SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -Curlin, the champion 3-year-old of 2007 and Horse of the Year, drew the No. 5 post in a field of eight Thursday, and was made the 3-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
The 4-year-old regarded as the world's best horse on dirt goes for his sixth straight win on that surface in the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, a winning streak interrupted last month when he was asked to race on grass for the first time and finished second in the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park.
``It's no walkover,'' said Scott Blasi, assistant to Curlin's trainer, Steve Asmussen. ``Divine Park has won three in a row and Wanderin Boy has speed on the outside and if he gets loose, anything can happen. We've just got to take care of our own business. If (Curlin) gets position going to the first turn, the rest will take care of itself.''
Of the seven challengers to Curlin in the Woodward, Divine Park is the most accomplished, with a victory in the prestigious Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont. Divine Park drew the No. 4 post and will be ridden by Alan Garcia.
``Curlin is the best horse in the world on this surface and at this distance,'' Divine Park trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, said. ``But (since February) Divine Park is undefeated and I don't think the distance will be a problem.''
Robby Albarado, who has ridden Curlin throughout his career, has the mount and a victory will put the colt, whose earnings stand just short of $9.5 million, at the threshold of $10 million and in position to surpass Cigar by season's end as the all-time leading money winning thoroughbred.
The other Woodward starters are A.P. Arrow (Cornelio Velasquez), Loose Leaf (Eibar Coa), Past the Point (Edgar Prado), Dr. D.F.C. (Aldo Arboleda), Out of Control (John Velazquez) and Wanderin Boy (Julien Leparoux). All carry 126 pounds.
