Bodog Beat

Does Curlin have a shot at the Breeders' Cup? (AP Images)

While Curlin continues to test out the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park, trainer Steve Asmussen continues to be noncommittal about running Curlin in the $5M Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25 in a face-off against Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown.

Curlin was shipped to Santa Anita shortly after his record-setting win in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup in late September to train on the racetrack's synthetic surface, one that he has never raced on before. While Asmussen has expressed his dislike for synthetic surfaces in the past, how Curlin takes to the track will ultimately determine whether he will be entered in the Classic. So far, he has shown no signs of difficulty.

"The most important thing is, he looks just like he has every day that we've trained him," assistant trainer Scott Blasi said after Curlin posted his first official workout on Monday, a relatively slow half-mile clocked at 52.80. Curlin will have another workout before pre-entries for the Classic are due, but Asmussen is not in a hurry to make a decision.

"It'll be interesting the next time he gets on the track," Asmussen said. "We just wanted to put [Curlin's] mind at ease and let him do all the acclimating. I don't think there was any decision to be made today. We're going to show Curlin the patience he deserves and we're going to do what we think is right."

So the question of whether Curlin will compete in the Classic won't be answered for a while yet. But one thing is for certain: All eyes will be on the defending Breeders' Cup Classic champion as he trains up to this year's meet on Oct. 25.

Who will win the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic? Bet on the Breeders' Cup at the Bodog Racebook.