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Ark. Derby winner to try France Thursday, Jun 26, 2008 By Harry King LITTLE ROCK - Along comes thoroughbred trainer Steve Asmussen with an idea so fresh that it begs to be wrapped in that cliche about creative thinking. What he has in mind for 2007 Arkansas Derby winner Curlin is a tad more unconventional than choosing a taco over a burger for lunch. Asmussen is planning to send Curlin to France to compete in Europe's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, on Oct. 5. The plan is ambitious. A dirt-only, left-turning thoroughbred, Curlin will be asked to run on a grass course that turns right and includes up-and-down a gentle hill prior to the finishing straight. The race, with the best from England, Ireland and other countries, is the most important turf race in the world and it's been almost 20 years since an American-based horse gave it a go. The Kentucky Derby has the most notoriety of any race in the U.S., but it is for 3-year-olds only and occurs early in the year before some thoroughbreds have matured. This year, for instance, Big Brown beat a mediocre group in Louisville. The Arc is for 3-year-olds and up and occurs after the cream has risen to the top. Asmussen could have played it safe and kept Curlin in the United States for a likely repeat victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic in California and another award as Horse of the Year. Already a winner in Dubai this year, Curlin will be Horse of the World if he wins in Paris. The 42-year-old Asmussen and Jess Jackson, whose Stonestreet Stables owns a majority interest in Curlin, have been talking about the Arc since Curlin returned to training late last year. A record-setting trainer with horses spread across North America, Asmussen has a multi-step plan with a safety net. Soon, Curlin will have a dry run on the grass, probably at Churchill Downs. Although he has never raced on the weeds, he is the son of Smart Strike, sire of 2007 Eclipse turf champion English Channel. After the workout, Asmussen will target a turf race in mid-July, probably in New York, Chicago or Toronto where the courses are wider and longer, more like those in Europe. From there, it will be on to France for a prep race. Asmussen developed the plan in consultation with his brother, Cash, a former French riding champion who won the Arc in 1991 and the French Derby four times. If Curlin falters at any point, Asmussen will regroup and pursue the Breeders' Cup Classic. Hopefully, all will go well. Barely $600,000 shy of Cigar's earnings record of $9,999,815, Curlin is brilliant and a victory in Paris would put him on the short list of all-time best. The last American-based horse to race in the Arc was El Senor, who was ninth in 1991. Before that, Tom Rolfe ended his 3-year-old year with a sixth-place finish in 1965 and Carry Back, champion 3-year-old colt of 1961, was 10th in 1962. Racing is different in France and pageantry is a priority. For the Arc, the crowd will be 60,000 or so, similar to the turnout in Hot Springs on Arkansas Derby day. It will be a mixture of French and British - the pride in country is sort of like Arkansas vs. Texas - and sometimes the very proper British are the crazies. When the race is over, the winning owner and jockey are paraded in front of the grandstand in a four-horse carriage, normally to a standing ovation. Celebrated as the leading jockey in Hot Springs in 1996 and 1997, Curlin's regular rider, Robby Albarado, could be the Toast of Paris. ------- Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com. |
