Bodog Beat

Will you have your money on Curlin? (AP Images)

Early in the morning on Monday October 1st, Curlin worked on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita just ten days after his win at Belmont Park in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr.I).

“We just breezed him back in a maintenance move,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “We’re going to show Curlin the patience that I think he deserves.”

With several people looking on including Oak Tree racing Association executive vice president Sherwood Chillingworth and Santa Anita president Ron Charles, saw Curlin run factions of :13 4/5, :26 4/5 and :39:4/5.

Asmussen said that he would be in contact with majority owner Jess Jackson to discuss “everything that Curlin is communicating to us.”  The reason being, that they are not in a hurry to decide on the colt running in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr.I) on October 25 at Oak Tree.

“He’s not going to be pressed for time,” Asmussen said. “We’re just going to do what we think is right for him.”

It’s no secret that Curlin prefers dirt over synthetic surfaces and Asnussen has not dismissed that notion, He also said that they could not make a decision based on one workout on the new surface at Santa Anita.

“We’re not telling Curlin that he’s going to like it,” Asmussen said with a smile. “We’re listening to him. I only care if Curlin likes it.”

Bet on Curlin in the Bodog Racebook today.