Curlin (foaled March 25, 2004 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2007 Preakness Stakes. One of the favorites among North American bettors to win the 2007 Kentucky Derby, Curlin placed third in the race behind winner Street Sense. Prior to the 2007 Derby, Curlin had been unbeaten in three starts.
| Curlin | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Smart Strike |
| Grandsire | Mr. Prospector |
| Dam | Sherriff's Deputy |
| Damsire | Deputy Minister |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 2004 |
| Country | United States  |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Fares Farm Inc. |
| Owner | Racing partnership: Midnight Cry Stables, Padua Stables, Stonestreet Farm, George Bolton |
| Trainer | Steve Asmussen |
| Record | 6: 4-1-1 |
| Earnings | $1,802,800 |
| Major wins | |
| Rebel Stakes (2007) Arkansas Derby (2007) Preakness Stakes (2007) | |
| Last updated on June 25, 2007 | |
Curlin was sired by Smart Strike, a former star from the Sam-Son Farm racing team in Ontario, Canada and a half-brother of 1991 Canadian Triple Crown winner, Dance Smartly. He was out of the mare Sherriff's Deputy, a daughter of Canadian Horse of the Year and two-time North American Champion sire, Deputy Minister.
The colt was named for Charles Curlin, an African-American slave from western Kentucky who fought for the Union Army with the United States Colored Troops in the American Civil War. One of his original owners, through his interest in Midnight Cry Stables, is Charles Curlin's great, great grandson.
Unraced at age two, in February of 2007 Curlin won a seven-furlong maiden race for three-year-olds by 12 ¾ lengths at Gulfstream Park in Florida after which he was purchased by a racing partnership headed by majority shareholder Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Farm. Originally owned by Midnight Cry Stables, who maintain a share, the new partnership also includes Padua Stables and George Bolton. Curlin went on to race at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas where in March, jockey Robby Albarado rode him to victory in the Rebel Stakes, and, in mid April, in the Arkansas Derby. Very impressive in every start, his winning margin in his three races adds up to 28 1/2 lengths.
2007 Triple Crown chase
133rd Kentucky Derby
Much anticipation existed with Curlin and also the rare wins a horse in his position faced. To date the last horse to win the Derby with just three lifetime starts was in 1915, when it was captured by Harry Payne Whitney's Hall of Fame filly, Regret. Also, the last horse to win the Derby without having raced at age two was 125 years ago, when Apollo won the 1882 edition.
Regardless of those historical facts, Curlin was established as the morning line favorite by Churchill Downs official handicapper Mike Battaglia at 7-2. He was the second betting favorite when the race went off. Breaking from post number 2 in the full field of 20 starters, Curlin finished 3rd behind Street Sense and Hard Spun.
132nd Preakness Stakes
Curlin won the 2007 Preakness Stakes on May 19, beating the Kentucky Derby winner and favorite Street Sense by a short head. Curlin stumbled out from the gate but was able to maintain his balance. Street Sense took the lead around the 3/16 marker when Curlin made his move. He fought Street Sense neck and neck the rest of the way and was able to stick his head out in front and win the race with a time of 1:53.46, equalling the fastest in Preakness history set by Tank's Prospect in 1985, and equalled by Louis Quatorze in 1996.
139th Belmont Stakes
Curlin was the even money favorite in the Belmont Stakes. However, the filly, Rags to Riches, went on to win the race at 4-1, with Curlin placing second.