Curlin has big weekend at Saratoga

Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin enjoyed an outstanding weekend at Saratoga as he continues to climb the sire ranks.

His daughter Nest turned a showdown for the lead of the 3-year-old filly division into a runaway, winning the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks by 12 1/4 lengths on Saturday. A day later, in a highly anticipated matchup of Curlin’s daughters, Clairiere defeated Eclipse Award champion Malathaat to win the Grade 2 Shuvee Stakes.

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Curlin, who resides at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Paris, Ky., is the sire of 10 stakes winners this season, including a nation-leading three Grade 1 winners in Clairiere, Nest, and Obligatory. Nest is his leading earner this season, with Grade 1 victories in the Ashland and the Coaching Club, and runner-up efforts in the Kentucky Oaks and in the Belmont Stakes. Her effort in the Belmont extended a consistent record of classic success for 2007 Preakness winner Curlin. He is the sire of 2013 Belmont winner Palace Malice and 2016 Preakness winner Exaggerator, as well as Good Magic, Irish War Cry, Keen Ice, Ride On Curlin, and Tenfold, all of whom finished on the board in Triple Crown races.

Curlin ranks fourth on the North American general sires earnings list through Sunday. Factoring in only North American earnings, Curlin, with earnings of $8,989,129, sits second to three-time reigning leading sire Into Mischief, who has a bankroll of $12,389,310. Both have eight North American graded stakes winners this season.

Curlin, by Smart Strike, also made a strong run through this year’s American classics as a sire of sires. Keen Ice is the sire of upset Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, while Exaggerator is the sire of Skippylongstocking, third in the Belmont.