Horses Wild has the latest news in the horse racing industry from jockeys, trainers, owners and breeders. Get horse racing tips, betting picks from top horse racing handicappers, stakes race results.
Be part of the action as we cover the Triple Crown starting with the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. See the best of the best horses battle it out in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
When it comes to horse racing, Horses Wild has got you covered.
Curlin Ready For The Woodward Stakes at Saratoga August 30
In his final prep for Saturday’s 55th running of Saratoga Race Course’s $500,000 Woodward Stakes, 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year Curlin breezed a half-mile in 49.14 Monday morning under regular exercise rider Carmen Rosas.
Clockers caught the four-year-old chestnut colt in splits of 13.01 and 24.98, galloping out in 1:04. The move was the fourth fastest of 25 at the distance.
“He went really well, it was a nice, smooth half,” said assistant race horse trainer Scott Blasi. “We’re all excited about Saturday.”
Curlin, who carries the colors of Jess Jackson’s Stonerside Stable, is scheduled to have a light gallop Wednesday and be schooled in the gate on Thursday. Last Thursday, during the running of the third race, Curlin drew a sizeable crowd as he was schooled in the paddock.
“Wherever it is, when he walks in, people notice,” said Scott Blasi. “The more seasoned he becomes, the more he plays to it.”
Curlin, who has been stabled at Saratoga the past two summers, will be making his 10th Grade 1 start in the nine-furlong Woodward. After summering at Saratoga last year, he won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the fall.
“[Being at Saratoga] was a big contribution to how he performed last year going into the fall and the Breeders’ Cup,” said Blasi. “Horses just do well up here. Oklahoma is a very good surface and we’re fortunate to train over it.”
Also expected for the Woodward are Belmont Park’s Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) winner Divine Park, Grade 2 winner A.P. Arrow, and recent Saratoga winners Past the Point and Wanderin Boy. Merchant Marine, a rough-trip sixth in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) earlier this meet, is also a possibility.
Horse racing news edited from www.nyra.com.
Tip your horse racing buddies:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
10% Bonus + 3% Racebook Rebate
10% Free Cash Initial Deposit
Up to 30% Sign-up Bonus + 5% Weekly Rebate!
Get reward points for Free Bets