Mon Mar 17 12:53:33 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Curlin likely to face 12 in Dubai World Cup

---

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Sports Network) - Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year, is expected to take on a dozen contenders in this year's $6 million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. The 13 starters would equal the record established in 2000.

The winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Classic picked up a victory in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy here in preparation for the Saturday, March 29 race. Curlin has earned $5.2 million in a little more than a year with seven wins in 10 career starts.

"He's just a stronger, more mature horse," said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "He's thicker, and he's put on weight in all the right places. He was a big horse as a three-year-old, but he's a lot bigger now."

Regular jockey Robby Albarado will fly in to ride for owners Stonestreet and Midnight Cry Stables.

Returning for another shot at the 1 1/4 mile World Cup is last year's runner- up Premium Tap. Premium Tap is owned by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, where the horse has remained since losing to Invasor in the 2007 renewal.

The final field for the Dubai World Cup will be declared on Monday, March 24 with the post position draw taking place two days later.