Curlin Named Horse of the Year Again

Although it hasn't been made official yet, Curlin winning the Horse of the Year award is as close to a 'sure thing' as you're going to see. If Curlin is named Horse of the Year for the second year in a row, he will become the first since Affirmed in 1978 and 1979 to win the award in consecutive years.

Some may argue that Curlin's wins on the year have not been by huge margins and therefore he may not be the definitive choice for Horse of the Year, but 7 out of his 11 wins have been Grade 1 stakes and he's made quite a name for himself. And let's not forget about the weekend's big race: the Breeders' Cup Classic. Curlin is in it to defend his title -- and to win.

"Racing is blessed to have such a magnificent athlete among us," owner Jesse Jackson said. "He's brilliant, durable and always shows up, always gives his best, loves to run, rarely disappoints. The only time he's been beaten really is when race tactics or his own physical condition prevented him from winning."

The 2008 Breeders' Cup is being held at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 24th and 25th. Curlin is currently the favorite to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, which goes at 6:45 PM on Oct. 25th and is televised on ESPN.

2008 Breeders' Cup betting doesn't get any better than this!

Curlin Testing out Santa Anita Pro-ride Track

Curlin won the 2008 Jockey Club Gold Cup Saturday at Belmont Park and became the first horse in North America to top $10 million in career earnings. Curlin headed to California Sunday to test out Santa Anita synthetic racetrack for a possible start in the Breeders' Cup.

Curlin had his first training after the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Wednesday. It was a typical first day back at the track following a race for Curlin. On a warm morning when it was 75 degrees at sunrise, Curlin walked or jogged the wrong way along the outside rail after stepping onto the track at 6:35 a.m., then turned around for a gallop. Fairly routine stuff. But every step he takes, every move he makes, will be watched closely over the next few weeks, because how Curlin adapts to Santa Anita's synthetic Pro-Ride surface will be the determining factor as to whether majority owner Jess Jackson gives the green light for Curlin to defend his title in the Classic, which he won last year at Monmouth Park.