Alter strongly invested in Curlin's offspring
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer turned owner and breeder Happy Alter was among those happy to see Exaggerator register a mild upset last weekend at Pimlico in the Preakness. Exaggerator is a son of Curlin, and Alter has been a major proponent of the two-time Horse of the Year since he first entered stud in 2009.
Alter currently has seven progeny of Curlin in his stable, including Curlin’s Princess, who will be among the favorites in Friday’s $44,000 allowance feature at Gulfstream Park.
“I started believing in Curlin early, when his stud fee was only $25,000,” Alter said on Wednesday. “Now, it’s $100,000 and will probably go up again next year with Exaggerator becoming his second Triple Crown winner.”
Palace Malice became the first son of Curlin to win a Triple Crown race by capturing the Belmont Stakes in 2013.
“All in all, he’s proving to be a very good son of his father [Smart Strike],” said Alter. “I have seven sons and daughters of Curlin of different ages in training at the moment, including a 3-year-old named Curlin’s Approval, who is a half-sister to Apologynotaccepted.”
Apologynotaccepted, 5, won her career debut by 16 lengths here in March. Alter subsequently sold a half-interest in his homebred filly to owners Gary Barber and Adam Wachtel.
Curlin’s Princess has won 2 of 14 career starts under the tutelage of trainer Marty Wolfson. She’ll get some class relief in Friday’s second-level optional $35,000 claiming race at seven furlongs.
“She has ability, but it was really tough down here this winter, so this will definitely be an easier spot for her,” said Alter, who campaigned three-time Grade 1 winner Jolie’s Halo and the world record holder Frosty the Snowman during his training career. “There is a lot of speed in this race, so I’m hoping she can rate a little bit off the pace. She’s already won at six furlongs and a mile, so she should not have any problem handling seven-eighths on Friday.”
Curlin’s Princess will face a field that includes several other fillies and mares getting some class relief, led by the speedy Fond of Sarah, stakes winner Vieja Luna, and Celebrity Star.
As for Apologynotaccepted, Alter is looking forward to seeing her back in action shortly. A daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus currently trained by Bill Mott, Apologynotaccepted finished second as the odds-on favorite under allowance conditions at Keeneland on April 15, four weeks after her eye-catching maiden win for the locally based David Kassen.
“She wasn’t with Bill very long when she ran at Keeneland,” said Alter. “But now he’s had ample time to get to know her better and prepare her for her next start, which should come close to Belmont [Stakes] time.”