Essex Could Be Next for Ride on Curlin
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Ride On Curlin could return to stakes and two-turn action in the $100,000 Essex Handicap Feb. 14 at Oaklawn, trainer Billy Gowan said Friday morning.
Thursday afternoon at Oaklawn, Ride On Curlin made a successful return to racing with a head victory over Ali’s Birthday in a second-level allowance/ optional claiming sprint as the even-money favorite.
Ride On Curlin, runner-up in last year’s Arkansas Derby and Preakness, ran 6 furlongs in 1:10.40 over a fast track and earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
It was Ride On Curlin’s first start since the Belmont Stakes June 7.
“I wouldn’t have been crushed if he had gotten beat, because it was his first race back,” Gowan said. “I just wanted to see him run his race. He sure showed up, like he always does.”
Gowan said he was a little concerned early in the race because Ride On Curlin was farther back than expected after breaking a step slow when he struck the side of the gate.
Ride On Curlin, saving ground under Jon Court, began to advance on the leaders late in the turn, but was still eighth after Ali’s Birthday had taken the field through a half-mile in :45.28.
Ali’s Birthday, who was making his first start since April because of an ankle injury, was three lengths clear in midstretch, but Ride On Curlin wore the front-runner down on the outside in the final strides.
Ride On Curlin was flanked by a large group of supporters in the winner’s circle, including owner Dan Dougherty of Louisville, Ky., who purchased the son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin for only $25,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
“A lot of people like the horse,” Gowan said. “It was pretty cool. It was fun to get him back to the races.”
Gowan said Ride On Curlin came out of the race in good order and could be headed toward the 1 1/16-mile Essex. “If he’s jumping out of his skin, we’ll consider it pretty strongly,” Gowan said.
The trainer said Ride On Curlin’s major spring objective is the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 11.
The victory was Ride On Curlin’s third in 13 lifetime starts and increased his earnings to $751,287.
Ride On Curlin began his 2014 campaign with a victory in an entry-level allowance/optional claiming sprint last January at Oaklawn.
Source: Oaklawn Park Communications
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