Sunland: Quiet Again out for repeat in Curribot

Quiet Again has quietly compiled a career record of 16 wins from 44 starts, and when he defends his title Sunday in the $50,000 Curribot at Sunland Park, he will be chasing his 10th career stakes win. The horse, a 7-year-old son of Real Quiet who has had the bulk of his success in New Mexico, has earned $572,369.

“He is an honest horse,” said Jimmie Claridge, who trains Quiet Again for Paul Thomason. “He’ll try wherever you put him. He’ll run short and he’ll run long. He’s so nice to have around.”

The Curribot, at 1 1/16 miles, is part of Sunland’s route series for older horses. It culminates with the $100,000 Sunland Park Handicap on April 15. Quiet Again won the first race in the series last month, when he outgamed Red Lead by a head in the $50,000 Winsham Lad on Jan. 8.

“I thought there would be a little more speed last time,” Claridge said. “We would up pretty close on the front end. He had to put one away and come on after that. I was proud of him.”

Quiet Again will break from the rail in the Curribot, under Duane Sterling.

Claridge said the Sunland Handicap remains a long range goal for Quiet Again, but he will probably run back before then, in the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial, a 6 1/2-furlong race on the undercard of the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby on March 25.

“He likes this racetrack,” said Claridge. “He does well here.”

Quiet Again is 7 for 21 at Sunland.

The chief threat Sunday appears to be Red Lead, who before the Winsham Lad won a $25,000 optional claiming allowance by more than seven lengths at Sunland. Ken Tohill has the mount for Joe Davis and trainer Chris Hartman.