CURLIN touches down in Dubai

Curlin (Matthew Stockman/Getty)Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) arrived in Dubai Sunday evening following a flight from Florida via London. The trip “could not have gone any better,” according to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.

“My hat’s off to whoever orchestrated all this,” Scott Blasi said, praising the Janah Management Co. Ltd. of Newmarket, England, which dispatched skilled traveling groom Chris Webster to help tend to Curlin. The GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hero is slated to remain in quarantine for the next 48 hours before beginning his serious work in advance of his intended start in a 2000-meter handicap at Nad Al Sheba February 28. That race will serve as Curlin’s prep for the G1 Dubai World Cup March 29. “Curlin is pretty smart, he knows he’s here to do something,” Scott Blasi said. “He’s got quite a bit of pep in his step, so I’ll be anxious to get him to the track.” Scott Blasi indicated that the strapping chestnut colt would have an official workout sometime early next week. Regular rider Robby Albarado is scheduled to arrive in Dubai February 26, while Steve Asmussen will surface the following day.

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News 19.02.08