2008 Man o' War Stakes

I remember vividly my wife and I watching this race on t.v. I told my wife "Curlin is not a grass horse, he won't win this race." As it turned out I was right. It takes a very special horse to run well on all surfaces. Bottom line, Curlin was a dirt horse, period. He didn't win on turf and as we found out later in the year, he didn't like synthetics either. Secretariat ran well on both grass and dirt, winning this race easily in 1973. He wasn't around for synth. but I have a hunch he'd done o.k.

I have to say Curlin looked phenominal...if he had moved just a tad earliar...AHHHH

I suppose the equivalent would be an American Grade 3 horse coming over to Europe and beating Duke of Marmalade and Youmzain on the dirt at Lingfield (somehow I can't imagine that!). Keep Curlin on the dirt and keep him in America; he's a very good horse by US standards, but he would be embarrassed and humiliated on European turf.

Red Rocks was the 2006 turf winner at the breeders cup, he is a grade 1 horse. After a couple more starts before the Arc, Curlin will be ready and win

curlin ran a good race....just not good enough and yes TXRider that race call made me want 2 blast my ear drums out

p.s. That has got to be the most got danged annoying race call I've ever heard.

Okay, Curlin didn't have that famous drive. But heck, he did what was asked and put away Sudan who is an excellent 'turf digger'. It's his (Curlin's) first try on dirt...he'll improve!

excuses, excuses, if euros get ripped for having excuses in breeders cup races, then so should americans for turf
the horse couldnt beat a rag
Red Rocks is a plain G3 horse at best
id rather Curlin prove he is a good dirt horse
then come and disgrace the arc

I also feel that this race wasn't a good indication of how Curlin could do on turf. He broke late, had a ridiciulous speed duel in front of him, was perhaps too far off the pace, and it was his first time ever on turf, and first time running that distance in over a year. I say give him one more try on turf. In addition to all that, to come in second to a breeders cup turf winner and to beat horses that have been trained most of their lives on turf is pretty impressive.