Equine Daily--The Equine World's Top Headline of the Day

CURLIN PULLS POST NINE
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Horse of the Year and defending champion of last years Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) Curlin drew post nine October 21.

The son of Smart Strike, he is the current favorite at 7-5 odds. He will be facing eleven rivals in this year's Classic. Unfortunately, as we all know, these rivals do not include Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) and Preakness Stakes (GI).

Steve Asmussen, the trainer of Curlin, stated it was a perfect position. "It's a fine draw; there is plenty of run to the first turn. It's a perfect spot."

The Classic will be run at 1 1/4 miles on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride synthetic surface. This marks the first time that the race will be run on this surface.

Curlin made his last start September 27 in Belmont Park's Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI), which he won by three quarters of a length. He is stabled and worked at Santa Anita, but has never been run on synthetic surfaces. This apparently does not phase him or his fans, however.

Asmussen stated, "He's trained on the synthetic, here and at Keeneland. I think a higher percentage of horses train well over it than run over it. However, we are excited about the opportunity to race here."

Asmussen will also send out Grade I winner Student Council, who drew the number seven post and won the Pimlico Special (GI).

Curlin races for Stonestreet Stables and the stable's principal, Jess Jackson. Barbara Banke, his wife, said at the post position draw, "This is a great field, but we have confidence."

When asked if this would be Curlin's last race, she replied, "We hope not, but that's up to my husband. We'll see. Let's get through Saturday first."

Among the eleven challengers are Raven's Pass (odds of 6-1), Henrythenavigator (10-1), and Duke of Marmalade (10-1). These are all European horses, and are in the quarantine barn to avoid the spread of foreign diseases. Duke of Marmalade is rated as the top Thoroughbred in Europe, but he surrendered to the field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) in which he finished a disappointing seventh.

Colonel John also appears, with Edgar Prado on top. He won the Travers Stakes by a nose over Mambo in Seattle, and although his owner thinks highly of him, the fans do not, and have put him at odds of 20-1.

Get ready for Saturday! ~Equine Lover