Steve Asmussen is reportedly upset about the 128 pounds Curlin has been assigned for Saturday's Stephen Foster Handicap (GI). So upset that he told the Daily Racing Form: “It might eliminate us from running."
While it is certainly a lot of weight, it isn't the most Curlin has ever carried, as he was assigned 132 pounds during the February handicap in Dubai that he used to prep for the World Cup.
I'm not sure what Asmussen expected, but I think Churchill Downs racing secretary Ben Huffman probably made a fair assignment. Hell in the end, if Curlin toys with this field it will actually mean that he wasn't assigned enough weight.
From The Daily Racing Form:
“He’s won the Breeders’ Cup, reeled off four in a row, took the Jockey Club, and easily beat Dubai World Cup horses,” Huffman said. “It’s a lot of weight, but he’s a lot of horse.”
Huffman said he didn’t feel pressure to conservatively assign weight to Curlin, even after Churchill Downs has heavily marketed Curlin’s expected appearance in the race in recent weeks.
He said Curlin needed to be weighted appropriately to ensure participation from other horses.
The DRF reports that weight assignments for the other horses on the probable list are: Student Council (120), Einstein (118), Grasshopper (117), Brass Hat (116), Delightful Kiss (114), Jonesboro (114), Barcola (113), High Blues (113), Red Rock Creek (113) and Sam P. (113).
4 comments:
OH no I am going to Churchill to see Curlin on Saturday! Will they lower the weight?
I had planned on going to Churchill on Saturday as well. Guess I will wait and see how this plays out.
I don't know how often they give in to the threats of trainers but I guess we will see how determined Churchill is to have Curlin run.
The weight is fair. To give in b/c of complaints about it is a mistake.
I agree Michael. I think the weight is fair as well.
I just want to be able to see Curlin!
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