Curlin Breezes at Saratoga; Haskell on Tap

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Photo: Barbara D. Livingston

Preakness winner Curlin breezed 6 furlongs Tuesday at Saratoga.
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 (Edited NYRA release)

Curlin, the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner, breezed six furlongs Tuesday over Saratoga's  fast Oklahoma Training Track in 1:14.27. The lightly-raced son of Smart Strike  who has won four of six starts is preparing for the second half of 2007.

Although Curlin is nominated to Sunday’s grade II, $500,000 Jim Dandy for 3-year-olds at nine furlongs, trainer Steve Asmussen is more likely to run in the $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park in New Jersey on Aug. 5. Monmouth is this year’s host of the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (gr. I) on Oct. 27.

Asmussen is also planning on Curlin to run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park on Sept. 30; however, another option could be Saratoga’s “Mid-Summer Derby,” the grade I, $1 million Travers, presented by New York Lottery, on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Curlin continues to be impressive in his development.

“I was very pleased with his breeze,” Asmussen said. “We’ve very excited and ready for the second half of the season, which we hope culminates in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  He accomplished a lot in a short amount of time and he’s done well since the Belmont.  He’s easily recognizable around the barn.”

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