Sat Oct 27 19:12:42 2007

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Curlin captures Breeders' Cup Classic

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Oceanport, NJ (Sports Network) - Preakness Stakes winner Curlin took the lead at the top of the stretch on his way to winning the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park. The victory by the three-year-old puts him in position to become the 2007 Horse of the Year.

The pace in the 1 1/4 mile race was set by Hard Spun with Lawyer Ron running second and Diamond Stripes in third. Curlin, with jockey Robby Albarado, settled off the pace away from the rail.

On the turn for home Curlin began picking off horses and drew even with Hard Spun at the quarter-mile pole. Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense was in third around the final turn, but could not keep up with the front two horses.

Curlin took over the lead coming off the turn and cruised to a four length victory. Hard Spun finished second with Awesome Gem third and Street Sense fourth in the nine horse field.

George Washington, sixth last year, dislocated an ankle in the stretch and was euthanized.

The time for the Classic was 2:00 on a sloppy track.

Curlin is owned by Padua and Stonestreet Stables and trained by Steve Asmussen. The colt has won six-of-nine career starts and adds $2.7 million to his earnings. He has won $5.1 million in a career that began in February of this year.

Along with the Preakness he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup in his last start and posted a third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont Stakes.

Curlin returned $10.80, $5.20 and $4.20. Hard Spun paid $7.60 and $5.80, and Awesome Gem paid $9.40 to show.