in the classic if he runs...esp. if he has no lines on the 'poly'

Much like some people threw out Col. John in the Derby...and I guess in hindsight...rightfully so.

Horse's going from true dirt to poly...a coin flip as to whether they run good or not.

Yeah...I know...I'm an idiot...let the crucifing begin!

BUT...as it looks now...this WILL BE the correct MATH play...once again!

Well I would guess that IF he were to run in the Classic he would prep in the goodward or so. Personally think that if he works out good on the turf, they are going to take a shot at the Arc.

Sure sounds as if the Arc is in the cards:

http://racing.bloodhorse.com/article/45743.htm

Following Curlin's dominant win in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 14, trainer Steve Asmussen says he's planning to work the reigning Horse of the Year over the Churchill Downs grass course while considering a bid in France's Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), Europe’s greatest race for older horses.

Asmussen said he would work Curlin on the turf and find a grass race for him in North America on the weekend of July 12-13. He did not say if he had a particular race in mind. He would prefer a race over an international style course, such as those at Arlington Park, Belmont Park or Woodbine. Major turf races for older horses scheduled that weekend include the $500,000 Man O’ War (gr. IT) at 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Park and the Arlington Handicap (gr. III) at 1 1/4 miles at Arlington Park.

Were the champion turned in a “Curlin-esque” performance in that race, he said the 4-year-old son of Strike Smart would ship to France to train at Chantilly. Curlin would probably have one race prior to the Arc in France, most likely a traditional Arc prep like Longchamp’s Prix Foy (Fr-II).

Talk about planning ahead. The Breeders' Cup is only 4 1/2 months away if Curlin were to bypass the Arc in favor of the Classic.

Any idea what you're eating for dinner 17 Tuesdays from tomorrow?

17 Tues. from now...it'll be a 16 oz..med-rare rib-eye steak...grilled!

A fine choice Sammy. A fine choice.

At this point, considering the weakness (so far) of the likely challengers, there's no good reason to think that Curlin couldn't/shouldn't win any race on U.S. soil.

He might be an underlay, but he's still the best horse. Seriously. Who's gonna beat him? Mast Track? Go Between? Col. John?

I will be betting AGAINST Curlin...

most, if not his races were STERIOD AIDED....so really...how good is he???

Not gonna take a SHORT price to find out...esp...on a NEW surface...

B.O.L. to all those who back him!

The same reason i wouldn't play him to win(used him underneath) in the man o war(short price/trying something for the first time)but as Vagrant said in an earlier post "He might be an underlay, but he's still the best horse. Seriously. Who's gonna beat him? Mast Track? Go Between? Col. John?".Ill probably settle on one of the European invaders cause i just don't think Casino Drive is ready to be "that" horse yet.Its a matter of not who's gonna win but rather who should i bet on!

I'll put no thought and very little money into the race.

Boxing the 6 longest morning line shots in exactas -looking for chaos and a four figure payoff.Need that Gulfstream result the year Cat Thief won-bomber/bomber.

FWIW Smart Strike's progeny have been running a couple lengths faster on synthetic surfaces vs traditional dirt. If you're gonna best against him (not gonna talk you down), don't let the surface be the main factor, by all accounts he actually should be better over synthetics.

-BB