Horse Betting - Curlin Going Back to the Dirt

The experiment is over. After running one race on the turf and finishing second, 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin will return to his specialty, running on the dirt. The next horse betting start for Curlin is expected to be in the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward at Saratoga on August 30th. Curlin was considered for horse betting odds in this Saturday’s Arlington Million and the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in a couple of weeks but majority owner Jess Jackson said the Woodward suits Curlin better since it is run on dirt.

The Million is on the turf and the Classic is on Polytrack. "We're doing this because it's the best thing for Curlin, and for racing, not necessarily for the money," Jackson said, "The Woodward has the least purse, but it's the best venue."

Curlin has worked three times since finishing second in the Man o’ War Stakes last month. Getting Curlin back to the dirt is the goal. "We want to show him off," Jackson said. "He's a very happy horse here."

Curlin is training at Saratoga and is comfortable on the track. Although Jackson said that running Curlin again on the turf is possible, it is not likely this year. After the Woodward it is possible that Curlin would have a horse betting race in the Jockey Gold Cup at Belmont Park on September 27th. He may also race in the Japan Cup Dirt race in Toyko in November. If that happens he would not be part of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November.

Jackson is a little bit leery of running Curlin on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface. "I'm a native Californian, and they want him," Jackson said, "But it's an untested surface. It's very uncertain. Whatever they put in at Santa Anita, it's untested. It creates great concern. Why run a horse like Curlin on a surface that's undefined? He's won the Classic already. Been there. Done that. He's been invited to the Japan Cup, to Hong Kong. We'll keep our options open. Right now, we want to get through the Woodward. We're taking it one race at a time."

It is possible that Curlin could have a horse betting match up against Big Brown if a racetrack comes up with enough money. That is also assuming that Big Brown ever races again. After an unimpressive win in the Haskell, it is possible that Big Brown might be retired to stud. Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow doesn’t think too much of Curlin though.

"I don't know why people think Curlin is such a good horse. We're way better than Curlin." Dutrow said. But this is coming from the trainer that said Big Brown was unbeatable in the Belmont so anything Dutrow said should be taken lightly. If Big Brown and Curlin don’t meet again in horse betitng odds this season it is unlikely they will ever meet as Jackson has said Curlin will probably be retired. "The chances of Curlin racing next year are slim," Jackson said.