Curlin to Start in Grade 1 Stephen Foster

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Last year's Preakness winner Curlin, the reigning king of thoroughbred racing, could take on the roll of ambassador for the sport if he ventures out on a worldwide tour later this summer. The colt's connections have indicated that the prestigious $5.8 million Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Paris' Longchamp Racecourse in France and the $4.6 million Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse are being considered as possible engagements for the frequent flyer. Along with North America's $5 million Breeders' Cup, the $6 million Dubai World Cup and the $5.5 million Melbourne Cup, the above events comprise the five richest thoroughbred races in the world.

Racing's brightest star has already accounted for the Breeders Cup and $6 million Dubai World Cup on the dirt, and adding any of the other top three international turf events to his winning resume would be an unprecedented accomplishment.

Owned primarily by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables, Curlin has now banked more than $8.8 million and is a little more than $1 million short of Cigar's all-time record of nearly $10 million. A victory in any of the above mentioned races would embed him in the lofty position of racing's leading all-time money earner.

Curlin is tentatively scheduled to make his first start since his Dubai World Cup Classic victory in the Grade 1$750,000 Stephen Foster on June 14 at Churchill Downs. His nomination to the Foster has created a dilemma for the Churchill racing department who faces the task of luring opponents to challenge him. Their objective is to weigh the superstar high enough to encourage challengers, but not too high to chase the main attraction elsewhere.

"Having a horse like Curlin is great, but it sure does make it tough to get anybody else," Churchill's senior vice president of racing Donnie Richardson lamented.

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