Bodog Beat

In an effort to lure Curlin to Chicago for his next start, Arlington Park would consider raising the purse for the July 12 Arlington Handicap. (AP Image)

After his victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen has listed two potential starts for his next race. It is down to the Man o’ War at Belmont Park and the Arlington Handicap; both races are on July 12.

Asmussen said that the decision lies in the future, as Curlin will first work on dirt on Monday. If that workout goes well he will have a second workout on grass at Churchhill on July 1. If Curlin breezes well on grass, there is a possibility of a turf campaign for the remainder of the racing season.

Curlin is approximately $600,000 behind the all-time earnings winner Cigar. The Arlington Handicap purse is $200,000 while Man o’ War offers $500,000. Roy Arnold Arlington’s President said he believes that Churchill Downs Inc. which is Arlington’s parent company would agree to raise the purse increase to get Curlin race there, Since Churchill Downs raised the purse for the Stephan Forster by $250,000 to lure Curlin to run in that race.

"I have no reason to believe that Churchill wouldn't be 100 percent supportive of the opportunity to have the superstar of our sport race at Arlington," Arnold said.

"If Steve gets to the point where he's ready to ship Curlin in here," Arnold continued, "we will look at all our options for the racing program. We would look at the purse level, but we've made no determination yet on whether to make a purse adjustment. Hopefully we can convince him to come."

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