[QUOTE=miss_critic;3280406]
HRTV carries Churchill. I don’t think TVG does, but somebody else can clarify. I suppose your question was about ESPN though and unless something changes, the answer is no.[/QUOTE]
Yep, HRTV only (live) although BloodHorse does a very good job of getting the replay up (for graded stake races) within a couple hours. ESPN/ABC is likely done with race coverage until Sartoga.
I think he was always going to run, to not run him would upset his whole schedule. It was just Steve A firing a warning volley to other tracks for future races to garauntee a handy impost.
The irony is though, if he wins and wins impressively, the he could, and really should, be assigned an even higher weight in any future handicaps. Bit of a catch 22.
If weight really is that much of an issue then they should keep him out of handicaps and stick to WFA races.
Btw, anyone heard any news on Asiatic Boy? The talk after the DWC was that he would come stateside in the summer and try his hand on US dirt. He would be a welcome addition to the sparse older horse division.
Dumb question time:
Why did they school Curlin in the paddock today at Churchill? He walked over between races. Surely he’s used to all that by now? 
Or is he a bad actor at times in the paddock, hence the school?
Is it common to take an older, “been around the track a few times” 
kinda horse over to school?
[QUOTE=Beezer;3285072]
Why did they school Curlin in the paddock today at Churchill? [/QUOTE]
Maybe they wanted him to limp and get some sympathy from the Churchill assigner of weights 
Look who will be taking him on … DRF June 12, 2008
Borel seeks another Foster upset
It has been two years since jockey Calvin Borel pulled off one of the great upsets in Churchill history when he guided Seek Gold to a 91-1 win in the 2006 Foster Handicap for trainer Ron Moquett. For the record, Seek Gold raced just twice after that momentous win - and finished last both times.
Borel will ride Brass Hat in the Foster on Saturday.
Seek Gold is one of just two mega-bombs to have won the Foster in recent years. In 2004, Colonial Colony prevailed at 62-1.
Separate but equal? Einstein owned outright by Midnight Cry and Curlin 20% owned by Midnight Cry …
Despite common ownership ties, Curlin and Einstein will race as separate wagering interests because such an arrangement is permitted at Kentucky tracks in races of $100,000 or greater, according to John Veitch, chief steward for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
For Saturday, the Midnight Cry entity in the Curlin partnership is listed on the track program with Patricia Cunningham as the lessee, while the owners of Einstein are listed as Cunningham and Melissa Green, lessee.
Veitch said documents show Midnight Cry as the lessors for both horses. Veitch said the racing authority is working on changing regulations so as to “have greater control over lessors in these kinds of cases. As it stands, this is perfectly legal.”
Midnight Cry is a partnership of William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham, jailed lawyers who are awaiting trial in federal court in Kentucky on charges of misappropriating funds from a $200 million settlement from a class-action suit. Last week, lawyers for Cunningham withdrew his application for a new owner’s license in New York, thereby preventing from Einstein from racing in the Manhattan Handicap.
Saturday June 14th’s lineup at Churchill Downs for the Grade 1 $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap
27th Running of the Stephen Foster
Race 10 (off at approx. 5:51 p.m. EDT)
Distance 1 1/8-miles
PP, Horse, Weight, Jockey
If Curlin wins this inches him that much closer to eclipsing Cigar’s North American earnings record of $9,999,815. Curlin currently has about $8.8M and some change. This would plus more then $500k (if he wins) towards that record …
Some great undercard races too with names we know
Race 7 - Regret Stakes (G3) has Absolutely Cindy and Pure Clan
Race 8 - Northern Dancer S. (G3) has a slew of Derby runners and near-misses including Recapturetheglory, Pyro, Visionaire, My Pal Charlie
Race 9 - Jefferson Cup S. (G2) has Golden Yank (remember the Delta Jackpot deadheat multiple lawsuits)
Race 11 - Early Times Mint Julep H. (G3) has Dreaming of Anna
and Race 3, a maiden special weight 5-furlong, has Birdstone’s first runner trying his 2nd start (Shoe Strap)
And this is why I think Jess Jackson is a pure whine baron:
Courier-Journal June 13 "Jackson: Curlin’s 128 pounds “a real burden”
“I was surprised by such a large weight assignment,” Jackson said in a phone interview today. "Curlin will carry 10 more pounds than any other starter, so it’s a real burden. Particularly added to his No. 1 post position which causes him to be hemmed in at the start and have to go wide. So he’s giving 15 or more lengths to anybody else.
"I considered pulling him, frankly. Steve (trainer Steve Asmussen) argued he needed the work. And I do have confidence that he’s capable of carrying that weight, but in a race anything can happen. And of course, we’re risking a very valuable horse. Throwing more weight on a true champion isn’t the best thing. Handicapping is for the track and the gaming. It’s not for the benefit of the horse. We needed a level playing field.
Come on, please. Bitching and moaning about 128-lbs? It isn’t like we’re talking about 140lbs!!!
Any updates??
He won by several lengths, a bit bottled up along the backstretch but on the last turn the opening grew and he was gone. Proving that the handicap was a non factor. I suppose if he had been assigned 126-lbs at least 1 if not 2 horses in the field would’ve dropped out and he would’ve won by several more lengths.
Alas HRTV had to show Jess Jackson who had the stones to complain about the weight … ugh, lets get real!
What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!!! I LOVE this horse!!!
[QUOTE=Chiniko;3289362]
What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!!! I LOVE this horse!!![/QUOTE]
Couldnt have said it better! 
A very nice return by Curlin. Honestly, I tend to see the complaining about weight to be a tradition. You almost have to do it otherwise it’s perceived that the racing secretaries will get crazy. Threaten to pull the main attraction and secretaries across the country notice. It’s how the game is played. He won with 132 at 10f already this year then got a break of 6lbs in the DWC. No reason to think he couldn’t beat Barcola under 126.
I really like this horse! I hope he goes to Europe for The L’Arc! What a race that could be…Ithink that because he has raced with NO drugs against great horses, overseas it shows some American horses are worth it…GO CURLIN’
I agree, I really want to see him go back across the Atlantic (even thought we’ll miss him!) and take on the Arc and maybe even a few other European races next year. He’s a very classy horse. His style is unique, IMO, in that he wins easily, yet he doesn’t have the type of huge, easy, imperious stride that Man O’War or Secretariat had. Rather, he simply buckles down, digs in, and gets the job done. And Robby just sits there chilly, hardly even scrubbing on the horse…I think that’s the best way to ride a horse like Curlin. No frills, just get him clear and let him handle it. :winkgrin:
Glimmerglass, thanks for the track report, faster than drf and hooray Curlin. and love this site and the dedicated horse people.
So… I was at the track yesterday and saw this big chestnut horse. I thought he was really impressive looking. Anyone know who he is?
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/tryphena1/HPIM1797.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/tryphena1/HPIM1816.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/tryphena1/HPIM1824.jpg
[QUOTE=Texarkana;3290786]
So… I was at the track yesterday and saw this big chestnut horse. I thought he was really impressive looking. Anyone know who he is?
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/tryphena1/HPIM1797.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/tryphena1/HPIM1816.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/tryphena1/HPIM1824.jpg
:D[/QUOTE]
LOL… um… some donkey that is dominating the world???:yes:
[QUOTE=Chiniko;3290791]
LOL… um… some donkey that is dominating the world???:yes:[/QUOTE]
Think they’ll sell him to me as a jumper when they’re done? I mean, obviously he’ll never cut it as a racehorse.
:lol:
Texarkana, I do not think so because he is going to be my event horse. Think he has guts? Heehee! I just love this horse…I do not think he will like the track life eh?
As assumed, the likelyhood of seeing Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup is almost nil and furthermore there is a fair chance that he might be seen just once again in the US.
Courier-Journal June 15 - “It’s Churchill down, fun to go for Curlin”
So with a serious goal of running in France’s Arc de Triomphe – Europe’s most prestigious race, which is run on turf – he and Jackson said Curlin would also have a prep at Longchamp.
But before they return overseas, Asmussen wants to see how Curlin handles a grass surface.
In that regard, Asmussen said he’d like to see Curlin’s next start be in a month over a large turf course such as Belmont (which has the $500,000, Grade I Man o’ War), Arlington (the $200,000, Grade III Arlington Handicap) or Toronto’s Woodbine (which doesn’t have a race but has slots revenue to make one happen).
By the way with the money tally:
Kentucky-born Curlin is 9-1-2 in 12 starts. The $589,000 payday brought his earnings to $9,396,800 – trailing only Cigar ($9,999,815) and Skip Away ($9,616,360) for the career lead among North American horses.
I still wish that Hard Spun, for example, had been allowed to race just one more year. I think the position of dominance by Curlin would have had a greater run for his money.
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