All’s Well with Curlin, Pyro and Asmussen
Posted on 6/16/2008 6:54:13 PM
By Pete Mitchell
In the aftermath of Big Brown’s Belmont Stakes meltdown, it’s nice to see an abundance of good news emanating from the barn of trainer Steve Asmussen. 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin is well on his way to capturing a second Horse of the Year title, and Blue Grass Stakes/Kentucky Derby flop Pyro rebounded nicely to capture the Grade 3 Northern Dancer Stakes. In doing so, he thrust himself back into the conversation as a force in the 3-year-old division.
It’s nice to see a champion 3-year-old stick around. So many are sent off to the breeding shed and we never have the pleasure of watching them realize their full potential. The connections of Curlin were sporting enough to send him back into the fray as a 4-year-old, and he’s come back better than ever, capturing the $6M Dubai World Cup in March and the $1M Steven Foster Handicap last Saturday. On the horizon is a potential matchup with Big Brown in the Massachusetts Handicap on September 20th, or perhaps a trip to Paris for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe on October 5th. Either engagement would be great for the sport of horse racing. The bet here is that Asmussen & Company will opt for the “Arc”, to establish Curlin’s credentials on grass against the world’s best. He may become the sport’s all-time leading earner in the process.
Pyro seemed not to like Keeneland’s polytrack surface in the Blue Grass Stakes, so it’s doubtful he’ll make an appearance on Santa Anita’s artificial surface in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s got a decent grass pedigree, however, so perhaps he’ll be given a shot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Until then, we may see him in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, or the Traverse Stakes at Saratoga. In either case, he could very well bump into Big Brown, with an opportunity to avenge his defeat in the Kentucky Derby.
Wherever these Asmussen charges show up, make sure you log on to BetOnline.com, and get in on the action! Not only will you receive full track odds, but we’ll be offering individual horse matchups on the sport’s major events.
Pete Mitchell has been handicapping
horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for
many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals
from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for
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