Dubai World Cup Victory for Curlin
While the ladies who attended the Dubai World Cup at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse were showing off their fashionable designs, in hopes of winning first place, the tension and anticipation for the main event was increasing. Thousands of spectators swamped the racetrack to be witness to one of the biggest social events and richest racing events of the horse racing calendar. Most of the people in attendance, and those who were watching from the comfort of their own homes, were waiting to see how the US Horse of the Year, Curlin, would perform.
Thirteen horses were entered into the Dubai World Cup, but is was to be Curlin, who bolted from the number twelve starting gate, that would stake his claim at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. The magnificent four year old horse, ridden by Robby Albarado and trained by Steve Asmussen, remained behind Well Armed and Asiatic Boy for the first one and a quarter mile, before his jockey found a gap and gave him the encouragement to take it. And from this crucial moment, there was absolutely no stopping him.
Although both Asiatic Boy and Well Armed fought valiantly to retain their respective positions of second and third, they were unable to catch Curlin once he had opened up his power to win by seven and three quarter lengths. By winning the Dubai World Cup, Curlin has put four consecutive wins behind his name, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Jaguar Trophy Handicap and the Jockey Club Gold. He also joins the ranks of Invasor, Cigar and Pleasantly Perfect, by winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the World Cup in the following year. The win at the Dubai World Cup has pushed Curlin’s winnings to over $8.8 million, and he once again dominated and proved his strength as a formidable competitor.
The rest of the field finished as follows: A.P. Arrow in forth position, Great Hunter was fifth, Lucky Find in sixth, Jalil in seventh, Gloria De Campeao in eighth, Premium Tamp was ninth, Sway Yed in tenth position, Kocab in eleventh and Vermilion in twelfth. Jockey, John Mutagh, who was aboard Asiatic Boy, praised his horse’s performance, and was pleased with their second place position against a prize horse like Curlin. There is no doubt that Curlin will be the horse to beat in his upcoming horse racing events, but that remains to be seen as racing is an unpredictable, exciting and challenging sport.
