’s ownership in Curlin that would prevent him from going to stud. Lane’s End saw no obstacle to standing the horse." Getty said after the ruling he was not aware of any "disagreements" between Jackson and Farish, and also said he was not aware that Jackson was prepared to make any further offers to Gallion and Cunningham for their interest in the horse. Getty pointed out to Crittenden that Lane’s End is receiving a management fee to stand Curlin and that Gallion and Cunningham would be liable for $1 million in expenses between now and April 2010 for management of the horse, insurance premiums and advertising/marketing costs. "Who’s going to pay the $1 million," he asked the judge. He also cited the fact some top race horses, including two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, can be infertile as stallions. "If they want to run the risk of intertility, we can’t help them," Getty said.
Regard responded that Lane’s End’s will be compensated after stud fees are paid. "The largest part of those expenses are going to be paid upon the receipt of the stud fee income," Regard said.
In the end, Crittenden sustained the objections of Ford and Regard to not go forward with the sale of the 20% in Curlin. "If both parties object, then this court does not intend to rule that the receiver accept the offer," Crittenden said. He ruled that the court-ordered receiver will wrap up its role, but be available in the event of any further offers. Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report Visit the Paulick Report for all the latest news throughout the racing world. Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: andre regard, Curlin, horse of the year, jess jackson, Lane's End, midnight cry, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, Ric Waldman, richard getty, roger crittenden, shirley cunningham, stonestreet stables, tandy llc, thoroughbred stallions, william gallion, William S. Farish
Posted in Breeding, Curlin | 11 Comments »
Monday, November 24th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
The retirement of reigning Horse of the Year Curlin to Lane’s End Farm may be one of the more unusual stallion contracts with which the Versailles, Ky., farm’s owner, William S. Farish, has been involved. Farish said as much in an interview with the Paulick Report, although he would not go into details of the deal that was announced on Nov. 21.
Farish confirmed that Lane’s End did not purchase any interest in the Smart Strike 4-year-old colt, who will stand for $75,000 live foal as the property of Jess Jackson and the Midnight Cry Stable – at least until Midnight Cry’s 20% ownership interest is resolved in a legal battle that goes back to a 2001 diet-drug class-action settlement. The case revolved around the legal fees charged by plaintiff attorneys William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham, among others. The two men, who raced under the Midnight Cry stable and bought Curlin as a yearling for $57,000 in 2005, lost a $42 million judgment in a civil suit and face retrial on criminal charges of mail fraud after a previous trial ended in a hung jury. A third defendant was acquitted.
A court-ordered receiver has been charged with selling Midnight Cry’s 20% interest in Curlin, but the fair market value of the horse is in dispute. At a recent hearing, bloodstock consultant Ric Waldman estimated Curlin’s total value at $20 million, meaning Midnight Cry’s interest is worth $4 million – the amount Jackson and his wife, Barbara Banke, offered to buy it. Andre Regard, an attorney for Midnight Cry, said the figure is too low.
Because of the legal complications, it’s believed Jackson was unable to convey any breeding rights to Lane’s End, a standard part of most stallion contracts that gives the farm standing a horse a minimum of four to six annual breeding rights. In lieu of those rights, the assumption is that Jackson is paying Lane’s End an annual management fee, in addition to standard marketing and board fees. Unless the management fees are linked to Curlin’s stud fee (i.e., they increase if his stud fee increases), Lane’s End will not enjoy the potential upside it would if the farm owned shares or a percentage of the horse, or if the farm received a specific number of annual breeding rights.
Regard said he has requested a copy of the stallion contract from Jackson but has yet to receive it. He suggested the details of the contract could help establish Curlin’s true value. Regard contends that the $20-million appraised value is too low, based on the multiple of 267 times the initial $75,000 stud fee. Some stallions are valued based on a multiple of 400 (or even as high as 500) times the initial stud fee, Regard said.
Farish admitted the negotiations over Curlin were “difficult” because of the legal challenges. That Jackson and Farish ended up business partners on the horse is viewed by some as ironic, in light of Jackson’s crusade to reform the Thoroughbred auction business and his push to have bloodstock agents licensed. It is widely believed the politically-connected Farish used his clout in Kentucky’s legislative circles to restrict reforms and block the mandated licensing of agents.
Curlin was retired following his fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the only time in 16 career starts he finished worse than third. North America’s all-time leading earner, with $10,501,800 won in the United States and Dubai, will make a final public appearance this Saturday at Churchill Downs before joining his sire, Smart Strike, at Lane’s End.
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Tags: andre regard, annual breeding rights, barbara banke, Curlin, fen-phen, jess jackson, Lane's End, midnight cry stable, Ric Waldman, shirley cunningham, smart strike, thoroughbred auction reform, Thoroughbred breeding, thoroughbred stallions, Will Farish, william gallion, William S. Farish
Posted in Breeding, Curlin, Stallions | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
Lane’s End Farm is expected to announce that reigning Horse of the Year Curlin will enter stud at the Versailles, Ky., farm in 2009 for a live foal stud fee of $75,000, the Paulick Report has learned. Lane’s End is owned by William S. Farish, vice chairman of the Jockey Club and former ambassador to Great Britain for President George W. Bush.
Jess Jackson owns 80% of the son of Smart Strike—Sherriffs Deputy, by Deputy Minister, with the other 20% owned by the Midnight Cry Stable of disbarred attorneys Shirley Cunningham and William Gallion. That share has been the focus of a complicated legal battle resulting from a $42-million judgment against Cunningham and Gallion in a civil case. The two also face criminal charges.
Jackson and wife Barbara Banke have offered to buy Midnight Cry’s 20% for $4 million, based on an appraisal by bloodstock expert Ric Waldman that set a $20-million fair market value on Curlin. While Curlin may have been insured for an amount in excess of $40 million, Waldman’s appraisal took into account the current global economic crisis and recent trends in the bloodstock market. The just-concluded November breeding stock sale at Keeneland resulted in a 46% decline in gross revenues.
Jackson announced Nov. 15 that Curlin would enter stud in Kentucky in 2009, though he did not name a farm. At the time, he said various offers were being considered, and also indicated Curlin could become the first stallion to stand at the Stonestreet Farms in Lexington that he owns. The late-season announcement, made after matings for many broodmares already have been planned, may also have contributed to Waldman’s appraisal, which Andre Regard, an attorney for Gallion and Cunningham, said was below the horse’s true value.
No decision is expected on the Midnight Cry share of Curlin prior to a Dec. 1 court date in Franklin County, Ky. If a judge rules that the share should be sold to Jackson for $4 million, an appeal could extend the legal battle well into 2009.
It is believed Gainesway Farm was a “finalist” in the bidding for Curlin’s stud services. Jackson owns a large share of dual 2005 Classic winner Afleet Alex, who stands at Gainesway, owned by South African Graham Beck and run by his son, Antony. Jackson and the Beck family are both involved in the wine business, Jackson in California as the owner of Kendall-Jackson vineyards and the Becks primarily in South Africa. Jackson sells many of his horses through Gainesway and Taylor Made Sales Agency, which is also believed to have been a finalist to stand Curlin. Jackson also is part owner of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, who stands at Adena Springs. It isn’t known whether Adena Springs, owned by Frank Stronach, actively recruited Curlin.
With a fee of $75,000, Curlin would be the highest-priced first-year stallion entering stud in Kentucky in 2009. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown will stand at Three Chimneys Farm for $65,000, the same amount as Coolmore/Ashford’s multiple European Group 1 winner Henrythenavigator, who finished second to Raven’s Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in which Curlin was fourth.
“Curlin has proven himself across two continents with 16 starts, the honor of 2007 Horse of the Year and the greatest North American money-earner in racing history,” Jackson said in the Nov. 15 announcement that Curlin would enter stud in 2009. “He always gave it his all and has done everything we have asked of him. I am proud to announce that he will start a new career in 2009 and contribute his soundness, stamina, durability and athleticism to the breed. I am looking forward to seeing his foals compete and possibly exceed his unequaled racing record.”
At the time of the announcement, Jackson said he would consider one more race in 2008 for Curlin if “an appropriate venue and purse are offered.” Curlin has been ruled out of the Clark Handicap at Churchill and Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, the two most likely races for him, so it’s extremely doubtful he will run again.
Curlin, who began his career under the care of Helen Pitts and was transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen after breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park early in 2007, retires with record earnings of $10,501,800. He won 11 of 16 starts, with two seconds and two thirds. He won seven Grade 1 races: the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, consecutive runnings of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Woodward, Preakness and Stephen Foster Handicap. Bred in Kentucky by Fares Farm, he sold for $57,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Jackson, Satish Sanan and George Bolton bought at 80% interest in Curlin through bloodstock agent John Moynihan for about $3 million after the colt’s maiden win. Jackson eventually bought Sanan and Bolton’s interests.
Curlin’s sire, Smart Strike, stands at Lane’s End for $150,000. Also joining the 2009 roster at Lane’s End is War Pass, the 2007 2-year-old male champion and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile who will stand for $30,000 live foal.
Kevin McGee, legal counsel for Jackson’s Kendall-Jackson Vineyards in California, would neither confirm nor deny that a deal with Lane’s End was imminent. Attempts to reach Will Farish were unsuccessful. Bill Farish, son of the Lane’s End owner, said he could not comment on the matter.
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Tags: adena springs, afleet alex, andre regard, ashford, barbara banke, Big Brown, Bill Farish, cigar mile, clark handicap, coolmore, coolmore/ashford, Curlin, dubai world cup, fares farm, Frank Stronach, gainesway, gainesway farm, george bolton, ghostzapper, helen pitts, henrythenavigator, horse of the year, horse of the year curlin, Horse Racing, jess jackson, jockey club gold cup, john moynihan, Keeneland, keeneland november breeding stock sale, kevin mcgee, Lane's End, midnight cry stable, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, Ric Waldman, satish sanan, shirley cunningham, smart strike, steve asmussen, stonestreet farms, taylor made farm, taylor made sales agency, Thoroughbred industry, thoroughbred stallions, war pass, Will Farish, william gallion, William S. Farish
Posted in Breeding, Curlin, Horse Racing, Racing Greats, Stallions | 10 Comments »
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
Curlin will be retired to stud in 2009 to a yet-to-be-determined farm and his racing career is over unless “an appropriate venue and purse are offered" for one more race in 2008, the reigning Horse of the Year’s majority owner Jess Jackson said.
In a press release distributed late Saturday night, Jackson said offers from various stallion farms will be considered but that the son of Smart Strike out of Sheriff’s Deputy, by Deputy Minister, could end up at Jackson’s Stonestreet Farms, which currently does not stand any stallions.
All inquiries for breeding seasons to Curlin for qualified mares should be directed to Stonestreet Farms director Lesley Howard (e-mail address Lesley.Howard@stonestreetfarms.com, or by calling 859 244-2306).
Still unresolved is a 20% ownership interest in Curlin that has been tied up in a legal case involving his original owners, William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham of Midnight Cry Stable, who sold 80% of Curlin to Jackson, Satish Sanan and George Bolton after the colt won his maiden race. Jackson later bought out the interests of Sanan and Bolton, but the Midnight Cry portion was put under the control of a court-appointed receiver last year after Gallion, Cunningham and another attorney were slapped with a $42-million judgment for their handling of a diet drug class-action lawsuit.
Curlin, the richest North American-trained horse in history with earnings of $10,501,800, will be kept in training for one more potential race in 2008, though in a report in the New York Times Jackson ruled out a run in the Dec. 7 Japan Cup Dirt because of quarantine complications. He also told the Times he plans to breed at least 20 of his best mares from a total of over 100 that Stonestreet Farms maintains.
“If an appropriate venue and purse are offered, we would consider one more race in 2008 for Curlin,” Jackson said in a statement.
“Curlin has proven himself across two continents with 16 starts, the honor of 2007 Horse of the Year and the greatest North American money-earner in racing history,” he continued. “He always gave it his all and has done everything we have asked of him. I am proud to announce that he will start a new career in 2009 and contribute his soundness, stamina, durability and athleticism to the breed. I am looking forward to seeing his foals compete and possibly exceed his unequaled racing record.”
Curlin’s Accomplishments:
- 2007 Horse of the Year.
- Greatest North American money-earner in racing history with earnings of $10,501,800.00
Major wins:
2007 Preakness Stakes
2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup
2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic
2008 Dubai World Cup
2008 Jockey Club Gold Cup
Race Record:
2007 2008
Gulfstream Park Maiden Race — First
Rebel Stakes — First
Arkansas Derby - First
Kentucky Derby - Third
Preakness Stakes - First
Belmont Stakes - Second
Haskell Invitational - Third
Jockey Club Gold Cup - First
Breeders’ Cup Classic - First
Jaguar Trophy Handicap - First
Dubai World Cup - First
Stephen Foster Handicap - First
Man o’ War Stakes (turf)- Second
Woodward Stakes - First
Jockey Club Gold Cup — First
Breeders’ Cup Classic (synthetic track) — Fourth
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Tags: Curlin, curlin retired, curlin retired to stud, curlin to retire, eclipse award, george bolton, horse of the year, Horse Racing, japan cup dirt, jess jackson, lesley howard, midnight cry, midnight cry stable, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, richest thoroughbred, satish sanan, sheriff's deputy, shirley cunningham, smart strike, streetstreet farms, william gallion
Posted in Curlin, Racing Greats, Uncategorized | 12 Comments »
Friday, October 24th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
Top to bottom, this may not be the most talented group of Breeders’ Cup horses that’s ever been assembled, but it’s the biggest handicapping challenge I can ever recall, especially considering new races like the Marathon, Turf Sprint, Dirt Mile and Juvenile Turf.
As mentioned yesterday, the Breeders’ Cup Web site has loads of good information, including race schedules and post times, wagering menu, free Equibase past performances, a useful wagering calculator, a list of simulcast locations and advice for beginners. You can bet the Breeders’ Cup races through any of the approved account wagering companies.
My handicapping philosophy is to beat the favorite whenever possible, since the average percentage of winning favorites is around 33%. You might discern from the following selections that I think the Europeans are going to have a big day on Saturday. The factors leading me to believe that will be true are 1) the synthetic surface that some Europeans train on; 2) the tighter medication rules that specifically ban anabolic steroids for the first time; 3) the quality of European horses being sent to this year’s event.
Here’s my advance prognostication on the day’s nine championship races. Good luck and safe racing to all.
Special note: please be sure to check back in to the Paulick Report, beginning around 3 p.m. Eastern, for my live blog of Filly Friday. I’ll also be live blogging Saturday’s nine races, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Marathon
This looks like a two-horse race between European runner Sixties Icon and Zappa (whose namesake, the late rocker Frank Zappa, was the founder of the Mothers of Invention and was a real-life sixties icon). That works for me, but it’s an all chalk exacta. I give the edge to Sixties Icon, in part because of jockey Frankie Dettori’s experience edge at mile and a half races. Zappa is sharp and may try to steal the race under Garrett Gomez. Muhannak has plenty of synthetic track experience in Europe and likes the distance. Cedar Mountain will be closing late.
Selections: 1-Sixties Icon 2-Zappa 3-Muhannak 4- Cedar Mountain
Turf Sprint
One of the great things about the Breeders’ Cup is finding a horse you absolutely love and then discovering that it’s a longshot. That’s the case with Only Answer, a French-based filly in the care of the legendary horseman Andre Fabre, who is in top echelon of Breeders’ Cup trainers. I think she has an excellent chance to beat the boys in this spot, and Santa Anita’s ace morning line maker Jeff Tufts has her pegged at 20-1 on the morning line. Jockey Olivier Peslier, in my opinion, is as good a big-race rider as there is in the world, and he knows this filly well. The downhill turf course is a tricky one for horse and rider, with the run across the main track causing difficulty for some. It’s one of the best “horses for the course” plays in racing, which makes local runners California Flag and Get Funky formidable challengers in here. Fleeting Spirit has a lot of class, as does Diabolical, either of whom are good enough on their best days to win. I’m going for the price play.
Selections: 1-Only Answer 2-Fleeting Spirit 3-Get Funky 4-Diabolical
Dirt Mile
The status of Mast Track is in doubt as I write this, and I would be very surprised if trainer and owner Robert Frankel runs him on Saturday. If he is scratched, that’s going to make things a lot easier for Well Armed, a Tiznow gelding who seems to have found a perfect spot here, though I’d prefer him to have drawn more of an inside post position. The Eoin Harty runner can go to the lead or rate, depending on the circumstances, and the mile distance suits him perfectly. Surf Cat should be more effective at this distance, too, after running dull races in his last two starts. Bruce Headley has tightened the veteran up with some quick works. No one seems to have more confidence in his horse than Wayne Catalano, and there’s a lot to like about Lewis Michael, who grabs the advantageous rail post. Pyro’s a tough one to assess in here. His only synthetic track try at Keeneland was a disaster, but all synthetic tracks aren’t the same.
Selections: 1-Well Armed 2-Surf Cat 3-Lewis Michael 4-Pyro
Turf Mile
Irish-bred filly Goldikova has made few mistakes in her eight-race career for French trainer Freddie Head, who has enough confidence to run her against colts here at her best distance. She’s drawn perfectly in the four post and has big-race rider Olivier Peslier in the saddle. It’s not the strongest Mile field we’ve seen. Shakis is a game old-timer who always finishes with a rush. If Alan Garcia can avoid traffic problems from the rail, he won’t be far away at the finish. Kip Deville ran a puzzler last time out in Canada on a yielding track for Rick Dutrow. I’d throw that race out as he goes for a defense of his crown. U S Ranger doesn’t win very many but usually gets up for a share of the money and has been facing tough company all year. Whatsthescript got an impossible post position on the outside.
Selections: 1-Goldikova 2-Shakis 3-Kip Deville 4-U S Ranger
Juvenile
Post positions really come into play here, with the two horses I like the most, Bushranger and Midshipman, drawn way outside, a distinct disadvantage in the relatively short run to the first turn. Munnings, who has chased juvenile division leader Vineyard Haven (not entered in the Breeders’ Cup by trainer Robert Frankel) in his last two starts, draws the much friendlier rail post for his first try around two turns. That’s enough to give him the edge in this spot for trainer Todd Pletcher, especially in a race without much early speed. The son of Speightstown should get the best trip under John Velazquez. Bushranger may be the best horse and he’ll have to be overcome his 11 post. Street Hero has been steady since breaking his maiden in June and remains in top form for Myung Kwon Cho.
Selections: 1-Munnings 2-Bushranger 3-Midshipman 4-Street Hero
Juvenile Turf
Westphalia looks to me like the obvious choice here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is bet down to near favoritism from his 5-1 morning line. He’s in top form and has had a bit of a rest since his last win at Doncaster in mid-September. Coronet of a Baron obviously has is precocious and talented, and the shift from synthetic to turf by trainer Eoin Harty is an interesting move. Darley already has Midshipman going in the Juvenile and this gives them a good chance to sweep the two races. Of course, arch-rival Coolmore has Bushranger in the Juvenile and Westphalia in here, giving them a strong hand as well. The Darley-Coolmore rivalry will be interesting to follow throughout the two days. Bittel Road is unbeaten on turf and is the morning line choice, but he hasn’t seen this kind of competition yet. Donativum is in the more than capable hands of trainer John Gosden, who knows how to have a horse at peak form when it matters most.
Selections: 1-Westphalia 2-Coronet of a Baron 3-Bittel Road 4-Donativum
Sprint
Smallest number of runners in this race since 1986, obviously a byproduct of two new races: the Filly and Mare Sprint and Dirt Mile. I doubt that defending champ Midnight Lute scared anyone away based on his only start of the year, a dismal 10th in the Pat O’Brien at Del Mar. He’s worked sensationally for Bob Baffert since then, but it’s hard to see him up sharp enough to beat the likes of Street Boss or In Summation. I give the clear nod here to the California horses, led by the Bruce Headley-trained Street Boss. My intuition tells me Bruce Headley didn’t have the son of Street Cry cranked to the max for the Ancient Title when second to Cost of Freedom, and recent works suggest he’s ready to roll here. In Summation is a thorough professional who can be counted on to run his race. Midnight Lute will be running late. Fatal Bullet has the best chance of upsetting the local horses’ applecart.
Selections: 1-Street Boss 2- In Summation 3-Midnight Lute 4-Fatal Bullet
Turf
While Europe’s bigshots were locking horns in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 5, Mike de Kock was bringing the top-class Eagle Mountain back to the races from a fractured pelvis and year layoff at Newmarket. The Rock of Gibraltor colt won the comeback, a Group 3 race at Newmarket, and some big money subsequently came in on the horse with a British bookmaker to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The former Coolmore/Aidan O’Brien runner looked sharp in a morning spin at Santa Anita is primed for a big effort. Soldier of Fortune comes off a hard-fought defeat for O’Brien in the Arc. That was just his third race of the year and he might have another good one in him. Winchester turned in a monstrous performance at Arlington Park to win the Secretariat for Dermot Weld, far surpassing his European form. This is a big step up, but he showed a fondness for American style racing in that effort. Conduit completes my all- European superfecta. American turf horses appear weak again this year, but let’s not forget how English Channel romped in the 2007 Turf over supposedly superior Europeans.
Selections: 1-Eagle Mountain 2-Soldier of Fortune 3-Winchester 4-Conduit
Classic
By the time the finale rolls around, we should have a pretty good idea how European turf horses have adapted to Santa Anita’s synthetic Pro-Ride surface. I don’t have the benefit of knowing that right now, so I can only speculate how Duke of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator and Raven’s Pass will take to the track. But I guess we can say the same thing about Curlin, who has trained well on the track but never raced on a synthetic strip. Curlin may be the best horse we’ve seen in the last 10 years, in terms of his accomplishments if not his brilliance. But based on his last two victories over relatively weak competition, I think he’s beatable here. But who will beat him? Go Between, a synthetic track specialist who’s logged thousands of miles this year going from coast to coast? Casino Drive, the unbeaten but lightly raced, Japanese-trained sibling to two previous Belmont Stakes winners? Colonel John, the best 3-year-old in training following the retirement of Big Brown? The Aidan O’Brien duo of Duke of Marmalade and Henrythenavigator, who have combined for nine Group 1 victories on European turf this year? All have a realistic chance, but I’m taking the John Gosden-trained Raven’s Pass for the upset under Frankie Dettori. The Elusive Quality 3-year-old colt hasn’t gone beyond a mile, but Gosden knows from his previous experience in California that most top-class Europeans can stretch their ability out in the U.S. Raven’s Pass has had a month off since defeating Henrythenavigator in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and is in absolute top form. Curlin will run hard as always, but he’s had a long year for trainer Steve Asmussen. Go Between is a steady performer for Mott, who’s handled him intelligently all year. Colonel John may be the best 3-year-old, but the jury is still out on how good this year’s sophomore crop really is.
Selections: 1-Raven’s Pass 2-Curlin 3-Go Between 4-Colonel John
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Tags: aiden o'brien, andre fabre, Big Brown, bittel road, Bob Baffert, Breeders' Cup, breeders' cup handicapping, breeders' cup selections, breeders' cup wagering, Breeders' Cup World Championships, bruce headley, bushranger, casino drive, colonel john, conduit, coolmore, coronet of a baron, cost of freedom, Curlin, darley, dermot weld, dirt mile, duke of marmalade, eagle mountain, eoin harty, Fatal Bullet, fleeting spirit, frank zappa, freddie head, free past performances, get funky, go between, goldikova, handicapping the breeders' cup, henrythenavigator, Horse Racing, in summation, john gosden, juvenile, juvenile turf, kip deville, lewis michael, marathon, mast track, michael de kock, michael stoute, midnight lute, midshipman, mile, mothers of invention, muhannak, olivier peslier, only answer, pari-mutuel wagering, Paulick Report, pyro, raven's pass, Ray Paulick, rick dutrow, robert frankel, shakis, sixties icon, soldier of fortune, sprint, street boss, surf cat, todd pletcher, turf spring, u s ranger, well armed, westphalia, winchester, zappa
Posted in Breeders' Cup, Curlin, International Racing, Racing Greats, Ray Paulick, Synthetic surfaces, Wagering | 5 Comments »
Thursday, October 16th, 2008
At 1 p.m. Eastern Ray Paulick will be live blogging today’s National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference focusing on the 25th Breeders’ Cup from the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita Park Oct. 24-25, pre-entries for which were announced earlier. Click here to get the list of pre-entries.
Scheduled guests on the conference are:
. Greg Avioli, President and Chief Executive Officer, Breeders’ Cup Limited
. Sherwood C. Chillingworth, Director & Executive Vice-President, Oak Tree at Santa Anita
. Tom Robbins, Chairman, Breeders’ Cup Racing Directors/Secretaries Panel
. Rick Hammerle, Racing Secretary, Santa Anita Park
. Trainer Steve Asmussen.
. Trainer Eoin Harty
. Owner Jerry Moss
. Alastair Donald, Director of the International Racing Bureau
1:04 p.m. … Before the conference begins, let me send a cautionary note to readers of today’s blog. In the event any of the participants starts talking about Joe the Plumber, I am out of here. That is, unless there is actually a pre-entered horse named Joe the Plumber. It comes to mind that we could have used Joe the Plumber at this year’s Belmont Stakes. If you were there, you’d know what I mean.
1:06 p.m. … It’s post time! Where are the horses?
1:12 p.m. … Still no tellie conference! While we are waiting, let me remind everyone that post positions will be drawn for the Friday and Saturday races next Tuesday, Oct. 21. TVG will have the live draw of some of the races that afternoon. Let’s hope the draw is as dramatic and entertaining as the Kentucky Derby draw! (Actually, it’s a pretty serious and busineslike affair, given the number of races that will be drawn, and they do it the old-fashioned way.)
1:16 p.m. … We begin! Jim Gluckson, the Breeders’ Cup publicist gets on the call and we immediately hear someone’s cell phone going off.
1:18 p.m. … Jimmy G. says there is a record number of pre-entries from overseas (I guess it helps that three races were added.) There should be a lot of records with the expansion. Greg Avioli is giving introductory remarks now. "Strongest fields in the 25 year history of our event….$25 million in purses. We are particularly pleased that the six new races (three in 2007, three this year) all have been oversubscribed." Avioli says he could talk for a long time but won’t. Good news. More good news. Advance forecast…83 degrees and sunny. No fires in sight this year, thankfully.
1:20 p.m. … Sherwood Chillingworth of Oak Tree takes the phone and mentions that this is a year of firsts: first time on synthetic, and first time without steroids (thanks for that reminder…does that mean we should put an asterisk in front of all previous Breeders’ Cup champions like baseball may do with Barry Bonds and that shameless dude from the St. Louis Cardinals?
1:25 p.m. … A little humor is injected into the call. Gluckson asks if Jerry Moss is on the line (he isn’t yet), then asks if trainer Eoin Harty is on the line. Harty says he is, and is ready to answer questiions anyone has for Jerry Moss, too.
1:30 p.m. … Steve Asmussen on the call says he was a little concerned with the hot weather when Curlin first arrived in California but it’s cooled off. Synthetic tracks can be very different day to day, says Asmussen, but he is satisfied with how Curlin has handled it so far. Asmussen isn’t going to judge anyone else’s horses (no trash talk against Duke of Marmalade, given a question about that horse from a writer).
1:31 p.m. … Does Eoin Harty have a home field advantage on synthetic surfaces with Well Armed and Colonel John? "Only in that I don’t have to ship," he replied.
1:32 p.m. … Jerry Moss talks about Zenyatta. "It’s not that we weren’t aware she didn’t have great talent. John Shirreffs always said she was special. … We don’t consider anything’s in the bag. Mike’s (jockey Smith) going to have to be lucky and she’s going to have to run her best race to win. … "We had a really nice filly that won the (Kentucky) Oaks in 1994, Sardula, and unfortunately she contracted an illness and didn’t make it past her fourth year. So we don’t take anything for granted. When I think of the great fillies I think of Personal Ensign, and the great race she had with Winning Colors back in the 1980s. I remember how she went to the breeding shed undefeated and that would be great if we could do something like that." Moss said he and wife Ann have not made any decision yet about 2009 with Zenyatta, as to whether or not she will run. Talking about Tiago, Moss said he will be "running against some the greatest horses of our time."
1:37 p.m. … A question about why the Breeders’ Cup came to a track with synthetics. Avioli said the Breeders’ Cup board made "an intentional decision" to have the races on a synthetic surface. "I don’t foresee going back to an era when you only have traditonal dirt tracks. … I expect you are going to see many, many more Breeders’ Cups held on synthetic tracks in the future."
1:39 p.m. … Back to Moss. He isn’t thinking about Horse of the Year for Zenyatta in the event Curlin is beaten in the Classic.
1:40 p.m. … Is Asmussen concerned Curlin may be vulnerable on a synthetic track. "There’s a lot out there…horses as accomplished as Tiago is a longshot. It’s competitive and we have nothing but respect for the horses involved. Having said that we are very proud of Curlin and very proud to be on his side."
1:41 p.m. … Did Moss ever consider the Classic with Zenyatta? "It never really entered our minds. We were always pointing toward this race, the Ladies’ Classic. OK she’s an undefeated filly and she might do well against colts, but this would be the first time she runs a mile and a quarter. Maybe there’s another time for that if she runs next year, and there’s some mile and quarter races for fillies we can try."
1:42 p.m. … Edgar Prado will ride Colonel John after Garrett Gomez chose to ride Go Between in the Classic. Harty said he wasn’t surprised by the deicison by Gomez and his agent.
1:43 p.m. … "Curlin looked absolutely fabulous in the California sun," Asmussen said about Curlin’s afternoon work on Monday. "The crowd erupted in the work," he said, "and Curlin jumped into the bridle." Asmussen said Curlin "has spoiled us with his consistency and ability. … I felt the track was very quick that afternoon. We were very pleased with the result." It was just a breeze, however, he added, a race is a completely different thing.
1:45 p.m. … Well Armed’s comeback from a serious health problem was a testament to the "owner’s perseverence," Harty said, then referred to WinStar Farm co-owner Bill Casner as a "hard-headed Texan." Veterinarians had recommended to Casner that Well Armed be euthanized.
1:47 p.m. … Asmussen has two others in the Classic… Student Council and Pyro."Student Council is a tremendous horse mentally and physically. He will show up and run his best race in the Breeders’ Cup. … Pyro deserves a chance at a mile and a quarter again (especially after the trouble he had in the Derby and Travers). The synthetic surface is a huge question because of his disappointing Blue Grass. But Polytrack isn’t Pro-Ride, and we’ll go from there." Asmussen refers to Curlin as a "Baby Huey" kind of horse early last year.
1:49 p.m. … Moss named many of his horses after the music business he’s in. How was Zenyatta named? "Zenyatta is named after the third Police album, Zenyatta Mondatta, which means absolutely nothing. We thought this would fit her and it has," he says.
1:51 p.m. … "Candidly after last year’s event we spent a lot of time thinking about what we could do to bring more European horses and Asian horses," Avioli said in response to a question about the increase in International runners this year. Avioli said it has to remain a "world championship." He said Breeders’ Cup officials actively recruited foreign runners. "There are more and more of these late fall championships in the world. The Arc, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Melbourne Cup. There’s a lot of competition out there for international horses."
1:54 p.m. … Tom Robbins said the Juvenile Fillies Tur f was a very difficult race to sort through and choose the field.
1: 56 p.m. … Someone asks Jerry Moss how he feels to have his unbeaten filly relegated to a Friday afternoon race (Filly Friday). "I’m just thrilled we are in the race," he says. "So in that sense whenever they decide to hold the race would be just fine with me. Whenever they scheduled it is up to them. They have the whole picture, and I’m just concerned about our horses and how they are doing. I really don’t have a comment on that. It’s not my place to ruminate about that."
1:58 p.m. … How much will be the economy going in the tank hurt this year’s Breeders’ Cup? "We will not be able to do the same level of handle that hypothetically we would have done if the economy not taken the nosedive it did.," said Avioli. Any estimate on this year’s handle? "It’s an inexact science," Avioli says. (Trust me: they have projections, they’re just not going to say what they are.)
2:00 p.m. … "European horses in the Turf are fast-ground horses," says Alastair Donald of the International Racing Bureau. He thinks the synthetic track will give Europeans a better chance to win the non-turf races, but adds, "I still think that we may put out our best performances on the turf." As for European horses coming to California, Donald said it isn’t the heat that gets to the European horses or the firm surface, but the farther distance horses must travel (as opposed to Belmont or Churchill Downs). It’s also the end of a long year for many of them, he added. "The steroid situation is greatly improved and there is consensus that we are on a level playing field. The synthetic surface helps level the playing field, too."
END OF TELECONFERENCE
Tags: 25th anniversary breeders' cup, alastair donald, Breeders' Cup, breeders' cup classic, california racing, colonel john, Curlin, cushion track, eoin harty, european horses, Greg Avioli, Horse Racing, international racing bureau, jerry moss, joe the plumber, oak tree racing association, Paulick Report, police, pro-ride, Ray Paulick, rick hammerle, santa anita park, sherwood chillingworth, steve asmussen, sting, synthetic surface, synthetic track, tom robbins, well armed, world championships
Posted in Breeders' Cup, California, Curlin, Horse Racing, International Racing, Racing Greats | 6 Comments »
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
Ray Paulick will be live blogging today’s National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference with Jess Jackson, majority owner of Horse of the Year Curlin, during which Jackson will announce a decision regarding Curlin’s pre-entry for the Breeders’ Cup. Pre-entry deadline is noon today (local time), and the list of pre-entered horses will be announced on Thursday.
Curlin worked in company between races Monday at Santa Anita Park, going five furlongs in :59.12 on the newly installed Pro-Ride synthetic surface. Click here to see a video of the work.
The teleconference is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Eastern.
1:03 p.m. … Breeders’ Cup spokesman Jim Gluckson opens the call by introducing Jackson.
1:03 p.m. … Jackson extends his sympathy toward the Big Brown due to the injury that ended his career, then goes on to the business at hand.
"As a native Californian, nothing gives me more pleasure than announcing that Curlin will be entered ion the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
1:05 p.m. … Jackson hands it over to Breeders’ Cup president Greg Avioli, who must have had his phone on mute when he let out a huge sigh of relief at the news. Avioli then thanked Jackson profusely for helping raise awareness of the Breeders’ Cup by announcing that Curlin will go for a repeat.
1:07 p.m. … Back to Jackson. "This would add just one more dimension to the horse. … It’s not about the money. It’s about him." Jackson calls Curlin one of the greatest horses of the century (the 21st or 20th?) "It’s about the sport. I’ve tried to revive the passion for the sport of Thoroughbred racing."
1:08 p.m. … Asked about the Pro-Ride track, Jackson said it’s faster than anything Curlin’s raced on and made the comment that it "makes the race shorter" — an interesting observation. Jackson also said he is worried about what looks like a lack of early speed in the race. Is there time to go out and buy a rabbit?
1:09 p.m. … Did Jackson owe it to racing to run Curlin? "No," Jackson said. "I think I owe it to the horse. … I do want to help enlarge the fan base and give hard core racing fans the chance to see him one more time. But that’s secondary. I’m a Californian and was born a few miles from the track. I want to see him race at one of the great tracks of the world."
Jackson would not commit to the Breeders’ Cup being Curlin’s last race. He is still considering a 2009 campaign, or the Japan Cup Dirt or the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs later this year Jackson again mentioned The Japan Cup Dirt poses a timing issue with quarantine and travel but is not insurmountable, Jackson said. He referred to the fact Congress is looking into racing and seeking input from owners about how to make the sport more successful and keep more older horses in training.
1:13 p.m. … The insurance for one year on a horse like this is over $3 million, Jackson said, in response to a question about whether or not the legal problems of co-owner Shirley Cunningham and William Gallion complicate the horse’s ability to race in Japan or be sold for stallion purposes. He claims the legal issues are not a factor (the men will be retried on charges involving fees they took in a class action lawsuit).
1:15 p.m. … A question about Horse of the Year. He should win, Jackson, said, but "It’s up to you guys." He then butters up the media by saying how smart they are!
1:16 p.m. … Jackson is asked to compare Curlin to human athletes. After speaking about Curlin’s durability and speed, he comes up with Lance Armstrong as the best human comparison. Let’s hope those frozen samples come back clean from the Tour de France and other bike races Armstrong won. There remains a cloud of suspicion about Armstrong among some in that sport.
1:20 p.m. … Responding to a question about racing Curlin next year, Jackson again refers to Congress making some changes and seeking input from owners. Jackson said he is working on a proposal to improve racing as are others. "We need uniform rules," he says. Jackson also talks about some of the "reckless tactics" employed by some jockeys, then goes back to the league concept. "A league would be a great boon to the industry (to keep older horses in training). The fan base would be excited. The owners would be compensated, and the tracks would get more revenue. If we do make that effort, regardless of who makes that effort, we need it. I don’t really care about who gets credit."
1:22 p.m. …. Jackson said for self-interest he would rather this year’s Breeders’ Cup be on a conventional dirt surface, but isn’t willing to criticize the Breeders’ Cup or California officials for their decisions to go synthetic.
1:24 p.m. … Where might Curlin stand if retired next year? Talks with breeding farms are confidential regarding where Curlin might stand, Jackson says. But he adds there have been no serious talks yet anyways.
1:26 p.m. … Jackson calls himself a "pretty fair handicapper" and says there appears to be a lack of speed in the prospective Classic field. He calls Go Between and Well Armed two serious competitors. "This race is more interesting than any Classic because of so many uncertainties."
1:28 p.m. … A question about the "reckless abandon" of jockeys Jackson commented on. Jackson said the jockeys of Hard Spun (Garrett Gomez) and Rags to Riches (John Velazquez) may have conspired to get Curlin beat. "Larry Jones, one of the best trainers in the industry, wanted Hard Spun to go to the lead. His jockey pinned Curlin in on the rail." Jackson said when he saw the two jockeys high five after Rags to Riches beat Curlin by a nose, he thought they might have been in "cahoots."
1:32 p.m. … The loss of Big Brown was a shame, Jackson said, because the industry "lost the momentum" it had going into the Breeders’ Cup in anticipation of the big matchup between Big Brown and Curlin. Momentum?
1:35 p.m. … "Steve Asmussen and Scotty Blasi have been a great team of trainers and I’m very appreciative of what they’ve done." Jackson said he may have picked the targets, but Asmussen and Blasi did tremendous work in getting Curlin ready for them.
END OF TELECONFERENCE
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Tags: Breeders' Cup, breeders' cup pre-entries, Curlin, jess jackson, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick
Posted in Breeders' Cup, Curlin | 8 Comments »
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