Curlin off the turf

[steward]

Jess Jackson comes back to earth, sending Curlin to the Woodward. Bemoans "trash talk" and dives right in minutes later (hypocrite).

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/46465.htm

[FOS]

hi steward

Jess Jackson comes back to earth, sending Curlin to the Woodward. Bemoans "trash talk" and dives right in minutes later (hypocrite).

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/46465.htm

When Jess Jackson was quoted in the article as saying “Something that intrigues me is whether Big Brown is going to evade us or meet us”, I might describe his comment as no-nonsense reality...and a plain-and-simple measured response to what was described in the article as Dutrow Jr.'s recent derogatory remarks on Curlin.

In contrast...maybe not a whole lot different than when Sonny Hine responded to smack/trash-talking Baffert who (with his star pupil and dual classic winner Silver Charm) clearly talked the talk, but when it came to walking the walk...wanted no part of (and ducked) Skip Away.

All the credit to Baffert ...he was smart enough NOT to take on Skip Away (with Silver Charm). As for Dutrow, I don't know how smart he is...or isn't... hmmm.

Respectfully

[AscotStud]

I have too busy to post on here in recent months, but this one got me going. As much as I would have loved to see Curlin go overseas and win the Arc, I think it's pretty clear he isn't that kind of horse (world class on the turf). So why not take Big Browns head off and make him look ordinary and shut up the non stop hype parade that has follwed him. Then go to SA and win the Classic on the Synth. A fitting end to a fantastic career if you ask me.

[FOS]

hi Ascot Stud

... As much as I would have loved to see Curlin go overseas and win the Arc, I think it's pretty clear he isn't that kind of horse (world class on the turf).

I would argue that running in the G1-Man o' War (turf) against the seasoned elite turfers that 4-yo Curlin did, and finishing 2nd to 5-yo Red Rocks (the G1-BC turf winner in 2006), and ahead of 3rd place finisher (and tenacious elder statesman) Better Talk Now (winner of the 2004 G1-BC Turf, 2nd in the G1-BC Turf in 2006, and 4 time G1 winner on the turf) confirms (at least to my way of thinking) Curlin's prowess as a world-class turf horse.

Might he have gone on to win the 2008 Arc (if properly prepared)? I'd say very possible. We'll never know though. One thing's for sure...I will be watching this year's Arc very closely...and wondering what might have been. Another thing that's for sure...Longchamps is one of the most demanding courses in ALL of the world...and the 2400 meter Arc is one heck of a test.

If you click on the following title Curlin second to Red Rocks in Man o' War the article (at espn.com) might offer some valuable insight and perspective. The article aside...I saw the race, and that was enough to convince me that Curlin is world-class on the turf...and he would arguably (if not likely) elevate himself to the most elite of the elite on the turf if that became the goal (of Team Curlin)...and Curlin was managed appropriately and afforded every opportunity to enhance his chances to be the best of the best on the turf.

So why not take Big Browns head off and make him look ordinary and shut up the non stop hype parade that has follwed him.

If Curlin runs in the BC Classic...I don't expect to see Big Brown there.

Respectfully

[steward]

hi steward

Jess Jackson comes back to earth, sending Curlin to the Woodward. Bemoans "trash talk" and dives right in minutes later (hypocrite).

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/46465.htm

When Jess Jackson was quoted in the article as saying “Something that intrigues me is whether Big Brown is going to evade us or meet us”, I might describe his comment as no-nonsense reality...

Bad spin. Jackson engaged in negativity that he promised not to do. "Evading" is something that the dotty old fool should not have said.

The Big Brown camp has options, and is in the position that Jackson was before his colt flattened in the Man o' War. There's nothing wrong in them exercising them. If JJ wants to try a lame method of shaming them into meeting Curlin, that's his right. But don't go pontificating about taking the high road, just seconds beforehand.

Curlin has had a great career. The turf experiment didn't work out (as the more astute ones on this forum predicted). JJ's aspirations weren't completely fulfilled, but he shouldn't let his mean streak sour the eventual story of his champion.

[Dave C]

I don't see anything in JJ's comments that are derisive or derogatory about BB's ability. I do wonder how BB's connections can avoid Curlin if JJ won't commit Curlin to a specific race schedule. If Curlin was committed to a particular schedule than it would be up to BB's connection to either show up or explain why they won't. Right now BB's connections have been much clearer on the schedule for BB. Calling JJ a hypocrite for his comments however, is a major stretch to reality.

[Barbaro06]

Now there is talk Big Brown is going to try the turf:

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/46480.htm

I have to laugh that the last race was "tough." Oh, he had to work at winning....

I'm sure he will win three year old honors even if he doesn't win on all types of surfaces. If he goes to the grass, I hope he gets some competition.

[pfrsue]

Big Brown won his maiden on the turf at Saratoga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw20IJnlT4c

Seemed to handle it just fine.

[HR LLC]

I read the article and it did not sound like trash talk on Jackson's part...

[zinn21]

I'm not surprised Curlin's next start takes him back to the dirt but FOS has it right. Curlin's grass effort was excellent. He was beat by a BC Turf winner and beat some very nice turf horses.

I hope he gets the opportunity to return to the turf but it looks doubtful unless he turns in a dirt clunker in his next start.

[AscotStud]

I didn't say that Curlins performance on the turf wasn't very good. But Red Rocks and Better Talk Now are by no means the highest regarded turf horses in the world, the fact he didn't handle them easily puts Curlin well behind the top in Europe IMO.

[steward]

Jackson should worry about his horse and let others deal with theirs. Others who choose a route different from his desires may not be "evading" but only doing what's best.

American racing is a mess lately because of the curveball that artificial surfaces throws into the mix. Trainers and owners have discarded the traditional schedule and are scurrying around trying to adapt. Jackson himself has done it, and shouldn't be snide about others who are facing the same quandary.

[Barbaro06]

Big Brown won his maiden on the turf at Saratoga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw20IJnlT4c

Seemed to handle it just fine.

so.

I don't like Big Brown, period, on turf, dirt, moondust.

[pfrsue]

I don't like Big Brown, period, on turf, dirt, moondust.

Oh, is that what Santa Anita put in?

[Galileo1998]

I'd actually like Curlin in the Breeders Cup Turf, but he would finish well down the field in the Arc, and I don't like to see a really good horse made to look common. Red Rocks and Better Talk now are both good turf horses in the US, but Red Rocks isn't remotely top class in Europe. The last time he was placed in a G1 race in Europe was in the St. Ledger in 2006 where he was 3rd and the highest level he has ever won at there is G3.

Santa Anita's turf course typically doesn't suit the Europeans that well, so if Curlin is ever going to have a chance to beat them at their own game while futhering his reputation I would think that would be his chance.