Curlin pointing to Arc??
 

per DRF.com

"Asmussen said nothing beyond the Foster is set, and it is possible the colt may not run in October in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, which he won last fall. Asmussen said the Arc de Triomphe and/or the Japan Cup are being kicked around as alternative races so as to showcase Curlin in other parts of the world."



http://drf.com/news/article/94317.html

i refuse to believe that the Arc or Japan Cup are seriously being considered.

It wouldn't be awesome though wouldn't it.....The ARC, I would probably find a way to get there if he did that.

I'm not so sure. I believe Assmussen would be set against running on a synthetic track for the BC Classic. If Curlin is still running in the fall, and that's a big IF, I could see them taking a shot at one of those other races.

he'd stand a MUCH better chance at Santa Anita than he would in those other races, in which he would have no shot imo.

I'd give him a pretty good shot in the Japan Dirt Cup, but the Arc is a bit of a reach. That said, I wouldn't be against it if they took a shot at the latter race. (not that my opinion counts!)

why would he have 'no shot' in the Arc, my guess is that he would have a prep here(Maybe the Arlington Million??) and he is bred to love the lawn and he is a good horse.

When is the ARC anyways?

I'm still trying to figure out why he would have 'no shot' in the Japan Cup for example. He did win the Dubai World Cup... which was the best the world had to offer?

Jesus, dude, learn something about the game.

Personally, I feel the Japan cup is nothing, but winning the Arc makes this horse a legend.

What does winning the Japan Cup do for him?

:)

I am not versed in stuff over the pond, I use Brockguy as my source of information. When is it

Actually, I know it is in September or first week of October becuase they always talk about the Arc winner coming for BC, right?

It's probably the biggest race in the world...as well as the biggest day of racing in Europe.


Here's an idea.....google French Gallop. Think of this as a learning opportunity.

Already rocked Wikipedia on it, first sunday in October.

So that would mean they could use the Arlington Million as a test, and he would have 7 weeks to get ready for the Arc.

Now that would be f'n cool

I highly doubt he will go to the Arc, though it would be cool, but if he does I am guessing he won't try the turf beforehand.

okay, but is it the Japan Dirt Cup or the Japan Cup which is on grass? the quote says the Arc and Japan Cup so I assumed it was the grass race.

if they mean the Japan Dirt Cup, yeah he would have a chance there especially this year because they are running it at Hanshin at 9F. but it would not be easy to ship in there and win.

scav, why would he not have a shot in the arc? off the top of my head lets start with no grass experience facing the best grass horses in the premier grass race in the world, couple that with running at 12f on a tricky undulating course that he has no experience on, add to that his running style seems suited for dirt, he doesn't cruise along and explode, he's more of a steady grinder, he is a large barrel chested horse which I don't believe fits the mold of your proto-typical Arc winner.

You think they would just throw him into that situation without trying it first? I guess that is one way of doing it, if I was in charge :), I would probably at least try it here first before going bonkers over there.

Why wouldn't they try it, because it could decrease his value?

Winning the Arlington Million does nothing for him. Winning the Arc would make him a virtual immortal. The reason they are discussing races like the Arc and Japan Cup is because of timing, as they have indicated a reluctance to running him in the BC on synthetic surfaces, and thus the overseas races would, in all likelihood, be his final appearances. It logically follows that he will run in US dirt races, which would ( at least slightly ) enhance his value and likely pad his earnings, before taking a shot at something more substantial.

I understand the logic in suggesting that should he try the Million, and bomb, they would know not to waste their time in Paris, but by running in logical, and prestigious, spots here, and likely winning, and then making a final parting, and sporting, gesture, like the Arc becomes a no lose situation for them....with unprecidented upside. If he runs in the Arc he would be passing on the Jockey Club Gold Cup only. I will miss seeing him....but as they say....." Been there, done that. "

it really would. and as much as I think he would be up against it in the Arc, I would be thrilled to see them try it as the finale of his career. there really isn't much downside. if he flops, oh well he can rest on his dirt laurels. If he runs respectable or better, then it only adds to his already large resume.

Yeah, it really wouldn't hurt his value in the least to lose and would increase it significantly if he were to win. That's the only reason I am believing there is any chance they'd try it.

You don't even know when the fricken race is so how do you know it makes a horse a legend.. What's legendary is your opinion! Do you even know where it is run or any of the past Legendary Champions?

Hey numnuts, I know that the Arc is a very big race, god forbid I didn't know when the race was exactly placed.

And you don't think an american horse that has won the BC Classic, and then goes and wins the Arc wouldn't be considered legendary?

This horse would have a shot in any race, anywhere, at any time. A win in the Arc would stamp him as possibly the greatest horse of all-time when it comes to achievements. That is if he wins the BC Classic again.

He starting fee as a stallion would probably be $250,000 if he won that race. Not just because that would make him a great dirt and turf horse but because he is so sound.

lol.....I know why.

00000000

who cares if curlin wins a race in europe or japan? looks more like an excuse not to run the horse anymore then they have too. jmo.:o

Because the Arc is one of the most prestigious races in the world. . . I like the fact that they're considering actually having a little fun with this horse rather than playing it safe and keeping him on dirt against overmatched opponents. I couldn't care less if he wins the Stephen Foster or the JCGC or maybe even the BC Classic with what his competition would most likely be. But for him to run in the Arc would bring some excitement to a sport that needs it right now.

Anything to keep Curlin running is fine with me.

if they're seriously considering the arc or japan cup, then he must really be strongly against running him on the fake stuff. the reason they're looking at the arc or japan cup is the $$$$$. those two races have the biggest purses this fall outside of the bc classic and they have stated clearly that they want the all time earnings record.

Hmmph.

Am I the only one who thinks they're saying all of this to put pressure on the BC and Santa Anita to install a dirt surface?

What do you think would happen if Santa Anita announced tomorrow that they were going back to a dirt track? Does the plan change, or do they continue to prepare for a race overseas?
Coach you beat me to it!

It's not the money that he would win from the purse. Its what J Jackson would be able to set the stud fee at, would be the motive.

Imo they want go to the Arc as a jester but to win it. Thus a prep on the grass would make sense, To agree with you risking a loss over here against lesser foes would be a negative. I can see the logic either way.

I agree. He's bred to love the turf as well, so why not?

He's gonna get the earnings record regardless of where he goes in the fall..

So you'd rather see him beat up on Better Than Bonds and Magna Graduate and Wanderin Boy all year than see him go try the best turf horses in the world in one of the most prestigious races on earth for a shot at immortality?

not necessarily. he still has to win. and they don't just want to break the record. they want to win as much as possible; which of course means entering races with the richest purses.

Paris would never be the same

No one's gonna show up in the Stephen Foster, that's $450,000 right there, giving him $9.25 million. Whitney pays $450,000 for first, Woodward pays $300,000, Gold Cup pays $600,000. You don't think he has it sewn up barring injury?

Makes him very attractive to Japanese breeders which is where there is a strong possibility where he will land at stud