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Breeders' Stage Set For Curlin

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By BETH HARRIS

The Associated Press

Published: October 24, 2008

ARCADIA, Calif. - Curlin's looming presence in Saturday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic hardly scared away the competition.

Undefeated Casino Drive from Japan, along with European stars Duke of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator and Raven's Pass, are among the 11 rivals who will line up to try to knock off the reigning Horse of the Year.

"Someone has got to come and take him on. We can't all be wimps and hide," said John Gosden, who trains Raven's Pass, the 6-1 second choice.

Staging the Breeders' Cup on a synthetic surface for the first time at Santa Anita helped lure some horses who may not have run in the 11/4-mile Classic had it been contested on traditional dirt.

Raven's Pass is one of them. He made the first 11 starts of his career on turf in Europe, most of them in top-level mile races.

"I wouldn't be running in the Classic if it was still on the dirt," Gosden said. "The problem with the dirt is not the surface you're going on, it's the kickback. European horses have never, ever, ever suffered kickback in their face. It will put you right out of your stride."

Curlin, last year's Classic winner, is most experienced on dirt, where he's 9-for-12. He has one career start (a loss) on turf and none on synthetics. That didn't prevent him from being tabbed as the early 7-5 favorite after drawing the No. 9 post in the 12-horse field.

"It's a decent spot and gives him plenty of time to the first turn. Robby should be confident enough to get him into position early," trainer Steve Asmussen said, referring to jockey Robby Albarado.

Duke of Marmalade and Henrythenavigator are both 10-1 on the Classic's morning line. They would have been among the favorites in the Turf - which always attracts European horses - and the Mile, but trainer Aidan O'Brien targeted them for the biggest money race.

"If Duke and Henry were still standing at this stage, we were always going to let them have a shot at the Classic," he said. "Obviously, they've had both very long, busy seasons, but they seem to be fine."

Still, Curlin is regarded as the horse to beat.

"I think he's a superb horse," Gosden said. "I love the way he travels in a race. He's a very, very superior mile-and-a-quarter, old and tough horse. He sets the benchmark and he would hold his own in most generations."

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