Yikes

[byalip]

No matter what, Curlin finally jump started this Derby Train...it was just chugging along before the AK Derby.

He made a VERY impressive start....unfazed by all the positioning after the break, and he took command of his path without incident.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by byalip

No matter what, Curlin finally jump started this Derby Train...it was just chugging along before the AK Derby.

He made a VERY impressive start....unfazed by all the positioning after the break, and he took command of his path without incident.

I liked that he was used a bit early to insure Deadly Dealer couldn't get right to the rail on the first turn.

He's the biggest $3 million steal ever.

[Payson Dave]

It was a visually impressive finish...he drew off quite nicely

[miraja2]

It was officially the largest winning margin in the histroy of the Arkansas Derby.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I guess if a knock can be found on Curlin's performance....he was up close to a tremendously slow early pace.

There were two MSW races earlier on in the card.

*Wire-to-wire winner of the 1st Mike's Honey Bunny, a NY bred filly who never was on the lead at any point in her career, ran an opening quarter in 23.44

* In the other MSW race, Cantallbechiefs, who also has never sniffed the early lead in his career, ran an opening quarter in 23.50.

Both faster than the 23.56 pace set by Deadly Dealer. To get a better idea how slow the pace was....Slew By Slew---who rallied from DEAD LAST around two-turns, in each of his last two starts, was the horse in 2nd pressing the pace.

So---the nice trip and slow pace, which really helped Deadly Dealer even more than Curlin, should be taken into account when you factor in the sparkling final furlong....and also, the last 1/8th at Oaklawn Park historically seems to yield faster times than other tracks do.

[byalip]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I liked that he was used a bit early to insure Deadly Dealer couldn't get right to the rail on the first turn.

He's the biggest $3 million steal ever.

THAT's what really impressed me...and then he settled nicely and didn't fight for the pace. Curlin took COMMAND over that path early on. Tough and relaxed horse.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by byalip

THAT's what really impressed me...and then he settled nicely and didn't fight for the pace. Curlin took COMMAND over that path early on. Tough and relaxed horse.

after he turned the corner into the stretch he ran straight as an arrow, all business and within himself. This horse is scary good.

[Cannon Shell]

For those who love Curlin I have two words....









































Robby Albarado

[ArlJim78]

Albarado is the only negative about the horse I can come up with.
but yeah you're right, not inspiring.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

For those who love Curlin I have two words....









































Robby Albarado

you you you...party pooper you! lol

i don't have curlin other than in my rttr stable. not quite sure why.....he seems to do pretty well, just not one that i've ever gotten excited about.

altho, since i would like to see the ar derby achieve gr 1 status sometime this century, i'd like to see curlin do well with the time he has left to race. why, he may even make bernardini look like a horse with a long career.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Danzig

you you you...party pooper you! lol

i don't have curlin other than in my rttr stable. not quite sure why.....he seems to do pretty well, just not one that i've ever gotten excited about.

altho, since i would like to see the ar derby achieve gr 1 status sometime this century, i'd like to see curlin do well with the time he has left to race. why, he may even make bernardini look like a horse with a long career.

He is owned by two of the biggest commercial breeders out there. Therefore I believe if he runs really well he will have a short carer and if he runs poorly he will have a short career.