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Curlin Goes Green

What do you get the horse that has everything?

If your Steve Asmussen, trainer of Curlin, the best dirt horse in the world, you get him grass. No, no, not that kind — racing has enough to worry about without Curlin becoming the next Ricky Williams — I’m talking grass as in turf, as in the Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, as in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp racecourse in October.

Having conquered everything on four legs and wearing a bridle on dirt, Asmussen is using the Man o’ War to test Curlin’s mettle on the lawn. "I think that's the question we want answered this weekend, if he's of the caliber to be considered for the Arc on the turf," Asmussen told The NY Times.

Can Curlin adapt to a new surface? Former Daily Racing Form columnist and pedigree expert, Lauren Stich, seems to think so.

“He’s by Smart Strike, so he should definitely like grass,” Stich wrote me.

And Curlin’s chances in the Arc?

“ … Even if he does well in the Man o' War, I see big troubles for him in the Arc,” Stich warned. “He would be going up against Euros who are experienced on the surface and are familiar with Longchamp’s uphill grass course. And the style of running is a huge point of debate. In this country, horses are trained to be fast early and slow up at the end of their races. Totally opposite in Europe, where high acceleration and a late turn of foot is premium in a race like the 1 1/2-mile Arc.”

While I agree that Curlin would undoubtedly face the toughest challenge of his young life in the Arc, I think he may be up to the task. Remember that Secretariat — yes, I believe Curlin is in that class — made his turf debut in the Man o’ War as well, using it as a springboard to win his final start, the Canadian International at Woodbine on Aug. 28, 1973.

And, the fact is, in the twilight of his career, Curlin has been producing better main track pace figures than “Big Red” did toward the end of his racing days (of course, Secretariat retired at the age of three; Curlin is four).

How does one argue with the 110 Beyer and +2 late speed ration (LSR) that Curlin earned in the Stephen Foster, where he carried 128 pounds and passed Barcola like that one was standing still? While Beyer figures were not available at the time, it’s worth noting that Secretariat carried 119 pounds earned a -3 LSR in his last start before the Man o’ War.

This week’s free plays

All selections (unless otherwise noted) are made in light of the conditions existing at the time of entry. Races taken off the turf, or modified in any way, should be passed.

DELAWARE PARK * RACE 6 (100%) * $300,000 Purse * 11.0 Furlongs * Turf

1-Rosinka (Ire) (2/1)
Fair Odds: 6-5
3-Herboriste (3/1)
Fair Odds: 7-2
8-Royalties (8/1)
Fair Odds: 8-1

COMMENTS: Defending Robert G. Dick Memorial champ ROSINKA has good early speed and is two-for-two at today’s marathon distance. In her 2008 debut on June 7, the daughter of Soviet Star set a dawdling pace and posted a 95 Beyer and +1 late speed ration (LSR). However, that LSR is actually lower than those she earned in her previous two starts — both against graded company and both featuring faster opening half-miles; clearly the one to beat. HERBORISTE has had the misfortune of running into Mauralakana in her last three starts but she always seems to give a good account of herself. In her latest start at Belmont Park she earned a 97 Beyer and +1 LSR. ROYALTIES was gaining on the top choice in her most recent start and may still have room for improvement — especially dangerous if the top two choices hook up early.

BET(S): WIN on 1 (at odds of 6-5 or greater)