With his trip to Dubai set to begin Friday, and his 2008 comeback race on Feb. 28 at Nad Al Sheba scheduled for a demanding 1 1/4 miles, Curlin needed to do more than fool around in a Tuesday workout at Fair Grounds.
So, how did Curlin do? Well, to use one of trainer Steve Asmussen's regular lines, "He worked like Curlin."
ARCADIA, Calif. - If six-furlong world record holder Bob Black Jack is able to stretch his speed two turns, it will be in his own back yard. Trainer Jim Kasparoff said Tuesday that the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 15 at Santa Anita is the likely next start for Bob Black Jack, instead of the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby on March 8 at Bay Meadows.
"The El Camino would be okay timing-wise, but if I can avoid a ship that would be good," Kasparoff said.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Horseplayers familiar with the long-running "I Love New York" ad campaign may get their hearts broken on Valentine's Day. Barring an 11th-hour solution to the apparently stalemated franchise negotiations, the New York Racing Association was set to shut down racing operations at the conclusion of Wednesday's card.
Should Thursday's program go forward, the feature is race 3, a $52,000 optional claimer at six furlongs for older fillies and mares.
SAN MATEO, Calif. - When High Resolve improved her record to 5 for 5 in winning the Princess Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Bay Meadows last Saturday, there was some feeling that this Saturday's Sophomore Stakes for 3-year-olds would not live up to that performance.
But it may.
The race could have an equally strong favorite in Sea of Pleasure, a Gary Stute-trained colt who looks as dominant as High Resolve did for trainer Greg Gilchrist.
OCALA, Fla. - Halo Najib earned Kentucky Derby consideration with a resounding 2 3/4-length victory in Monday's $150,000 Darley-OBS Championship Stakes for 3-year-old males at 1 1/16 miles over the Ocala Breeders' Sale Co.'s all-weather track here.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Sunday's featured ninth race was supposed to be a step along the Kentucky Derby trail for a pair of promising 3-year-olds, recent maiden winners Bordeaux Bandit and Jockey Ridge. Instead, the first-level allowance race turned out to be a showcase for the Calder-based Hey Byrn, who overwhelmed the favorites en route to an eye-catching 14 1/2-length victory.
The fact that Hey Byrn won the race did not surprise his trainer, Eddie Plesa Jr., in the least, though he admitted that he did not expect that type of performance.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Well Armed's desperate win in Saturday's $250,000 San Antonio Handicap on Saturday was a prep to the $6 million Dubai World Cup in the Middle East on March 29, trainer Eoin Harty said Sunday.
After conferring with owner Bill Casner, of WinStar Farm, Harty said that Well Armed will pass the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 1 in favor of the more lucrative race in Dubai.
"I don't think you could do both," Harty said. "They want to go to Dubai."
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Barrier Reef, winner of the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 2, has been transferred from Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's Darley Stable to his Godolphin Racing operation and was to have shipped from New York to Payson Park in Florida on Tuesday.
Barrier Reef will remain in the United States and be trained by Rick Mettee, Godolphin's American-based assistant to Saeed bin Suroor. Tom Albertrani was Barrier Reef's previous trainer.
ARCADIA, Calif. - Georgie Boy's comeback in Sunday's $150,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita was worth the wait.
Making his first start since winning the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last September, Georgie Boy rallied through the stretch to win the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths, easily conquering the graded stakes winners Into Mischief and Massive Drama.
Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Georgie Boy ($7.80) ran seven furlongs in 1:20.01.
NEW ORLEANS - Indian Blessing got from Point A to Point B much faster than did Pyro on Saturday at Fair Grounds, running 1 1/16 miles in the Silverbulletday Stakes almost one second faster than Pyro did winning the Risen Star. But while Indian Blessing visibly tired in her final furlong, Pyro came through the stretch like he had been shot from a cannon, covering his final quarter-mile in less than 23 seconds on the way to an improbable last-to-first win.