Edit: 10/14/08: Curlin is CONFIRMED for the Breeders’ Cup Classic! See below for more details.
Curlin put on a good show for his supporters as he took to the main track at Santa Anita on Monday in a public workout going 5 furlongs officially in :59.11. The son of Smart Strike galloped out in 1:12.14. Ron Correll has a full write up with juicy quotes and all over at Trackside View.
All systems look go from where I sat in my living room. I know some of you were lucky enough to have been there and so far I’m hearing nothing but good things. With the unfortunate loss of Big Brown from Classic consideration, it would appear that Curlin’s main challenges in the defense of his Classic championship will be the Japanese invader Casino Drive, Well Armed, Go Between, and perhaps Colonel John.
He really looked impressive to me. All worries about how he’d handle the hotter afternoon sun on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita were sufficiently put to rest in my mind. I’m also comforted by some recent perusing of Bill Finley’s book Betting Synthetic Surfaces: Conquering Racing’s Newest Frontier. I don’t want to steal any of Bill’s thunder, but suffice to say his Smart Strike lineage should not be a hindrance in the Classic. Further, the versatility Curlin has shown in winning races on dirt tracks all over the country, and running well in one of the better Grade 1 turf races (if not THE best) in the U.S. would suggest he’ll run like the champion he is…and if today’s workout was any indication I see no reason to doubt that.
I’ll say this, if bettors let Curlin go off at anything like 3/1, I’ll take it all day long. No questions asked. I’ve seen enough to turn risk turning multiple $2 units into $8 units. Especially in the current economic climate (Wall Street rallies of the day notwithstanding). Where do I sign up? 
Edit: Updated 10/14/08: Owner Jess Jackson confirms Curlin will run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on 10/25. See the full announcement here:
http://articles.tracksideview.com/2008/10/14/curlin-confirmed-for-breeders-cup-classic.aspx
Old Trevor Denman certainly is getting ahead of himself in guaranteeing Curlin’s appearance in the Classic. Must be getting kickback from the genius BC marketing people.
Sorry, Kevin, but I really believe he’s headed to Japan for the dirt Japan Cup. Notice how in the press conference following the workout, Jess Jackson pointed mentioned the five fatalities at Santa Anita since September 24 (less than three weeks). “It’s a major factor in my mind,” Jackson said. “Curlin’s health is more important than anything else.”
That’s a good point, Val….and I thought synthetic surfaces were supposed to prevent such fatalities (at least in theory).
I’m just guessing that there is so much pressure on now to have Curlin show up - since the Classic would be an absolute joke without Curlin or Big Brown - that he’ll do what racing needs so that the BC isn’t a total flop.
Plus….the JDC is in December, right? Conceivably they could do both.
I think he’s (Jackson) very hesitant, and rightfully so, but at the end of the day they’ll still go. We’ll see though. Nothing’s a lock at the moment. Now that Curlin’s there and getting acclimated, it may be much harder not to run than to run.
Thank you for posting the workout. I didn’t have the chance to catch it myself.
Thanks for posting the work out. I have been looking for it.
He looks great! Happy horse! Pancho looks good too!
I hope he runs in the Classic and Japan.
Alright! That was a real work, very impressive. He’s so awe-inspiring when he moves like that, no doubts in my mind who’s going to be saying bye-bye to the Classic field come breeders cup time! Lets just hope for the good news today when Jess Jackson is supposed to announce if he’s entered.
Go Curlin!!
It’s official!!!! Jess Jackson just confirmed that he’s running in the Classic. I put this link above in the article as well:
http://articles.tracksideview.com/2008/10/14/curlin-confirmed-for-breeders-cup-classic.aspx
3-1, Kevin? That would be a miracle! 6-5 is more likely. What a shame Big Brown isn’t able to run against him.
That’s what I’m thinking as well. With Big Brown and Henrythenavigator and Duke of M, perhaps we’d get the 3/1 that Denman mentioned during the workout, but if it’s just Curlin it would be highway robbery to even get him at 2/1.
Thanks for the workout video and discussion. Very interesting