Posts Tagged ‘jockey club gold cup’
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.
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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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 »
Friday, October 10th, 2008
The following opinion piece on the Breeders’ Cup and the suggestion fans consider skipping the Friday “Ladies Day” program and that Jess Jackson run Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Turf was submitted to the Paulick Report by a longtime California racing fan and an omnipresent online contributor who goes by the pseudonym Indulto. His guest editorials and comments have appeared on numerous forums and blogs, including journalist Paul Moran’s Web site.
Indulto shares the frustration of many racing fans regarding the need to maintain multiple advance deposit wagering accounts (ADWs), and he is not a fan of what he calls the “misguided mass conversion to synthetic surfaces” mandated by the California Horse Racing Board.
The views of the writer do not necessarily represent those of the Paulick Report.
The decision to conduct Breeders’ Cup races formerly run on dirt over Santa Anita’s supposedly safer synthetic surface has created a dilemma for some owners of dirt-proven division leaders. Should they accept the risk of experimenting with their equine stars’ ability to handle this type of racetrack when it’s clear that few horses have achieved success on both? Or should they risk losing an Eclipse Award to a BC divisional event winner with an arguably lesser resume?
Jess Jackson initially claimed to be unaffected by such concerns, and repeatedly dismissed the possibility that Curlin would contest a synthetic Classic. Yet after months of casting doubt that the BC’s decision was appropriate, “America’s richest racehorse” is now stabled at the scene; scheduled to test his proclivity for Pro-ride prior to his widely-anticipated entry in the HOTY sweepstakes.
Some. including Ray Paulick in his “Well played Mr. Jackson, well played,” are praising Jackson as a marketing genius who has spurred discussion and created public demand for this once unlikely, but apparently inevitable matchup of racing stars on a surface neither has competed on. Others feel his machinations have stifled enthusiasm and lowered expectations for the event by undermining its status. Either way, with a Hitchcock-like mastery of suspense, Jackson has extended his own appearance in the spotlight. It remains to be seen whether he will be illuminated as a showman, a sportsman or something else.
In a press conference four days before Curlin’s Jockey Club Gold Cup victory, Jackson’s reluctance didn’t appear diminished:
“One race doesn’t determine a champion. You guys are sold on what the Breeders’ Cup has been saying about what the Classic does worldwide for the reputation of a horse. But you have to look at the overall performance of a horse over the year. … But the one race, the Breeders’ Cup, should not a champion determine.
“They used the Gold Cup as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup last year. This year is pretty tight and had they not changed the surface, we’d have been happy to show up to the Breeders’ Cup. But they only had less than four weeks to get prepared this time. So it’s not an entirely novel thing to go to the Breeders’ Cup for us, we’ve been there and done that. … And the Clark (at Churchill Downs in November) might be a great way to finish the season for both Big Brown and Curlin.
“The problem (with running ‘where the public appetite and interest in the sport is’) is, it’s an increase in the sport once a year. What we need is a league that shows an interest in the sport year round.”
One might now wonder whether Jackson’s testimony at the Congressional hearings advocating industry oversight represented convictions more strongly held, and whether there was any substance to his conjecture that he might run Curlin as a 5-year-old under certain circumstance that might benefit the sport.
Why am I holding Jackson’s feet to the fire? Because I agree with him that the racing industry desperately needs oversight by a central governing authority. While I don’t fancy him a friend of the horseplayer, I respect his having been instrumental in achieving reform regarding the sale of Thoroughbreds. His willingness to race Curlin as a 4-year-old — and to initially resist the BC decision to switch surfaces — suggested he was a man of principle willing to sacrifice the dollar to revitalize the sport. An effective industry governing board will require persons of demonstrated integrity.
The BC as originally implemented was an inspiration. When the “Showcase of Champions” became the crowner of champions based on a single performance against competitors they had never previously faced– under conditions which may have compromised the chances of some contestants — it lost its luster. Last year’s farce known as BC Friday has become this year’s folly labeled Filly Friday, which has fueled unprecedented negative fan reaction including a boycott-threatening on-line petition.
Handle has declined from its peak in 2003 and attendance continues to defy promotion. Yet industry leadership refuses to listen to its customers who aren’t professional players. Racing fans have always wanted to see the best face the best as often as possible, to confirm champions who have repeatedly demonstrated their superiority over their closest competition, and to be able to compare championship performances between generations of both horses and fans.
Today, they crave full, competitive, sound fields to bet on without chemically enhanced performances. They seek a level playing field on which to compete in the pari-mutuel pools for as long as their skills permit and not be sent to the sidelines prematurely by unconscionably high takeout from which only whales get relief. They long to be able to bet on-line on any race at any track through any ADW and watch the race live no matter how remote their location or what infirmities prevent them from being in attendance.
But nothing will change if fans keep opening their wallets to play while owners, tracks and ADWs ignore their existence, much less their importance. The only thing current industry leadership including the BC understands is lack of receipts. The first step in taking corrective action is to not expose one’s BC bankroll until Saturday; saving time, energy, and money while sending a message that needs to be heard.
We’re hearing a lot recently about what a good thing it is to be a maverick. Jackson seemed worthy of that title as a supporter, ironically, of tradition; and restoring the BC’s more appropriate role in championship racing. By running in the Turf instead of the Classic, Curlin’s master would not only maintain his personal credibility, but would also assume a leadership role in righting racing’s course.
Finishing second in his lone turf start — sandwiched between two previous BC Turf winners — Curlin’s defeat in the Man o’ War appeared to be more a function of riders than horses. Curlin could redeem himself against the returning Red Rocks and add to his Horse of the Year resume in the process. The best part would be that Curlin’s fans would be able to bet him with the confidence they would be getting a competitive as well as sporting effort from both horse and owner.
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Tags: advance deposit wagering, ADW, Big Brown, Breeders' Cup, breeders' cup classic, breeders' cup turf, churchill downs, clark handicap, Curlin, indulto, jess jackson, jockey club gold cup, pari-mutuel handle, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, santa anita park, synthetic surface
Posted in Big Brown, Breeders' Cup, California, Curlin, Horse Racing, Synthetic surfaces | 9 Comments »
Monday, September 29th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
Well, it was fun while it lasted, this dream of someday returning to Hialeah Park to enjoy horse racing in its most beautiful setting. Since making my first trip there in 1988, when the South Florida track already was in severe decline, I’ve held out hope that someone, somehow could restore it to some semblance of its past elegance.
At first, I let John Brunetti convince me that everyone really was out to get him and that if he could only get a break from state legislators and regulators he could be the one to bring Hialeah back. But then, as the years went by and I saw Brunetti’s recalcitrance and heard about his disingenuous actions from horsemen and others involved in Florida racing, my expectations were that Hialeah Park would never be reopened after running its last race in 2001.
Then along came Halsey Minor, reigniting the flame of hope many of us hold for Hialeah. The Internet entrepreneur and Virginia Thoroughbred owner and breeder put together a team of experts to appraise the property, map out renovations for the grandstand and clubhouse, design new barns, and develop an operating plan. He engaged Brunetti is discussions that so many of us hoped would lead to a sale of the track to Minor and the rebirth of the “sport” of racing in South Florida.
Turns out Brunetti was only jerking his chain.
Brunetti is one of those guys who has a number in his head that isn’t based on appraised values, or highest and best use of the property. The price Brunetti wants today, the Paulick Report has learned, isn’t even in the ballpark of what he was trying to get previously from the state of Florida. It’s much higher.
There is no rationale for Brunetti’s demands, for he isn’t a rational man. He just has a price, and one that isn’t based on reality – especially the reality of an economy that has seen real estate values plummet, credit tighten and development slow to a crawl.
So the talks between Minor and Brunetti are dead, unless Brunetti has any second thoughts.
Given the nature of the economy, financial markets and zoning impediments that would keep Brunetti from bulldozing the track and putting up a business park or condos, Hialeah Park isn’t going anywhere soon. It will just sit empty as Brunetti gets older and more bitter about his plight. Minor, 43 years old and involved in many other business projects, can simply wait Brunetti out and see if his heirs have more interest in doing something with the track than Brunetti.
As Minor has been quoted as saying, in that scenario Brunetti would “forego any of the recognition of giving back what he took from racing." For Hialeah Park, it’s back to hibernation, unless Brunetti changes his mind and decides that he wants to be a steward of this Thoroughbred racing gem.
SO HORSE OF THE WORLD CURLIN, GINGER PUNCH AND OTHER STAR THOROUGHBREDS racing on a program that included five Grade 1 stakes could only attract 8,563 fans to Belmont Park. No surprise there, especially considering the rainstorms that swept through the New York metropolitan area. But previous crowds to see Curlin compete at New York Racing Association tracks weren’t exactly overwhelming. For both the Woodward at Saratoga and Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup, NYRA’s marketing team tried to stir up interest in a sporting public apathetic to any racing that doesn’t involve the Triple Crown.
The problem isn’t what NYRA’s marketing department has done over the last few months. It’s much bigger than that. The challenge for the “new” out-of-bankruptcy NYRA (which looks suspiciously like the old NYRA to me) is to redefine itself and somehow overcome a reputation defined by decades of arrogance and indifference to the public.
THANKS TO THE READER WHO TIPPED US TO THE LATE SCRATCH OF SAILORS SUNSET from Saturday’s Grade 1 Ancient Title sprint at Santa Anita. A check with the California Horse Racing Board’s equine medical director, Dr. Rick Arthur, confirmed that there was a scratch on that day’s program because a horse received a pre-race throat flush that involved something other than water, the only substance permitted on race day. Arthur said there appeared to be no performance-enhancing procedure attempted on the horse (i.e., a milkshake), but that a steward’s hearing would be conducted into the matter. If Sailors Sunset was indeed the horse in question, the hearing would involve trainer Marcelo Polanco.
California’s prohibition on race-day of throat-washing products such as Wind Aid that are commonly used in some other jurisdictions could create problems at this year’s Breeders’ Cup for trainers unfamiliar with CHRB regulations. For that reason, Arthur said, the Breeders’ Cup horseman’s handbook will explain its medication rules in detail and an associate steward will be assigned to outline California medication rules to every trainer with a horse in the Breeders ‘ Cup.
BEST PERFORMANCE OF A SPECTACULAR WEEKEND OF RACING? Was it Curlin’s victory over Wanderin Boy in the Jockey Club Gold Cup? Zenyatta’s dominating performance in the Lady’s Secret at Santa Anita? Eye-popping turf victories by Grand Couturier in the Joe Hirsch Invitational Turf Classic or Red Giant in the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial? How about the stretch-running victory by the 2-year-old Tapit filly Stardom Bound in the Oak Leaf Stakes?
All were outstanding, without question, but in my book the race that might be the most overlooked was the track-record blowout by Fatal Bullet in the Kentucky Cup Sprint at Turfway Park. This 3-year-old Red Bullet gelding is a synthetic track specialist who could be very dangerous on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Who did you like in these Breeders’ Cup preps?
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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Tags: belmont park, Breeders' Cup, Breeders' Cup championships, breeders' cup classic, breeders' cup sprint, California Horse Racing Board, CHRB, chrb regulations, Curlin, dr. rick arthur, Fatal Bullet, florida racing, ginger punch, grand couturier, Halsey Minor, Hialeah Park, Horse Racing, jockey club gold cup, john brunetti, marcelo polanco, Medication, New York Racing Association, nyra, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, red giant, sailors sunset, stardom bound, tapit, triople crown, wind aid, woodward, zenyatta
Posted in Breeders' Cup, California, California Horse Racing Board, Curlin, Florida, Halsey Minor, Hialeah Park, Horse Racing, Marketing, Medication, New York Racing Association | 6 Comments »
Thursday, September 25th, 2008
By Ray Paulick
No horse has ever done what Exceller did 30 years ago when he defeated two Triple Crown winners, Seattle Slew and Affirmed, in the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. Given the unlikelihood that the sport will ever see two Triple Crown winners racing at the same time again, it’s hard to see how Exceller’s accomplishment will ever be matched. The son of Vaguely Noble may be the greatest horse never to win a year-end championship in the United States. He was an accomplished runner in Europe and in the U.S., winning 15 of 33 starts for Nelson Bunker Hunt (including seven of 10 starts in 1978), and earning in excess of $1.6 million — when million-dollar winners were rare.
Take a few minutes and enjoy this video of the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup. It was a fascinating contest. Seattle Slew broke through the gate before the start. Then, Affirmed’s saddled slipped, compromising his chances. Seattle Slew was pushed to unbelievably fast fractions for a mile and a half race, yet he fought as gamely as any horse has ever fought, right to the finish. And Exceller, under Bill Shoemaker, rallied from 22 lengths off that rapid pace to get the win.
Sadly, neither the Jockey Club Gold Cup nor the many other outstanding victories are why Exceller is known to a generation of racing fans who never had the good fortune to see him run. This grand Thoroughbred, who gave so much for our pleasure, wound up in a slaughterhouse in Sweden in April 1997, less than 20 years after his greatest racing achievement.
Exceller’s crime? Failure to succeed as a stallion?
(Read more about Exceller’s racing career and his death in a Swedish slaughterhouse. Elected to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1999, two years after his death, Exceller’s biographical information and Hall of Fame plaque fail to state his cause of death.)
Whether you believe that slaughter is a viable alternative for unwanted horses or are sickened by the thought that thousands of Thoroughbreds are led to slaughter for human consumption every year, the story of Exceller is a tragic one. No horse who did for the sport what Exceller did should have such an undignified death.
The same is true of the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand, who is believed to have died in a Japanese slaughterhouse in 2002 after not living up to expectations as a stallion.
Exceller became a cause célèbre for some racing fans who were frustrated that the Thoroughbred industry and its leaders were doing next to nothing for so many former racehorses who failed to generate revenue for their owners and ended up being slaughtered. A group of them decided they would do something about it, forming the Exceller Fund, pooling their own resources and raising additional funds, and volunteering their time to save horses from slaughter and help them transition to a second career off the racetrack. The Exceller Fund is one of many such organizations struggling to make a difference on behalf of the horses and the Thoroughbred industry.
This Saturday, to honor Exceller’s Jockey Club Gold Cup victory, a number of racetracks across the U.S. will host a “Toast to Exceller Day,” in order to raise awareness and donations for the Exceller Fund and many other equine charity groups. A special cocktail, “The Exceller,” is being sold at several tracks, including Mountaineer, Finger Lakes, Laurel Park and Presque Isle Downs, with proceeds benefting the Exceller Fund.
“I cannot thank our partner tracks enough for their support with this and I wish to especially thank the New York Racing Association for their commitment to the Exceller Fund that will be a lasting relationship for many years to come,” said leading New York trainer Gary Contessa, who in August was named president of the Exceller Fund.
Exceller did a great deal for Thoroughbred racing — then and now.
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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Tags: affirmed, bill shoemaker, exceller, exceller fund, ferdinand, gary contessa, hall of fame, Horse Racing, horse slaughter, japanese slaughterhouse, jockey club gold cup, kentucky derby, national museum of racing and hall of fame, seattle slew, swedish slaughterhouse, Triple Crown
Posted in Horse Racing, Horse Slaughter, Horse Welfare, New York Racing Association, Racing Greats | 7 Comments »
Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Curlin will be remaining in New York for his next start, the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park Sept. 27. Following is the press release from Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Farms, majority owner of the reigning Horse of the Year. — Ray Paulick
Curlin Loves New York
Following win in Saratoga, Curlin to Race at Belmont Park
LEXINGTON, KY (September 4, 2008) – Stonestreet Farms announced today that the next start for Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year, will be the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Belmont Park in New York City.
“The Jockey Club Gold Cup was selected for Curlin in order to continue his legacy as one of America’s greatest thoroughbreds,” said Jess Jackson, majority owner of Curlin.
“We are steering Curlin towards all the renowned competitions and certainly the Jockey Club Gold Cup is one of America’s most prestigious races. In the past, many of America’s top thoroughbreds sealed their honors by competing in this race. Also, this contest is in New York state where Curlin has seen much success and received an outpouring of support. Both factors weighed heavily in favor of our decision to compete again at Belmont.”
The race will be the 90th running of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, which is run on a 1 ¼ mile Grade 1 track and features 3-year-olds and up and a $750,000 purse. Curlin won the 2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup with a time of 2:01.20 and received a Beyer Speed Figure of 114.
Curlin’s win at the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course on August 30, moves him into second place behind two-time Horse of the Year Cigar as racing’s all time leading earner. Cigar’s career earnings totaled $9,999,815. Curlin’s current earnings total is $9,796,800.
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Curlin’s Career Racing Accomplishments
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Beyer
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Three-Year-Old Campaign
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Finish
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Rating
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02/03/07
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Maiden
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1st
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102
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03/17/07
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Rebel Stakes (G3)
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1st
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99
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04/14/07
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Arkansas Derby (G2)
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1st
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105
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05/05/07
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133rd Kentucky Derby (G1)
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3rd
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98
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05/19/07
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132nd Preakness Stakes (G1)
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1st
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111
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06/09/07
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139th Belmont Stakes (G1)
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2nd
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107
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08/05/07
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Haskell Invitational (G1)
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3rd
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105
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09/30/07
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Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)
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1st
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114
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10/27/07
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Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)
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1st
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119
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Four-Year-Old Campaign
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02/28/08
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Dubai Jaguar Trophy Handicap
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1st
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03/29/08
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Dubai World Cup (G1)
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1st
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130 1
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06/14/08
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Stephen Foster Handicap (G1)
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1st
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110
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07/12/08
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Man o’ War Stakes (G1)
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2nd
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104
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08/30/08
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Woodward Stakes (G1)
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1st
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112
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1Timeform rating
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Additional accomplishments:
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01/21/08
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Wins Eclipse Award "Horse of the Year"
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08/06/08
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Timeform gives Curlin a rating of 134, making him the best racehorse in the world on the strength
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of his convincing victories in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic Presented by Dodge (G1) and the
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Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) at Nad al Sheba Racecourse in March.
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Tags: belmont park, Curlin, jess jackson, jockey club gold cup, Paulick Report, stonestreet farms, woodward
Posted in Curlin | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, August 13th, 2008
Jackson issued the following statement late Wednesday afternoon:
“I am delighted that we are talking about Curlin on the day that Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian ever. Great athletes deserve great company. This is what sports is about — the thrill of competition. And it is my belief that Thoroughbred racing is indeed the greatest sport of all time.
“I made a sportsman’s proposal to Big Brown’s connections this morning to race at Saratoga Race Course in the Grade 1 Woodward on August 30, and they declined the invitation. I am disappointed by the news. I read this morning that Big Brown might be looking for a turf race at Belmont Park, so apparently, his connections are looking at other options this fall.
“I would ask Big Brown’s camp to consider the prestigious Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park on September 27 as an option. It’s a prestigious, prized race on a natural dirt surface at one of the great tracks in the world. Big Brown is a champion Thoroughbred and, most certainly, would be prepared to race at the end of September. Perhaps we could work together to get the Breeder’s Cup to add an incentive to the purse so that a specific charity would get a bigger slice of the pie.
“This has long been a part of my platform for this industry - bigger purses.
"Another part of my personal platform is to make charitable contributions. When Barbara and I bought Curlin, we immediately established the Jackson Curlin for Kids Fund whose purpose is to make a difference in the lives of children where Curlin runs or trains. In February of this year, we donated $1 million to The Woods Laboratory for equine and human cancer and infertility research. Plus we give millions to more than 600 charities every year because we believe it is the right thing to do. We also are aware of IEAH’s involvement with charitable causes, including the current construction of the Ruffian Equine Medical Center across from Belmont Park. We seem to have two great horses and a common purpose. Why not get them together?
"As to the Breeder’s Cup, it is not part of my current plan for Curlin. I felt it was the sporting thing to do to announce Curlin’s schedule to give fair notice to anyone looking to compete against the reigning Horse of the Year this fall.
"Our plan is to focus on the Woodward, look to the Jockey Cup Gold Cup, hopefully with Big Brown in the field, and review our plans after that.
"Ultimately, all of us have to do what is in the best interest of our horse. I wish Big Brown well and hope Curlin has the opportunity to compete against him. It certainly would help the industry and please the fans of both of these majestic horses."
Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report
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Tags: Big Brown, Breeders' Cup, Curlin, Horse Racing, IEAH stable, jess jackson, jockey club gold cup, Michael Iavarone, ray paulick paulick report, woodward stakes
Posted in Big Brown, Curlin | 4 Comments »
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