Full of Run

What the heck does Curlin have to do to please some people? He is a winner of over $9 Million, has won 5 Grade/Group 1 Stakes including the Preakness, the Breeder’s Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup, and has done it all in a racing career lasting (so far) a little more than 17 months. He’s won 9 of 13 starts and has never finished off the board. His tour-de-force in the Breeder’s Cup was a tick off the track record, and his World Cup vistory was by a record margin (which he accomplished with ease).

Then, yesterday, in one of the most sporting gestures we’ve seen in a long, long while, Jess Jackson tried his champion on turf for the first time. The result? A game second in the Grade 1 Man O’ War Stakes. He was beaten by a former Breeder’s Cup Turf Champion and finished ahead of another former Breeder’s Cup Champion. In doing so he acheived a Beyer Speed Figure of 104, which is tied for the 4th best turf figure of 2008. He performed tremendously against a good group of runners on their preferred surface.

You’d expect universal praise to reign down on Curlin. That is, unless you frequent horse racing forums. Then you’d expect the usual posts of “It’s over for Curlin” and “Curlin goes bust” and “Curlin turf experiment fails.” It is always easier for some to complain. I don’t get it.

I am still a huge Curlin fan. I made the trek to Churchill to see him, because I know I may never get to see a horse this great in the flesh again. I see them all on TV, but I wanted to see Curlin up close and he did not disappoint.

He walked in like he owned the place, and despite the yelling and cheering of the crowd, never turned a hair. The other horses in the paddock were unnerved by the crowd and had to be continually walked around the ring to keep them calm. Curlin waltzed lazily to his stall, turned around, and I swear he nearly fell alseep! They saddled him, he mozied to the track, stood around waiting for the gate to open, and then ran off to win by 4 1/2 lengths earning a Speed Figure of 110.

So, yeah, he got beat on the turf yesterday. So what? He certainly didn’t get embarrassed, and ran second to a very good horse who got a spectacular ride. While the rest of the racing community is finding fault, I am enjoying the time we have with Curlin. He’ll be gone before we know it.

At that time, I will look for the next star, and some will look for the next thing to complain about.