They race on Thursday?

Not that we don't race on Thursday's in America, and likely even hold stakes races on that day of the week, but my apparently ethno-centric view of sports has resulted in shock that Curlin (Smart Strike- Sheriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister) will be making his 4-year old and Dubai track debut tomorrow in the Jaguar Trophy, and not on a weekend when sports events are sensibly supposed to be held. The race will be 1 1/4 miles on the dirt, a distance we know Curlin knows and likes, with a purse of $175,000. His four opponents for the race are Familiar Territory and Imperialista, both trained by Saeed bin Suroor (a five time winner of the World Cup...which is a more impressive factor when one considers it has only ever been run 12 times before), Arqaam, Engrupido, and Jet Express. I know absolutely nothing about these horses...except that they will pretty much have to bank on Curlin not having taken the trip overseas well in order to bring home the bacon. Unfortunately for them, Curlin seems to have settled in well, was not fazed by the long plane ride, and worked easily in the unfamiliar Dubai starting gates (thank you over-coverage of the horse racing media for making sure I am aware of Curlin's every move).

This race is, of course, intended to be a prep for the March 29th, $6 million dollar Dubai World Cup. That race, which is also run at a mile and a quarter, was won last year by Invasor (Candy Stripes-Quendom, by Interprete), champion in two countries. Finishing second in that race (and unfortunately pretty much forgotten) was Premium Tap (Pleasant Tap-Premium Road, by Thirty Six Red), who I personally have a very great liking for. It will be interesting to see what the end of March brings for Curlin. As for tomorrow, well, I certainly wouldn't call the Jaguar Trophy a 'soft touch' for him, but I don't expect his competition to give him too much trouble.

In other news

Someone in Texas found a good home for his no longer race ready Mailman Express, when he gave the horse to a waitress as a tip. A winner of $15,000 at the track, the 5-year old gelding will now live a life of comparative ease as a pleasure horse for his new owner. Let's hear it for another racing veteran avoiding the slaughterhouse.