The summer-long goal of pointing reigning Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart
Strike) toward the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) was laid to rest Tuesday
as majority owner Jess Jackson announced that the four-year-old would return to
the dirt for his next start, the August 30 Woodward S. (G1) at Saratoga over 1
1/8 miles.
Speaking at a national teleconference, Jackson said he and trainer Steve
Asmussen chose the Woodward over the upcoming Pacific Classic (G1), which is
contested over Del Mar’s Polytrack, a surface Curlin has yet to race over.
“We felt it was best for him to race on a surface where he was already a
champion and at a place where he can add to his legend,” Jackson said. “He is
very fit here and is a very happy horse here. It’s a historic venue.”
Curlin has been stabled in recent weeks at the Oklahoma Training Center at
Saratoga. His most recent breeze occurred Monday morning, when the chestnut
breezed five furlongs in 1:02 3/5 under regular exercise rider Carmen Rosas.
“We are all looking forward to the Woodward and seeing this great athlete
perform again before an American audience at this historic track,” Jackson said.
The excitement surrounding a possible bid for the Arc, Europe’s all-age
championship race, was somewhat deflated by Curlin’s second-place finish in
last month’s Man o’ War S. (G1) in his turf debut, a race that snapped a
five-race winning streak.
Jackson would not commit to any race beyond the Woodward, preferring to take
things one race at a time, but is keeping all options open include a return to
the turf later on. However, his feelings toward pursuing a second consecutive
victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita were lukewarm.
“I’d like to go (to the Classic). I’m a native Californian. But it’s on an
untested (Pro-Ride) surface. We’ve won the Classic — been there, done that,”
Jackson said.