Dubai: If ever a racehorse met all expectations in a major workout, it was American Horse of the Year Curlin in his drill at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Monday.
Sent out around 7:30am on a cool, breezy morning for what was described as his most significant exercise prior to the $6 million Dubai World Cup (Gr 1), sponsored by Emirates airline, Curlin did exactly what trainer Steve Asmussen wanted.
Travelling easily under exercise rider Carmen "Carlos" Rosas, the robust son of Smart Strike worked six furlongs (about 1,200 metres) in 1:13.54, with his first eighth mile (about 200 metres) in :13.40 and his final furlong in :12.19.
Assistant trainer Scott Blasi said Curlin "is just in a really good rhythm right now".
"It was exactly what we had in mind, and he galloped out strong," he added. "That was his major move for the Dubai World Cup, and I couldn't be happier with how he went and the rhythm he is in."
Curlin is being honed for the Dubai World Cup in much the same pattern Asmussen used in the colt's preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr 1) last October, a race he won with ease over America's best runners.
Primary goal
Blasi said Asmussen's primary goal with yesterday's workout was that Curlin get the first furlong in :13 and change and the last in :12 and change, noting "that's exactly what he did."
Although Blasi said Rosas "is a man of few words," the rider "is very excited about how strong (Curlin) is; he says he feels as strong as he ever has."
Despite that power, Curlin has learned how to focus his energy and has a keen sense of what will be asked of him and how he should perform.
"He's a very intelligent horse. It's almost as if he knows what we're going to do with him every day," Blasi said. "And as good as Curlin can feel at the barn or when he is walking, when he is on the racetrack with a rider on his back, he's as professional a racehorse as I've ever seen. When he steps on the track, he goes to work. That's been a blessing in working with him, how professional he is."
Curlin will have one more timed workout before the Dubai World Cup, but it will not be as demanding as Monday's six-furlong drill, Blasi said.
Meanwhile, five other American-trained horses worked on Sunday in the United States prior to their scheduled flights to Dubai today.
Dubai World Cup contenders A.P. Arrow and Great Hunter worked on opposite coasts, with the former turning in a five-furlong breeze at Palm Beach Downs in Florida in 1:00.40 and the latter an easy six furlongs in 1:15, handily, at Hollywood Park in California.
The most sensational workout in terms of time was posted by Bushwacker, who fired a bullet :45 for a half-mile at Hollywood, fastest of 28 moves at the distance. Bushwacker is set to run in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News.
Spring House, a candidate for the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1), sponsored by Nakheel, worked five furlongs at Santa Anita Park in 1:00.40.
