Bodog Beat » Curlin

Curtain Call for Curlin at Churchill Downs

Jake Gosselin — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:08:01 +0000

This weekend marks both an end and a beginning for North America's highest earning horse, as he is set to take his curtain call this Saturday. Curlin, the reigning horse of the year, will make his final parade performance before a most appreciate crowd at Churchill Downs before he is scheduled to stand at stud next year at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky.

Curlin will be walked onto the main track at Churchill Down's between the fifth and sixth races at about 1:35 p.m. Eastern. A brief tribute in the winner's circle will follow. The event also marks the close of Churchill Down's 26-day fall racing schedule.

Curlin's career earnings topped $10.5 million for owner Jesse Jackson.

"The Jacksons are due great credit for allowing our sport to enjoy this great champion as a four-year-old," said Will Farish of Lane's End. "Many would have retired him after winning the Breeders' Cup Classic and Horse of the Year honors as a three-year-old. Curlin's performance on the track, his pedigree, and his conformation make him the most exciting sire prospect to retire in many years. We are honored to have him join his champion sire Smart Strike at Lane's End."

For a look back at one of Curlin's latest victories, check out this video of the 2008 Dubai World Cup.

Get all your online horse racing odds at the Bodog Sportsbook.

Assmunssen Says Curlin Out of Clark Handicap

Elizabeth Fairview — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:59:36 +0000

After Curlin's majority owner, Jess Jackson announced the Horse of the Year would be retiring after this year, trainer Steve Assmussen has ruled out the possibility of Curlin running in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on November 28.

“It’s not happening,” Asmussen said. “With the pot dropping (from $500,000 to $400,000) and the weather being bad, it’s not going to happen. The track was closed today too, so it’s just not working out.”

Curlin is North America's highest-earning racehorse with 11 wins under his belt and over $10 million in earnings. Get all your online horse odds in the Bodog Racebook today.

Curlin Worth $20 Million

Elizabeth Fairview — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:25:58 +0000

Initially purchased for just $57K, Curlin is now worth a ton of cash – $20 million to be exact. A Throughbred appraiser recently set Curlin's worth at $20 million and also recommended that Curlin should be consolidated under primary owner Jess Jackson – who owns 80 %.

Jackson is currently in the process of trying to buy out the remaining 20% of Curlin, but his minority owners, William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., who sold the 80% interest of the horse in 2007, are arguing that Curlin is worth more than that. To date, Curlin has earned a cool $10,501,800.

Judge Roger Crittenden could decide whether or not the sale goes through at a hearing on Dec. 1. Get all your online horse betting action in the Bodog Racebook now.

Jess Jackson Looking to Gain Full Control of Curlin

Elizabeth Fairview — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:15:26 +0000

Jess Jackson is looking to gain full control of the reigning Horse of the Year, Curlin, and is currently in private negotiations to buy out the remaining 20% minority interest in the horse. Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables currently controls the majority 80% interest. The asking price is not yet known, as the offer was included in sealed documents which were filed November 10. A hearing on the private-sale motion is scheduled to be heard Nov. 17.

Curlin was originally purchased for $57K by Cunningham and Gallion, who are battling criminal charges in the suit involving the diet drug fen-phen. They sold an 80% interest of Curlin in 2007. Curlin is the top earner in race winnings – with more than $10,501,800 under his belt.

Get all your online horse betting action in the Bodog Racebook now.

2008 Breeders' Cup Review

Patricia Woo — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:08:42 +0000

The two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships kicked off on Friday, Oct. 24 with Ventura prevailing over favorite Indian Blessing in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Maram and Stardom Bound won their respective Juvenile divisions, and Forever Together rallied late to win the Filly & Mare Turf. Superstar Zenyatta powered to a thrilling 1 ½-length victory in the Ladies’ Classic.

On Saturday, Oct 25, Marathon favorite Sixties Icon finished fifth, ceding the win to Muhannak. Longshot Desert Code prevailed in the Turf Sprint, and Albertus Maximus weaved his way through traffic to capture the Dirt Mile. Favorite Goldikova ran away with the Mile and juveniles Midshipman and Donativum were much the best in their respective divisions. Midnight Lute defended his Sprint title, and Conduit surprised favorite Soldier of Fortune in the stretch run to win the Turf. And in the Breeders’ Cup feature race, Raven’s Pass pulled off an upset win over Curlin in the Classic.

Head over to the Bodog Racebook for all your online horse betting needs.

Raven's Pass Wins Breeders' Cup Classic

Austin Kent — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:59:36 +0000

After weeks of anticipation, the Breeders' Cup Classic has finally come and gone, and a shocking victor has emerged on top of the field.

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic winner is Raven's Pass.

With a winning time of 1:59.27, Raven's Pass managed to top overwhelming favorite, Curlin, in the midst of a record-setting year.

Atop Raven's Pass was jockey Frankie Dettori while trainer John Gosden looked on.

Placing on the afternoon was Henrythenavigator while Tiago rounded out the top three.

Despite making a serious push for the lead towards the end of the race, Curlin was unable to pull through with the win.

Jockey Robbie Albarado and trainer Steve Asmussen combined to provide Curlin all that he needed while starting in the No. 9 post against a competitive field, but were unable to come out on top on the synthetic surface.

The 1 1/4 mile race took place on a Grade I surface at Santa Anita.

Breeders' Cup Payouts to follow.

Breeders' Cup Today on ABC and ESPN – Bet Now!

Austin Kent — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:53:31 +0000

With just hours before Saturday's Breeders' Cup races are set to take place, fans await the busy schedule and the Breeders' Cup Classic that headlines the agenda.

Joining the legendary Curlin in the 6:45 p.m. (EST) Classic are contenders Casino Drive, Raven's Pass and Go Between among many others. Be sure to watch the $5,000,000 event live on ESPN.

With an outstanding track record in his first 15 races, the question for Curlin remains how he will fare on a synthetic surface. Whereas Curlin has dominated the opposition on dirt, this afternoon will mark a challenge, as its also the first time since Dubai that Curlin started the race in as far as the ninth post.

Have a feeling this afternoon will see a repeat of last year's champion? Bet on Curlin.

Kicking the day off on Saturday however is the Breeders' Cup Marathon, scheduled for 1:10 p.m. (EST) on ABC, a race in which Sixties Icon is heavily favored.

The day's action can be found on ABC from the start of the Marathon race up until the conclusion of the Breeders Cup Mile (set to begin at 3:15 p.m.), and on ESPN from 3:55 p.m. until the end of the Classic.

With hours to kill and hunches to fill, bet on the Breeders' Cup.

2008 Breeders' Cup Betting Odds

Elizabeth Fairview — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:45:41 +0000

The 2008 Breeders' Cup will see 14 races over two days where the top horses from around the globe will compete on grass and dirt and in sprints and mile-and-a-half marathons. The grand finale, so to speak, is the $5 million Classic, in which Horse of the Year and odds-on favorite Curlin will compete against a field which includes intimidating European superstars such as Raven's Pass, Duke of Marmalade and Henrythenavigator.

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic saw the retirement of Big Brown due to a hoof injury and the announcement that Commentator will not race for the remainder of the season but will rest instead for a return next year. Another surprise is that Japanese superstar Casino Drive will race in the Classic after an allowance win on Sunday while preparing at Santa Anita. Basically, Curlin has his work cut out for him.

Still, with all the heavy competition, Bodog's oddsmakers have made Curlin, who will start from the No. 9 post position, is the overwhelming 13/8 favorite to win the $5,000,000 purse, putting Smooth Air as the longshot at 50/1 odds.

Watch Curlin battle it out for the Horse of the World title at Santa Anita Park tomorrow. Get all your Breeders' Cup betting in the Bodog Racebook today. The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic goes down today!

Could Curlin Be Ripe for a Breeders' Cup Upset?

Elizabeth Fairview — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:36:49 +0000

If we've learned anything from Big Brown – it's that nothing is ever a done deal. Going into this year's 2008 Breeders' Cup, Curlin is the overwhelming favorite to win the Classic. If he successfully defends his 2007 victory, Curlin will be named "Horse of the World."

However, this won't be without some serious competition. On Saturday, Curlin will face two of Europe's best turf runners, Henrythenavigator and Raven's Pass. These contenders will also be joined by Japan's Casino Drive as well as California-based winners.

In a race slated to run at a slow pace, jockey Robby Albarado may have to put Curlin on the lead to fight off other contenders – a setup which looks ripe for an upset.

Henrythenavigator prevailed over Raven's Pass over the summer until Raven's Pass finally rallied. Raven's Pass could still be improving while Henry has had a long season. Curlin better watch out for a Raven's Pass rally. The Bodog Racebook has all your Breeders' Cup odds. Get your picks today.