Owner Jess Jackson has indicated that Curlin may start in either the Gr. 1 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park or the $500,000 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita; both races are scheduled for Sept. 27. But will he choose the dirt track, Curlin's favored racing surface, at Belmont Park? Or will he test Curlin on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita—which, incidentally, is the same track on which the Classic will be held on Oct. 25?

Jackson's previous experiment of racing Curlin on a non-dirt surface did not turn out as he had hoped. With the ultimate goal of racing Curlin in the world's richest turf race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France, Jackson entered Curlin in the Man o' War Stakes in July as a prep. But after Curlin finished runner-up to Red Rocks, Jackson revised his plans and pointed Curlin to the Woodward, which the 2007 Horse of the Year won by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

Now with the Woodward under Curlin's belt, Jackson has a decision to make. In early August, Jackson had all but ruled out the Breeders' Cup Classic, saying: "We’d like to go there but that’s an untested surface and I’m very uncertain about it… He’s won the Classic before. Been there, done that." But one factor in particular might be changing Jackson's mind.

In an attempt to entice owner Michael Iavarone to enter Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion Big Brown into the Woodward Stakes, Jackson offered up a $50,000 charitable donation—an offer that Iavarone declined. But Big Brown is being pointed towards the Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 25, and the possibility of a showdown might be too tempting for Jackson to resist.

Will Big Brown and Curlin race against each other in 2008?

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With jockey Robby Albarado aboard, he turned on the jets and drew even with the pacesetter Devine Park in the final stretch and finally won by 1 and 1/4 lengths.

“Curlin is meant for the big moment,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “He takes it all in stride.”

Added Albarado: “He spoils us with his brilliance.”

Curlin appeared to be tired even though this was his first start in seven weeks and needed encouragement from Albarado to run the final furlong in 14 seconds. This was his debut at Saratoga but he has been a steady presence at the park in the mornings for most of this year.

This marks 10 victories in 14 starts for Curlin and this raised his total winnings to $9,796,800 moving him to second place in all time winnings for thoroughbreds, placing him just behind Cigar.

Curlin paid $2.70, $2.40 and $2.10.

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He will face a small field that will not include Big Brown—the connections of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion declined owner Jess Jackson's offer of a $50,000 charitable donation in exchange for Big Brown's participation. Instead, the field of possible contenders includes Star Plus, a Group 1 winner based in Argentina; Divine Park, unbeaten in his last three outings; and Out of Control, runner-up in his last two graded stakes races.

If Curlin is feeling any pressure to live up to expectations, he isn't showing it. The 2007 Horse of the Year has looked every bit the champion in his workouts, turning out an effortless breeze of half a mile in 49.14 in his final prep. "He's very professional," exercise rider Carlos Rosas said afterwards. "Once you step on the track, he knows what's going on. Right now, he knows what's coming. I think he's ready. He's ready to rumble."

The Steve Asmussen-trained 4-year-old has had an amazing 2008 campaign so far. With the exception of his runner-up finish at the Man o' War Stakes, Curlin has not lost this year. Recent wins in the $1M Stephen Foster Handicap, the $6M Dubai World Cup and the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy have padded his lifetime earnings to $9,296,800. All eyes will be on Curlin to see if he can add a win in the Woodward Stakes on Aug. 30 to his already impressive resume.

How will Curlin fare in the Woodward Stakes? Get all your horse betting odds in the Bodog Racebook.

Owner Jess Jackson reported Tuesday that Curlin’s next race will be on a 1 1/8-mile dirt course in the Gr. 1 $500,000 Woodward Stakes on Aug. 30 in Saratoga for 3-year-olds and up. The $1 million Gr. 1 Pacific Classic Stakes and the $1 million Gr. 1 Arlington Million Stakes had also been under consideration. Jackson has also said that Curlin will not run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October as originally planned. He did not, however, rule out a matchup between Curlin and Big Brown, winner of Sunday’s Haskell Invitational, at the 2008 Breeders’ Cup, saying a meeting between the two was "still in the options."

Of Big Brown, Jackson said: "We don't have anything to prove, he does. We like him, he's a great horse; it would be good for racing to have them together. We're not avoiding him, we're just doing what's right for Curlin."

The 2007 Horse of the Year has been breezing well on the Oklahoma Training Track. Trainer Steve Asmussen was pleased with Curlin's latest clocking of 1 minute and 2.72 seconds over five furlongs, saying: "I thought he looked tremendous… He jogged off very comfortable. He went around as smooth as glass and galloped out real strong."

Curlin’s loss in the Man o’War has been the only blip in a stellar string of performances that include wins in the Stephen Foster Handicap (Gr. 1), a handicap race at the Dubai World Cup and the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr. 1).

How will Curlin fare on the dirt at the Woodward? Get all your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook today.

"We condsidered many options," Jackson stated, "but, this is the best place to display his talent. He is very happy [in Saratoga]."

Jackson said two other races were in the running: the $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday, August 24 at Del Mar and this week's Arlington Million on the turf.

Curlin's last race was on turf in the Man o'War at Belmont Park where he was defeated by Red Rocks.

How will Curlin fare on the dirt at the Woodward? Get all your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook today.