Curlin Will Break Cigar's Record?

Cigar's record of $9,999,815 is on the verge of being broken by Curlin, who would surpass the $10 million mark in earnings with a victory in Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. While a win would enable Curlin, currently at $9,796,800, to become the all-time money-earner as far as horses based in North America are concerned, the Japanese-based T.M. Opera O is Thoroughbred horse racing's all-time money leader with $16,200,337.

Curlin vs. Cigar Match-up
Curlin                          Cigar
3-25-04     Birth               4-18-90
Kentucky    Born                Maryland
10-2-2      Overall             19-4-5
2:00        Fastest*            1:59 2/5
119         Beyer               121
6           Gr. 1 Wins          11
5           Streak              16
1           Horse of the Year   2
$9,796,800  Earnings            $9,999,815
*At 1 1/4 Miles

The economics of racing is one reason why Curlin is in position in just his 15th lifetime start to surpass Cigar, who raced 33 times, winning 19, including 10 Grade 1's. When Cigar won the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996 the purse was $4 million, of which $2.4 million went to Cigar. When Curlin won it last March, the purse was $6 million, of which Curlin earned $3.6 million. When Cigar won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic, the pot was $3 million, of which he earned $1.56 million. Last year, it was $5 million, of which Curlin earned $2.7 million.