Curlin is better than Lawyer Ron, who was just unrateable. Was his Ark Derby better than Smarty Jones? Arguably it was. The 2004 field did have Borrego and Purge so that was a better bunch but I think Curlin would've dusted both Borrego and Purge as well.
The Bellamy Road comparisons are apples to oranges, IMO, since Bellamy Road was a need the lead type. Curlin doesn't have to lead every step of the way.
So what was the best prep, anyways? People though the Blue Grass was going to be but considering how it was run, I'd say no way. The Fountain of Youth might be, since it produced both the FLA Derby winner and the Wood winner.
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