Triomphe race plan put in doubt by second place finish

New York: Plans for the Horse of the Year Curlin to run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October were thrown into doubt when he finished second in the Man o'War Stakes at Belmont Park.

Red Rocks, ridden by Javier Castellano, won the 11-furlong race in just over two minutes.

The horse finished two lengths ahead of Curlin, who was making his debut on grass.

Better Talk Now, winner of the 2004 Breeders Cup Turf and the 2005 Man o'War, finished third.

"We'll just evaluate how he comes out of the race," said Curlin trainer Steve Asmussen.

"I don't want to rush to judgment. He was a step slow coming out of the gate.

"We'll just evaluate more thoroughly. We'll monitor his condition."

Asmussen entered the four-year-old colt in the race to see if he could compete against top turf horses.

A victory would have had the winner of the 2008 Dubai World Cup and the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic headed to France for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 5.

Trainer Steve Asmussen will evaluate Curlin's condition before deciding on entering the prestigious race.