Steve Asmussen, Curlin's trainer, put it succinctly. "Curlin is a classy individual. He did so much in such a short time and at the highest level." The 'walk in the muddy park' in the Breeders' Cup Classic sealed Horse of the Year honours for the son of Smart Strike. Curlin finished the year with six wins in nine starts. The Arkansas Derby, the Preakness, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the BC Classic were Curlin's more important race victories.
Curlin was the fourth choice in the wagering. He was the biggest horse and it was plain for everybody to see in the paddock. There was a theory that Monmouth Park's turns would not suit his running style. Curlin's Haskell loss at Monmouth in early August dampened the spirits of a large number of fans. Curlin won in a manner that obliterated every negative hurled at him.
War Pass won the Juvenile Dirt Mile in decisive fashion. Street Sense's win in the Juvenile and in the Kentucky Derby has put some holes in the Juvenile-Derby jinx. All going well, War Pass should be a major player in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in 2008.
Discreet Cat will not race any more. The Forestry colt was a disappointment in the Juvenile Turf. After a poor race in the Dubai World Cup, Discreet Cat was beaten in the Vosburgh when prepping for the BC. Discreet Cat will stay in America for stud duty for a fee of $30,000.
Scorpion pulled up lame after work on Monday at Sandown Race Course in Australia. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was getting ready for the Melbourne Cup to be run at Flemington race track next Tuesday. Scorpion, winner of the St Leger in 2006 and the Coronation Cup this year at Epsom, will be sent to stud. "It is a ligament-related problem. Scorpion will be OK but his racing days are over," O'Brien said on arrival in Australia.
Mahler, another O'Brien runner, will take his chances in the 'race that stops a nation.' Purple Moon, trained by Luca Cumani, will also be in the field.
End of Wednesday, Jamie Spencer led Seb Sanders 181-175. Sanders had a riding treble at Lingfield. Spencer, riding at Kempton's evening program, had one winner. Sanders was returning after a two-day suspension. Spencer has a two-day ban that he will take on November 6 and 7.
Richard Hughes is well known in India. He has ridden in India with considerable success. He will ride at the jump meetings this winter. He is taking out a licence. Hughes has 128 winners this year and occupies the fourth place in the jockeys' standings.
On Wednesday, Saint Cloud in Paris hosts the Criterium International. It is for freshmen over 1,600 metres. The track will be soft. Passage of Time beat Soldier of Fortune in this Group I race in 2006. Thewayyouare, trained by Andre Fabre, will be ridden by Stephen Pasquier and is the likely favourite.
Lava Man missed the Breeders' Cup and will be in action in California this weekend.
The Japan Cup will be held at Tokyo Race Course on November 24 and 25. The Dirt version will be run on November 24. The grass Japan Cup will be contested on November 25.
