Is this the year of Curlin?
I have been on HRN now for a year and a half, and as many of you know on here, I love Curlin. Curlin holds a special place in my heart as he was the horse that got me into the game. I first became a fan of him after his run in the 2007 Preakness. His Breeders' Cup win at Monmouth Park cemented my love for this guy. After his career came to an end, expectations were very high for the son of the late Smart Strike.
He started off at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky with a $75,000 stud fee. Through the years, however, that stud fee got lower and lower. Eventually reaching $25,000. Curlin's first crop began to race in 2012. His crop was good, but there wasn't that "wow" horse from that crop. That was, until a horse named Palace Malice came along and won the 2013 Belmont Stakes. Palace Malice went on to win five more stakes in his career, most notably the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in 2014. He has now retired and will stand his first season at stud in Three Chimenys Farm for a $25,000 fee. Curlin also was well represented by Stopshoppingdebbie, who won multiple stakes in the Northwest and now is a broodmare. She was bred to Medaglia D'oro for this year.
Curlin's second crop produced Ride On Curlin, the 2014 Preakness runner up, though he is yet a stakes winner, he has shown levels of consistency. Also from this crop came the late Diversy Harbor. Diversy Harbor won multiple stakes on the turf and showed Curlin's offspring can also run on the grass. In 2014, Curlin was the leading third crop sire with earnings of $7,797,778.
Curlin's third crop, was without a doubt his best so far. His best known runner is the West Coast based filly Stellar Wind, whose four wins from six starts was enough to give her the Eclipse Award for champion three year old filly and give Curlin his first Eclipse Award winner. Other notable horses were Keen Ice, who won just one race in 2015, but that one win came in the Travers Stakes over triple crown winner American Pharoah, in perhaps the biggest upset of the year. Curalina became Curlin's 4th Grade 1 winner when she took the Acorn on Belmont Stakes Day. Curlin's offspring continues with stakes winners Ocean Knight, Theogony, Exaggerator, Off the Tracks, and the stakes placed Conquest Curlinate. Not to mention, the long-awaited, highly anticipated debut of Jess's Dream, the first foal by 2009 horse of the year Rachel Alexandra; his win was one for the ages for Curlin fans.
In 2015, a 20% interest was purchased by Hill N' Dale Farm in Kentucky. Midway through the year, Stonestreet Farm annouced he would stand the 2016 season at Hill N' Dale and his stud fee had increased from $35,000 to $100,000. He finished #6 on the general sire list in 2015. His book for 2016 is full, and will include a number of high profile mares like Take Charge Brandi, Dame Dorothy, Callback, Teeming, and Dream Rush. While 2016 will be a fun year for him at stud, here is a sampling of horses sired by Curlin who can have an impact in their divisions...
Stellar Wind comes into 2016 as the defending three year old filly champion, she will return to racing as an older filly with a return possibly in the Spring. Stellar Wind is trained by John Sadler and her goal will once again be the Breeders' Cup Distaff, a race where she finished a close second last year.
two time Grade 1 winner Curalina returns in 2016 after a close third place finish in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. She could be a big threat to the East Coast division. an early goal could be the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on Belmont Stakes day.
Exaggerator comes into 2016 off a big win in the $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot. He has worked consistently and will make his three year old debut in the Grade 2 San Vicente at Santa Anita on February 7th. He has shown he can take his good racing on the road. Look out for this guy to make plenty of noise on the West Coast.
This filly is from Curlin's first crop, but is now starting to come around as a six year old. She is coming off two straight runner up finishes in the Falls City Handicap and more recently, the Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park. This filly trained by Mark Casse will come back on two weeks rest and run in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston next Saturday night. I think she will continue her improvement this year.
Now a three year old filly, she hasn't raced yet, but she has the family to be a good one. This filly is out of the mare Leslie's Lady, making her a half sister to both the multiple champion Beholder, and the Grade 1 winner and outstanding sire, Into Mischief. A $1.1 million dollar purchase at the Keeneland September sale, she has the looks to be a good one.
He will be forever known as the horse who upset American Pharoah in the Travers Stakes last August, but I look for more from him in 2016. He is projected to make his first start in the Donn Handicap and then travel overseas for the Dubai World Cup. Keen Ice's closing ability makes him a threat in the biggest races. Hopefully, 2016 produces more wins for this guy.
Curlin has enjoyed a great start to his stud career, with 2015 being his breakthrough year. In 2016, Curlin should enjoy another big year with more success, and being a big Curlin fan, I sure hope he does.