By ED FOUNTAINE
Posted: 3:12 am
July 3, 2008
Curlin, 2007 Horse of the Year and the leading candidate for top honors again this season, will make his turf debut July 12. It will be either in the Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park or the Man o'War at Belmont, with an eye toward racing in France's Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 5. Whether Curlin - whose five-race win streak includes the Breeders' Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup - runs here or in Chicago could depend on licensing issues arising from the current trial for fraud in Kentucky involving two of his minority owners.
NYRA officials said yesterday there is nothing they or the State Racing and Wagering Board can do about the licensing, nor have they talked to Curlin's trainer, Steve Asmussen.
Kevin Greeley, racing secretary at Arlington, has spoken to Asmussen, who, Greeley said, is waiting for the weights to come out next week before deciding where to run. Greeley added that Arlington is working with the Illinois Racing Board to resolve the licensing problem. "We'd love to have Curlin race here," he said.
FIRST RACE: The Iron Chef wins again. Sophie's Salad, owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, went to the front early in grass turf, then was taken back by John Velazquez to press pace when Choosing, Irish sprinter in U.S. debut making first start since September, came through inside under Kent Desormeaux to take the lead down the backside. Sophie's Salad made her bid turning for home, took command mid-stretch, with Michele the Great coming on late for second in improved effort.
EIGHTH RACE: The $75,000 Proud Delta overnight stakes set up perfectly for 5-2 Runway Rosie, making first start since May 17 for Gary Contessa. Runway Rosie, Rajiv Maragh up, tucked in to stalk pace duel between longshots Street Bird and All Night Labor, sat chilly around turn, swung out top of stretch to bid for lead, cruised to the front without taking a deep breath, and by the time the rest of the horses in the field decided to join the fray, Runway Rosie was long gone.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 2-4-6-5-4-3
No winners
28 consolation (5 of 6) winners
Each paid $591
Carryover: $49,719
