Bodog Beat

Curlin's performance has been nothing short of impressive this year. (AP Images)

Curlin, along with his trainer Steve Asmussen and his regular rider Robby Albarado continue to lead their respective divisions on the North American racing scene through mid-May.

With the $3,600,000 Curlin banked winning the Dubai World Cup Classic in his only seasonal start to date, the reigning Horse of the Year remains comfortably atop the list of leading money winning horses. Vaulting into second place on the exclusive list is the undefeated three-year-old Big Brown by virtue of the $2,676,700 amassed in four starts including the lucrative Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Benny the Bull with $1,365,000 sits third ahead of Dubai winners Go Between and Well Armed who share fourth-place on the lucrative list with $780,000, Santa Anita Handicap hero Heatseaker is sixth, Gayego seventh and Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell has made her way into the top eight, banking $681,340 from four 2008 starts.

Asmussen continues to have a commanding lead in the trainer standings with $12,063,118 in purses from 1,059 starters. Big Brown’s conditioner Richard Dutrow has saddled only 284 horses but the high-profile conditioner sits comfortably in the second position boasting total earnings of $7,023,768. Third-place on the list is occupied by well-known trainer Todd Pletcher who continues his winning ways, tightening the girth on 404 starters who have earned $5,910,671.

Four talented riders are dominating the jockey standings with only 25 mounts separating them. At the top of the list is Albarado, whose 463 mounts have earned $7,932,216 to date. Garrett Gomez has ridden the least horses but his 438 trips to the post have resulted in earnings of $7,519.406. Not far behind with purses totaling $7,365,514 from 453 mounts is recent Hall of Fame inductee Edgar Prado. Big Brown’s regular pilot Kent Desormeaux has climbed aboard 440 starters and his Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories have helped amass a total of $6,917,518.

Triple Crown favorite Big Brown, conditioner Richard Dutrow and jockey Kent Desormeaux are heavy favorites to add substantially to their totals when they team-up in the Gr. 1 Belmont Stakes.

The Belmont Stakes is next. Get your Belmont Stakes odds at the Bodog Sportsbook.