Curlin cruises in World Cup prep in Dubai

02/28/08

Curlin made his much-anticipated 4-year-old debut on Feb. 28th in a handicap race at Nad al Sheba Race Course in Dubai, which served as a prep for next month’s $6 million Dubai World Cup (G1) - the world's richest race.

It was no surprise he was victorious in the 1 ¼-mile race, but it appeared to be more of a success than just getting the win. With regular pilot Robby Albarado up, the 2007 Horse of the Year captured the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy Handicap by 2 1/4 lengths. But it was the way he did it that was the real story.

The Fares Farm-bred son of Smart Strike was never seriously asked to do anything by Albarado, galloping across the wire 2 1/4 lengths the best while under wraps and never breaking a sweat in the desert heat. It was the perfect prep race to get acquainted with the track, and he stopped the timer in 2:00:60 for the distance.

Curlin was carrying highweight of 132 pounds, conceding 15 pounds to his five rivals. He's now won 7-of-10 career starts and earned more than $5.2 million. The massive chestnut is already one of only 24 horses to pass the $5 million mark in career earnings and a victory in the Dubai World Cup on March 29 would propel him closer to the all-time earnings record of $9,999,815 held by Cigar. Curlin will look to become just the fourth dual winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup after Cigar (1996), Pleasantly Perfect (2004) and Invasor (2007).