Curlin looks for second serve on grass
July 13th 2008 01:26
At his first test on turf in the Group One Man O’War Stakes at Belmont Park today, Curlin finished second to Red Rocks after giving him a start and being unable to reel him in on the unfamiliar surface.
(photo: Adam Coglianese NYRA)
Let’s hope there are no hasty conclusions made from the defeat and an Arc campaign too quickly rejected. Good horses will learn from mistakes and adapt to circumstances. One more attempt on grass should tell the story of whether Curlin can be as effective on turf as he is on dirt.
The winner Red Rocks is a competitive horse in Group One level in Europe, and in addition has previously won the US Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2006. Behind Curlin in third place was another Breeders’ Cup Turf (2004) winner in Better Talk Now. So if any other horse than Curlin - with any other target than the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe - then it would be regarded as a very good debut on turf.
Red Rocks entered this race on the back of a 6th in the Coronation Cup at Epsom behind Arc contenders Soldier Of Fortune (1st), Youmzain (2nd) and Getaway (5th). The addition of blinkers to Red Rocks' gear for this race was credited in allowing him to make improvement from his recent English campaign.
In 2006 Red Rocks defeated in the Breeders' Cup Turf, Better Talk Now (as again today); with the current American Champion Turf Horse, English Channel third. And on that occasion the hectic speed also favoured Red Rocks.
The race was run at a ridiculously quick tempo with Curlin slow into stride from his wide gate. Down the backstretch Curlin had improved to 4th (racing wide) and was still some six lengths behind Red Rocks who was at this stage stalking the (inevitably) tiring leaders. Even with 3 furlongs to travel Curlin was still 10 lengths behind the leaders. Perhaps it could be expected that Curlin would race past Red Rocks in the straight - but that would be to not give full credit to the proven ability or Red Rocks on turf. With the circumstances and situation of this race, the best horse on the day did win. But you would think that Curlin could only improve considerably with the experience.
Owner, Trainer and jockey alike are disappointed to not see the brilliant finishing burst that Curlin can normally produce. But he was chasing a seasoned campaigner on turf who adapted to the pace and tactics perfectly.
Curlin raced like a ‘dirt track’ horse skirting deep and racing wide. If he is to come to terms with grass he will need to become more adept at racing tighter in a field - that a task for horse and rider. European staying races are seldom run with the reverse-splits evident on dirt this time, so Curlin may find more comfort with a different tempo. It has been Red Rocks who has been disadvantaged by moderate tempos most recently in England.
It took Rafael Nadal quite some time to modify and adapt his clay court game to grass courts. It is much about traction and positioning (lack of slide into the ball) and confidence. Of course having the most improved backhand in the game of tennis goes some way to easing the transition between surfaces, but the trials facing Curlin are less problematic and relate to confidence, balance and adaptability in the field. A champion Spanish clay court specialist can defeat one of the greatest player of all time on his preferred surface and win Wimbledon - a champion dirt track American horse could win the most prestigious turf race in Europe. It took Nadal several years to adapt. Curlin will have just one more chance.
Replay of the 2008 Man O’War Stakes:
Red Rocks defeats Curlin in Man O'War Stakes
(photo: Adam Coglianese NYRA)
Let’s hope there are no hasty conclusions made from the defeat and an Arc campaign too quickly rejected. Good horses will learn from mistakes and adapt to circumstances. One more attempt on grass should tell the story of whether Curlin can be as effective on turf as he is on dirt.
The winner Red Rocks is a competitive horse in Group One level in Europe, and in addition has previously won the US Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2006. Behind Curlin in third place was another Breeders’ Cup Turf (2004) winner in Better Talk Now. So if any other horse than Curlin - with any other target than the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe - then it would be regarded as a very good debut on turf.
Red Rocks entered this race on the back of a 6th in the Coronation Cup at Epsom behind Arc contenders Soldier Of Fortune (1st), Youmzain (2nd) and Getaway (5th). The addition of blinkers to Red Rocks' gear for this race was credited in allowing him to make improvement from his recent English campaign.
In 2006 Red Rocks defeated in the Breeders' Cup Turf, Better Talk Now (as again today); with the current American Champion Turf Horse, English Channel third. And on that occasion the hectic speed also favoured Red Rocks.
The race was run at a ridiculously quick tempo with Curlin slow into stride from his wide gate. Down the backstretch Curlin had improved to 4th (racing wide) and was still some six lengths behind Red Rocks who was at this stage stalking the (inevitably) tiring leaders. Even with 3 furlongs to travel Curlin was still 10 lengths behind the leaders. Perhaps it could be expected that Curlin would race past Red Rocks in the straight - but that would be to not give full credit to the proven ability or Red Rocks on turf. With the circumstances and situation of this race, the best horse on the day did win. But you would think that Curlin could only improve considerably with the experience.
Owner, Trainer and jockey alike are disappointed to not see the brilliant finishing burst that Curlin can normally produce. But he was chasing a seasoned campaigner on turf who adapted to the pace and tactics perfectly.
Curlin raced like a ‘dirt track’ horse skirting deep and racing wide. If he is to come to terms with grass he will need to become more adept at racing tighter in a field - that a task for horse and rider. European staying races are seldom run with the reverse-splits evident on dirt this time, so Curlin may find more comfort with a different tempo. It has been Red Rocks who has been disadvantaged by moderate tempos most recently in England.
It took Rafael Nadal quite some time to modify and adapt his clay court game to grass courts. It is much about traction and positioning (lack of slide into the ball) and confidence. Of course having the most improved backhand in the game of tennis goes some way to easing the transition between surfaces, but the trials facing Curlin are less problematic and relate to confidence, balance and adaptability in the field. A champion Spanish clay court specialist can defeat one of the greatest player of all time on his preferred surface and win Wimbledon - a champion dirt track American horse could win the most prestigious turf race in Europe. It took Nadal several years to adapt. Curlin will have just one more chance.
Replay of the 2008 Man O’War Stakes:
| 29 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
