The dream matchup between defending Horse of the Year, Curlin, and three year-old sensation, Big Brown, will now be an everlasting "what if" after Big Brown was retired this morning after sustaining an injury to his right front foot (not the same hoof pictured from Belmont Stakes in photo) during his Aqueduct turf course workout. Furthermore, it seems just as doubtful as to Curlin's status for the Breeders' Cup Classic with trainer Asmussen awaiting his final workout this afternoon before the race entry deadline tomorrow. My gut is that this will give Team Curlin an easy "out" for the race, opting instead for another Grade I dirt race (possibly in Hong Kong, an international mecca for thoroughbred racing) prior to retiring as the richest of all time. The general consensus is that the vast contingent from across the pond will have an advantage in the big race due to their grass/synthetic emphasis, which translates to success on the Santa Anita polytrack.
How quickly things can unravel such a promising event (kind of like the stock market these days). Of course, I probably jinxed this race after my wife asked this weekend the chances of an injury to Curlin or Big Brown. I was getting ready to book my accomodations to Los Angeles for next weekend. I thought at this point, perhaps one of the entrants would be injured in their final workout and scratched from the Classic, which translates to less than 15% that it would happen to either of these.
As a whole, the Breeders' Cup event is shaping up as a true international event with many super-talented horses. I will have an overview of key races after the entries are established mid-week.
Eric
Horse Racing
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