Saratoga (July 29) Curlin Stakes Honors Horse Racing Super Sire

Curlin is known as “The Classic Sire.” A talented race horse in his own right, he has been an en vouge sire for Classic distance winners. Saratoga honors him on Friday.

Curlin’s Legacy

On the Track

Curlin was born in 2004. The Chestnut horse was sired by Smart Strike and was out of a Deputy Minister Mare. The 11 time winner was Steve Asmussen who stands as the all-time winningest trainer in thoroughbred racing.

The prolific runner won 7 Grade 1 races and hit the board in 13 of 14 graded stakes efforts. Among the victories was the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Classic Sire

The horse left the track in 2008 and began his career at stud. Since them he has gone on to produce 84 black type horses. The list of his progeny is expansive and accomplished. They include Vino Rosso, Exaggerator, Keen Ice, Good Magic, and Stellar Wind.

In 2022 he currently ranks #4 in the active sire standings behind his notable female progeny including Nest, Malathaat, Clairiere, and Obligatory. That means in 2022 he sired the winners of the Ashland, the CCA Oaks, the Shuvee, the Ogden Phipps, The Derby City Distaff, and Doubledogdare stakes.

Curlin Stakes Full Card Analysis

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #7 SOUTHERN FLAG (6-1) gets the top selection. He is well bred for this spot. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #5 SIDEKICK (9-5) should be competitive in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the pedigree to be successful here.
• #2 GOLDEN ALCHEMIST (2-1) should improve off the first start and should be a player here. The first figure was very good for this group.
• #3 GATE RUNNER (9-2) isn't without hope. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 2 – 3

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 1:37 PM ET; $50k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 14

• #2 SEANAN (10-1) is a price horse and gets the top selection. He makes sense on speed figures. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #10 LOZ (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #9 HIGHGATE ROAD (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. His speed figures fit in this group. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #7 LOOKIN GRAND (4-1) should be competitive in this spot. The figures make him a player here. This one is well bred for this spot.

Selections: 2 – 10- 9 – 7

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 2:11 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 FINGAL'S CAVE (5-2) gets the top selection. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one may get the absolute dream flow of the race in this spot.
• #7 INSIGNIA (6-5) appears to be a major player in this race. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 JOIN THE DOTS (5-1) appears to be a major player in this race. The form lines on this one say that 5-1 is a tempting price.
• #6 SPIKED (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Terranova and Velazquez.

Selections: 3 – 7 – 2 – 6

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 2:43 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #11 HAPPY HILL LIL (6-1) gets the top pick. She should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #10 TIS A PITY (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. She makes sense on speed figures. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #12 FONTANAFREDDA (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #8 SILKEN DOLLAR (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 11- 10- 12- 8

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 3:13 PM ET; $52k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 15

• #10 SWEEPING GIANT (7-5) gets the top selection. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #15 GOOD SOLDIER (3-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #5 GUT FEELING (5-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He goes out for the Stall barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #12 EMPIRE RIDGE (12-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Maker and Saez. This one makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 10- 15- 5 – 12

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 3:46 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #8 QUICK CHAOS (6-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He makes sense base on the debut speed figure. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in the previous start.
• #9 TEN CENT TOWN (9-2) should be better in the second start and appears to be a major player in this race. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #1 CAMM' DUKE (15-1) is a price horse and appears to be a factor in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one comes into the race in good form.
• #4 DEE'S SPEEDSTRE (8-1) should 2nd out and could pull an upset based on the run he made on debut.

Selections: 8 – 9 – 1 – 4

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 4:18 PM ET; $135k Curlin S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 A. P.'S SECRET (8-1) gets the top selection. He seems to fit well enough here and may find himself winging alone on the front end.
• #7 CREATIVE MINISTER (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. His last races looked suspect, but that was in the much longer Belmont Stakes. He gets a nice cut back here. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #2 GILDED AGE (10-1) is a price horse and appears to have a shot here. He looks to be among the classiest in the field. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #9 ARTORIUS (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz.

Selections: 3 – 7 – 2 – 9

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 4:56 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 16

• #2 XY SPEED (8-1) gets the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 ANACONDA (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one has done well at these turf sprints in the past.
• #4 FAUCI (9-2) appears to be a factor in this race. He is one that likes to sit back and run late. In a race with plenty of early foot, a late runner may really benefit here.
• #1 LYRICAL POET (6-1) makes some sense in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Ward and Ortiz. Ward got a big win with Kimari on Wednesday. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 4 – 1

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 5:32 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 BALTASAR (5-2) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #3 LIFE CHANGER (7-2) could be in with a shot in this race. His speed and class fit this group really well.
• #4 QUICK TO BLAME (6-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. This one should have no problem carrying the speed the full 6 furlongs.
• #8 CHARGER (8-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He makes sense on speed figures. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 4 – 8

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 6:08 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #6 STELLA MARS (6-1) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Handal and Rosario. These turf races are ultra competitive so the price is a big bonus.
• #16 MAYBE LATER (2-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She looks to be the class of the field. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 VOICE OF SPRING (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She seems to fit well enough here. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #12 MIA AT MIDNIGHT (4-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Walder and Ortiz. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 6 – 16- 3 – 12

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