Curlin is Top 2008 Earner Headed to the Kentucky Derby

[I Heart Gambling Online]

An updated list of North American racing leaders features some familiar names as the sport races into the summer season.

Curlin tops all runners with $3,600,000 in earnings. The world champion's top ranking comes off just one start, an overwhelming victory in the $6 million Dubai World Cup.

Second in the rankings is Benny the Bull, winner of the Golden Shaheen with earnings of $1,365,000, followed by Well Armed with $780,000 and Santa Anita Handicap winner Heatseeker who boasts a bankroll of $768,000.

Arkansas Derby hero, Gayego, sixth on the top 10 list, leads all 3-year-olds with $687,000. Florida Derby winner Big Brown is eighth with $624,900, and Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John and Louisiana Derby victor Pyro complete the top 10 with $570,000 and $540,000 respectively. All three wealthy sophomores will attempt to add a significant amount to their bank accounts when they meet in the $2 million Kentucky Derby on May 3.

Training leader Steve Asmussen has posted unprecedented numbers. The conditioner of reigning champion Curlin and Derby contender Pyro has amassed earnings of $10,117,284. The lofty total has come via 195 first-place finishes from 787 starters, and the season is not yet to the halfway point.

Richard Dutrow, whose barn stables Benny the Bull and Kentucky Derby favorite Big Brown is in second place with $4,554,128 but has needed only 231 starts to win 57 races. Next is Todd Pletcher, with $4,442,575 counting 63 victories from 307 trips. Pletcher could be represented by four Derby starters including Blue Grass one-two finishers Monba and Cowboy Cal and upcoming Lexington Stakes contenders Atoned and Behindatthebar.

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