Bodog Beat

Leading up to the Dubai World Cup Curlin has never looked stronger. (AP Images)

Prepping for the March 29 Dubai World Cup, Horse of the Year Curlin had a workout time of 1:13:54 yesterday morning at Nad Al Sheba racecourse.

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi said that Curlin “is just in a really good rhythm right now.”

The 4-year-old old horse is trained by Steve Asmussen.

“It was exactly what we had in mind, and he galloped out strong,” Blasi said. “That was his major move for the Dubai World Cup, and I couldn’t be happier with how he went and the rhythm he is in.”

Asmussen is basically using the same methods of training Curlin for the $6 million Dubai World Cup as he did to prepare Curlin for the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year at Monmouth Park, which he won.

Blasi said, “Asmussen’s primary goal with the March 17 workout was that Curlin get the first furlong in :13 and change, and the last in :12 and change.” Blasi said Rosas “is a man of few words,” but he is “very excited about how strong (Curlin) is; he says he feels as strong as he ever has.”

Blasi said that Curlin has developed very nicely from a 3-year-old to a 4-year-old. “He’s just a stronger, more mature horse,” said Blasi, who has worked with Curlin since he arrived in Asmussen’s barn the winter of 2007 and who is overseeing his training in Dubai for primary owner Jess Jackson and his Stonestreet Stable and minority partner, the Midnight Cry Stable.

“He’s thicker – and he has put on weight in all the right places,” Blasi said. “He was a big horse as a 3-year-old, but he’s a lot bigger now.”

Even though there still is another workout scheduled before March 29's Dubai World’s Cup it won’t be as demanding as the impressive one on March 17.

If you're looking to bet on the Dubai World Cup check out Bodog's online horse betting. They also have futures already up for the Kentucky Derby.