Breeders' Cup Qualifiers

Hard Spun won a rematch of the one-two finishers from the Kentucky Derby when he edged Street Sense in the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park. But Street Sense, the Derby winner, ran well in defeat. Then there is Tiago, who jumped into the Classic picture Saturday when defeating older horses in the Goodwood at Santa Anita. It may turn out that Any Given Saturday is the best of the bunch. He has won three in a row, including the Brooklyn on Sept. 22. Lawyer Ron is his stablemate, and still another Classic contender.

Preakness winner Curlin stated his case yesterday, beating Lawyer Ron by a neck after a riveting stretch duel in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

Curlin not only re-established his credentials as a leading 3-year-old, but could wind up as the favorite for the Classic based on his win against racing's top older horse, Lawyer Ron. In addition, Curlin won over the Classic distance of 1¼ miles, and has a race over the Monmouth Park track, site of the $23 million, 11-race, two-day Breeders' Cup on Oct. 26-27.

In three earlier “Win and You're In” Breeders' Cup qualifying races at Belmont, Fabulous Strike won the Vosburgh Stakes to qualify for the Breeders' Cup Sprint; English Channel won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic to grab a spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf; and Unbridled Belle won the Beldame to earn a place in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Curlin ($6.20) easily covered the 1¼ miles in 2:01.20. The victory was worth $450,000 and boosted the colt's earnings to $2.4 million.

Technorati tag(s): Street Sense,Hard Spun, Curlin