Jackson moves to buyout wayward Curlin share

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

It doesn't matter if he goes back in the Classic to me. I just like seeing horses race, wherever they do race.

Respectfully, you've got to look at things like opportunities for him and if it doesn't include the Classic and he doesn't go back to try for a repeat of the Dubai World Cup, exactly what's he trying to do? He's less effective on synthetic or turf. Not sure they'd pursue a world tour. If he's just gonna do a replay of last year minus the bookends, you could just watch replays on Youtube. He either needs new races or new exciting competition. Not sure either's a guarantee. If he's gonna face Zenyatta I'm in. Otherwise I don't think you can justify it. He's got millions in insurance costs to pay and will probably break even in terms of cost on the year at best. Financially it's a lousy decision. If next year didn't have the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita I'd say give it a go. It does, so why would you? I think Jackson's figured it out and is calling it a day as soon as the ink is dry on an agreement. What more does sportsmanship demand of him? What else can the horse do that isn't redundant?

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

What else can the horse do that isn't redundant?

He can carry weight in a handicap and concede chunks to lesser horses. Like Dr. Fager and Ack Ack and Forego and so many other champions did. Ta Wee won the Fall Heightweight (then a major race) under 140 (over colts) and then beat mares in a normal handicap under 142! That's what makes a horse a legend, not beating slower horses in wfas.

[Merlinsky]

Obviously it's moot now that he's retired, but part of the weight challenge is that it keeps other horses wanting to try their hand against you. When otherwise you'd be facing a bunch of walkovers. Curlin's still getting takers. I haven't seen any fields with only a couple opponents. Plus he's also not as sharp. He's terrific but you don't just load horses up with weight for the heck of it. It's to try to balance out the field and have them all hit the wire at the same time. That's the goal. Who's he gonna face that he'd get loaded down with 140? Even if they thew a 3yo maiden in a G1, he still won't get 140. If anything they'll give the new horse some insanely low weight to make. I don't think he's got the regard to warrant the weights that would make it remotely interesting. He's well regarded and sure it's another challenge but not to the point Jackson would let them pile it on to prove a point. You'd get Asmussen pulling him from races. Ergo, no point in bringing him back to see the occasional 132.