Curlin's connections
 

THis was on the front page of the sports section of the Lexington paper this morning.

www.kentucky.com/454/story/75425.html

Very good find. A sobering reminder of the imperfection of human kind.

I didn't care much for the article. Clay chose to throw some negative light on the winner. What's the point? It would have been more interesting to read more about the horse being owned in part by a minority stable or the fact he is named for a slave.

I'm going to write an article on John Clay's dentist or lack of.

Good article, except Curlin is not a multiple Grade I winner.

Why did I think that the Arkansas derby was a grade 1 ??

because it should be? i think it will be soon! or some heads will need examining.

Does Oaklawn Park even have a grade 1?? Is the Oaklawn Handicap a graded stakes?

Apple Blossom is a G1.

Oaklawn H'cap is a G2

the oaklawn used to be gr 1, back in the day when they drew horses like cigar. but the dubai world cup has hurt the race lately, and it lost gr 1 status several years ago. however, the apple blossom is a gr1--their only one i believe. but i really think that will change, and the ark derby will return to gr 1 status. the rebel and southwest should both be graded as well, rather than just a gr 3 for the southwest. it's shown the last several years that it on par with the east and west coast preps, and has provided some top classic horses.

I'm fairly certain the Oaklawn Handicap was G1 until 4-5 years ago. I also seem to recall the Ark Derby used to be G1, but I'm less certain of that.

no, you're right. they both were, but got knocked down a peg.

I don't think that the Ark derby was ever a G1. Obviously since the success of Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex Oaklawn is really lobbying hard for G1 status. Now with Curlin's Preakness win they have more ammunition.

As for the article, it seems a bit "sour grapes" to me. If you do a bit of digging on just about any owner you'll find some "dirt." I know alot of industry insiders don't care for Jackson and Sanan's lawsuits and proposals regarding horse sales but honestly, the business is as crooked as a stick in water. They have a point. What I don't like is the whiney tone about "buying a classic winner for $3.5m." What's wrong with that? Tons of horses change hands in the months leading up to the TC, usually sold by the moderately wealthy to the extremely wealthy. Twas ever thus.

Why the comparison to Smarty Jones when taking of the original purchase price? The media bought into the idea of Smarty as some "blue collar hero" even though his sire was owned by a Shiekh and held a world record. Elusive Quality was a high class sire prospect when Smarty was concieved. He was hardly Ol' Bob Bowers. Had Curlin not been sold to Padua and Jackson, he'd be the next "working class horse" after all he "only" cost $57k.

I do see the smarmy attorneys who are disbarred in KY as a bit of a blot on his ownership, but if I'm not mistaken, they were the original owners, who'd paid the $57k for Curlin.

it was in an article in yesterdays paper that the ark derby had been a gr 1 in the past....i'll have to look it up i guess. if it hasn't been trashed already!

The Arkansas Derby was a G1 from 1981-1985.

Personally I am very happy for Satish Sanan, a man who loves the game, has put enormous amounts of money and effort into racing, has been robbed for untold millions, had the nerve to stand up for himself and what was right, and continues undaunted to support the game. Personally I hope his success continues.

Plus, he likes to gamble.

hmm, I don't know what to make of the article. I am not sure what he was trying to get across. Rogues can own really good racehorses? All you need is money?

Too bad the horse wasn't still with Helen Pitts and the original owners, there would be nothing but glowing articles on the horse. He can't choose who owns him - remember, horses can't say no......

I think he is a jerk....

He is simply conveying the feelings of many, that this group of people are hardly lovable and certainly controversial especially in light of the great stories of recent years. I think he speaks for a majority of the people in the market in which his paper is sold. Not that it matters a bit but they are not a really likable bunch.

I can tell you the two lawyers who are the original owners are not good people, and will most likely be watching future races from behind bars.