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Curlin speeds away with Jaguar Trophy in Dubai World Cup prep |
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Written by Gohorsepower.com
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Thursday, 28 February 2008 |
 Carrying 18 pounds more than his rivals in Thursday's Jaguar Trophy handicap, reigning Horse of the Year Curlin looked like he could just as easily have carried every horse in the field on his back. In his first start of 2008, and his four-year-old debut, last year's Preakness Stakes and Breeders Cup Classic winner got a perfect ride under jockey Robby Albardo to dominantly win the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy at Dubai's Nad Al Sheba Race Course. Curlin, trained by Steve Asmussen, will use the nearly 1 1/4 mile event as a prep for the world's richest race, the $6 million Dubai World Cup, coming up on Saturday, March 29.
Curlin let Imperialista take the lead early and well into the turn home in the nearly 1 1/4 mile race. Curlin showed no fear at all over the pressure from looming threats immediately behind him in a field that kept relatively close company. Smoothly driving into the stretch, Curlin easily drew away with only "one shake of the reins" as his opponents struggled behind him to deliver their best efforts. Curlin finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of second-placer Familiar Territory.
The final time was 2:00.60 in the 2,000 meter race. The distance is almost 1 1/4 miles--the classic distance run in the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic--and the Dubai World Cup is run over the same 2,000 meters.
Recommended:
Dubai World Cup and more upcoming races information - horseracingfans.net
2008 Jaguar Trophy Replay with report by Bloodhorse - NTRA.com
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