[Danzig]

the real question remains whether curlin should go to the arc or not. yesterdays race in no way shows what curlin could do on soft turf, which is what he'll be running on should he go to france. if they really want to know if the arc is doable, they need to take him there NOW, and run him over that course in his next start. is it possible he's a horse that wants more cut in the ground? is that why he finished second to red rocks? or is it just a matter of him not being a turfer at all? no way of knowing what type ground he wants until he leaves a firm course for a softer one, which is what they need to try him on.

i still think he'll get his butt handed to him if he goes overseas--but running in the states vs laughable turf runners gives us a poor measuring stick for his ability to handle the worlds best on turf.

we all give darley a hard time every year when they try to take the home route to the kentucky derby, saying early and often that any derby hopes they have should come here to prep. this is a similar scenario...altho i think curlin will come back empty handed if he goes over.

but he needs to try soft turf, and also tackle running clockwise.
i really think in a few days they announce they aren't going to try at all.

as for the point that they've made that tiznow won twice in the bcc, and they want to do something 'different'--remember that curlin, should he attempt a second bcc and win, would be the first to win it on two different surfaces.