Bye bye Curlin ?
Part-owner Jess Jackson admits he's conflicted about whether or not to race Curlin next year at age 4, saying his role as a breeder was tugging at him just as much as his role as a racing fan.
Curlin added yesterday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic to his victories in the Preakness Stakes, the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cub and the Arkansas Derby, and will undoubtedly earn Horse of the Year honors when the votes are tabulated shortly.
"There's an inner quarrel with me," said Jackson, who heads up Stonestreet Stables. "Inside, cerebrally, I'm saying, 'Here is a horse that can help change the direction of breeding in America, maybe the world (because of his speed, stamina and size).' So on one part, I'm saying I'd love to have the American breed grade upward with durability, distance and speed that Curlin represents.
"On the other hand, I'm a racing fan. I've always been a handicapper. I love to see the tried and true come back and back and back. I'd love to see him race again. We'll see what happens. It is a financial game. But there's a lot of heart in it by (Curlin's team)."
The decision-making process should be interesting. Padua Stables (George Bolton) also owns a piece of Curlin, as does Midnight Cry Stable. The latter is headed by lawyers William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr.; they are in the Boone County (Ky.) jail stemming from charges of defrauding clients of $62 million
He can change the direction of American breeding? How could we possible think of racing him when he can change the whole breed!!!
If it wasn't so sad it would be funny...
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