Dubai: Curlin, the mightily impressive winner of the $6million (Dh22 million) Dubai World Cup will have a well-deserved rest before returning to the track for the second part of the year.
Trainer Steve Asmussen reported Curlin to be full of energy after his winning effort and said his class act would be sent to New York on Wednesday to clear quarantine at Belmont Park.
On Sunday, the four-year-old son of Smart Strike will be shipped to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, where he eventually will resume light training on the Polytrack surface.
"From there, we'll plan a course for the second half of the year," Asmussen said, adding that he, Curlin's owners and assistant trainer Scott Blasi and exercise rider Carlos Rosas will confer about what they think would be the best plan for future races.
"It will be decided collectively and based on what's in the best interest of the horse and his legacy," Asmussen said of his star, who has come out of the race without any problems.
Absolutely fine
Sun Classique, winner of the $5 million (Dh19 million) Dubai Sheema Classic is bound for Hong Kong and the UK. "She's absolutely fine," said her trainer Mike de Kock. "We will probably go the Irridescence route, and take her to Sha Tin for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
"She'll then spend the summer in the UK, with the rest of my string from Dubai, and we'll think about Royal Ascot, although that might be a big ask as we won't have much time.
"There are other races like the Nassau and Sun Chariot Stakes to consider, so we don't have to rush her."
De Kock enjoyed an incredible night to remember as he also saddled the first two in the $2million (Dh7.5 million) UAE Derby, Honour Devil and Royal Vintage.
"They both have come out of the races well and done us proud," he said. "We might think about some races in America with Honour Devil and Royal Vintage could be our Dubai World Cup horse next year."
Fellow South African winner Jay Peg, who landed the $5 million (Dh19 million) Dubai Duty Free is also bound for Hong Kong then possibly the Singapore Cup.
Terry Fripp, assistant to his trainer Herman Brown, said: "The horse is fine and he pulled out in great shape this morning."
Richard Dutrow Jr was also in double form, training the winners of the $2million (Dh7.5 million) Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, and the $1million (Dh3.75 million) Godolphin Mile in Benny The Bull and Diamond Stripes.
Dutrow has a lot to look forward to as he also won the Florida Derby on Saturday at Gulfstream Park with Big Brown,.
"They both came out of their races in good shape, they cooled out well and they're fine this morning," said Dutrow's assistant Michelle Nevin.
Both horses are scheduled to be shipped to New York on Wednesday, and will remain there with the rest of trainer Dutrow's stable.
"We haven't thought of any long-range plans," Nevin said. "It's going to take Dutrow a couple of days to just calm down from all the excitement. He was just so happy."
It is likely that Benny the Bull will be put on a path to get him to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (Gr 1), while Diamond Stripes could eventually be aimed at the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, she said.
The plan will be decided collectively and based on what's in the best interest of the horse and his legacy."
Steve Asmussen, Curlin's trainer
