Curlin on the red carpet
2007 Horse of the Year Curlin made a red carpet appearance after the 4th race today in the Churchill Downs paddock.
Walking through the tunnel from the track trainer Steve Asmussen watched the horse take to the red carpet on the way to the walking ring.
"I was more nervous about that than I was about the Derby," Asmussen quipped to those around him.
Owner Jess Jackson was also on hand and said that the 9 furlong Stephen Foster Handicap in June was likely the next race on the champion colt's schedule. This probably all-but assures that the Foster, which has a purse of $750,000, will have a shorter than usual field.
"I want to show him off in Kentucky, that's where he was born," Jackson said.
Jackson wouldn't say where he would take the horse next, although he hinted that a race in Europe might be in the horse's future.
"One race at a time, it's hard to predict," he said. "I'd love to go places that aren't showing Kentucky and the United States off, that's why we went to Dubai. Planting the American flag there was important, I feel I'm a patriot and I think we need a little boost for Kentucky, the U.S.A. -- particularly in the Mid-East."
Asmussen assistant trainer Scott Blasi served as the colt's hot walker, at one point a television crew's wire was pulled across the walking ring, and Curlin refused to cross, so Blasi took him back the around the ring and and kept the horse in an unused stall until after the 5th race.
Blasi joked that he wanted to keep Curlin in the paddock until the Derby and then load him outside the gate to run in the race.
"But they won't let us do it," Blasi said.
Curlin on the Churchill walking ring
Curlin refused to cross a cable pulled across the walking ring
2 comments:
Absolutely fabulous pictures! Reportedly it was the first time a horse walked the red carpet at Churchill. Thanks much!
When I saw Curlin walking around Twin Spires in front of the crowd, I just had to laugh, it was great! Then when he walked the red carpet I was really having fun, Curlin reminded me of Cassius Clay in his white robe just waiting to get in the ring. It was the only part of the Derby, (other than the feel good stories)I enjoyed. Love Curlin! Thanks for the pictures, for some reason, the cable picture makes me laugh, too!
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