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Curlin Wins Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs
Stonestreet Stables LLC and Midnight Cry Stables’ Curlin, ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, drew away to a 4 1/4 length victory in the $1-million Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) on Saturday, June 14, at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.
Covering the Stephen Foster Handicap distance of 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.68, Curlin paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Einstein, a 3-time Grade 1 stakes winner on turf who was making a rare start on dirt, rallied under jockey Julien Leparoux to nip Barcola by a nose for second and paid $3.80 and $3.20. Barcola, under jockey Jesus Castanon, finished third and paid $6.
Horses that also raced in Churchill Downs’ Stephen Foster Handicap: Grasshopper, Brass Hat, Jonesboro, Delightful Kiss, Sam P., High Blues and Red Rock Creek.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Curlin has now won five consecutive races - a string that includes four Grade I events - and is unbeaten in three starts in 2008. The winner of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) last fall at Monmouth Park opened the year in Dubai with a pair of victories that included the $6 million Dubai World Cup and the Jaguar Trophy at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.
Curlin became the 2nd winner of the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup, to return to the U.S. to win the Stephen Foster Handicap. Street Cry won both races in 2002, while Dubai World Cup winners Silver Charm (1998) and Captain Steve (2001) each finished second in the Stephen Foster Handicap.
“It’s such an honor to be involved with this horse - he is such a beautiful animal,” said horse trainer Steve Asmussen. “I’m so thankful to Mr. Jackson and the whole Stonestreet group and Midnight Cry to bring him back as a 4 year-old and just letting us enjoy him.”
The 4-year-old son of Smart Strike improved his career record to 9-1-2 in 12 races and the winner’s share of $589,000 from the Stephen Foster Handicap’s record $1 million purse improved his career earnings to $9,396,800. The victory moved the Kentucky-bred Curlin closer to second-place Skip Away on American racing’s all-time earnings list. Skip Away earned $9,616,360 in his racing days, while Cigar remains the career leader with earnings of $9,999,815.
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