I apologize for there being no update on the Curlin babies last week.  However, it’s not for lack of racing by the sons and daughters of Blinkers Off’s favourite sire.  Highlights of the past two weeks include Palace Malice romping in the Westchester (GIII), as well as Stopshoppingdebbie improving her career mark to six wins in six starts in the Hastings Handicap.  This coming week features Ride On Curlin making his return in the Preakness Stakes, as well as Curlin’s Princess becoming the first member of Curlin’s third crop who I am aware of to set foot on the track.

There are lots of Curlin babies to catch up on, so let’s dive in!

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Welcome to another installment of this week in Curlin babies: all the news that’s fit to print about Blinkers Off’s favourite sire.  This week’s highlights include Shiva Curlin breaking his maiden at Calder, and stakes placings for a couple of fillies, Diversy Harbor and Flash Forward.  This week we have Ride On Curlin’s run in the Grade I Arkansas Derby to look forward to, as well as some information about where Palace Malice will be racing next.  As always, there’s plenty of news on the Curlin Babies front, so let’s get started!

Race Results

• Curlin N Twirlin (Bluff for Bluff, by Pine Bluff) – On April 7, Curlin N Twirlin finished ninth and last, beaten 15 3/4 lengths, in an N1X allowance at six furlongs on the Parx dirt.  She chased a few lengths back early, steadily dropped back into the far turn, and never fired to make up any ground.  It was the four-year-old filly’s first race back after a four-month layoff; hopefully that knocked the dust off, and she’ll be back in better form next time out.
• Curlin’s Kid (Lucette, by Dayjur) – On April 6, Curlin’s Kid finished sixth and last, beaten 13 3/4 lengths, in a maiden special weight at a mile and a sixteenth on the Pimlico dirt.  Breaking from the rail, the three-year-old gelding set the early fractions, and dueled with Mr. Ticker Talker (the eventual winner) going into the far turn.  He started to fade coming out into the stretch, though, and tired out coming down the stretch.  This was his first time at Pimlico and his eighth career race.
• Diversy Harbor (Motokiks, by Storm Cat) – On April 5th, Diversy Harbor finished 2nd by a length in the Providencia Stakes (GIII) at 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita turf.  The three-year-old filly finished behind Nashoba’s Gold, the horse she beat by half a length in the one-mile China Doll stakes last time out.  She bumped into Margot Machance coming out of the gate, settled near the back of the pack, and started making up distance into the far turn.  As they approached the stretch, she and Nashoba’s Gold were on even terms, just two or three lengths off the lead.  Diversy Harbor had just a little trouble finding a place to come through horses into the stretch; Nashoba’s Gold had a clearer path on the outside, and started her stretch dash a little earlier.  That made the difference, and Diversy Harbor was beaten for the first time in her three-race career.  It looks like there’s a nice little rivalry brewing between these two turf fillies; I’m looking forward to seeing where they turn up next.
• Flash Forward (Magical Flash, by Miswaki) – On April 6, Flash Forward finished third in the Cat Cay stakes, 7 1/2 lengths behind winner Princess of Sylmar.  The race was at a mile on the Aqueduct outer dirt.  She raced in last most of the race, four or five lengths from the lead.  She didn’t have a big closing kick, and never really challenged either Princess of Sylmar or second-place Wedding Toast, but ran steadily enough late to pick off both Highestmaintenance and Montana Native, who were fading down the stretch.  She has still only won one stakes, the My Flag Stakes at Saratoga last August.  However, the four-year-old filly has now hit the board in eight stakes races, including a show in the Top Flight Handicap (GII) at Aqueduct last month.
• Lady of Luck (Lunarlady, by Yes It’s True) – On April 5, Lady of Luck finished 4th, just 1/2 length behind winner Hard to Resist, in the Czaria Stakes at six furlongs on the Sunland Park dirt.  The four-year-old filly hung back five or six lengths early, biding her time through a three-way speed duel, and started making up distance through the far turn.  She gained on the front through the stretch all the way to the wire — but the other two horses coming in from off the pace fired well, and one of the three from the early duel was able to hang on near the front as well.  The race is worth watching just for the tough finish: Hard to Resist and Cottagecupcake hit the wire just about together, with both Challenging and Lady of Luck just behind them in that pack.  Even though she didn’t extend her win streak to three races, she has nothing to be ashamed of, and contended well in this company.
• Moulin de Mougin (Cambiocorsa, by Avenue of Flags) – On April 4, Moulin de Mougin finished third, 2 lengths behind post-time favourite Theatre Star, in an allowance optional claimer, at 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita turf.  The four-year-old filly did not run for a tag; she qualified under the N2X condition.  She stalked a couple of lengths off the pace, and came three wide into the stretch; she was unable to catch Theatre Star or match the late run of Rhagori, but had enough in the tank to repel Lady Asano’s late run and hold the show.  This was her second attempt at 1 1/18 miles; she won an allowance at the distance by 1 1/4 lengths on February 9, also on the Santa Anita turf.  This looks to be the right level and distance for her.
• Oxford Babes (Spring Awakening, by In Excess (IRE)) – On April 10, Oxford Babes finished 5th beaten 9 3/4 lengths in an N1X allowance at six and a half furlongs on the Keeneland polytrack, as a 41.6-1 long shot.  It was the four-year-old filly’s third career start and first race against winners; on March 15 she won a six-furlong maiden special weight at Turfway.  She settled about half a dozen lengths back down the backstretch, but lacked the late kick of winner Dauphine Russe or second-place horse Similu.  She did have enough left down the stretch to pass several tiring horses, however.  It wasn’t an amazing race, but it wasn’t a bad shot against a tougher company than she ever faced at Indiana Downs or Turfway.
• Please Explain (Lizzy’s Bluff, by Pine Bluff) – I already discussed this race in some detail in my fantasy recap earlier this week, so I’ll try to avoid repeating too much here.  Please Explain went out in the Fantasy Stakes as the 2.9-1 favourite, and came back with her first career off-the-b0ard finish.  Drayden Van Dyke had her in last early, about half a dozen back, and she just never fired.  She crossed the wire in seventh place out of the field of eight, ten lengths behind winner Sugar Shock.  She garnered no Kentucky Oaks points here, so it remains to be seen what her next race will be.
• Shiva Curlin (Cavan Thunder, by Jump Start) – On April 6, Shiva Curlin won a maiden special weight at a mile on the Calder dirt.  This was the three-year-old colt’s third career start, and his first start off of a seven-month layoff.  He broke well, and settled into a stalking position about a length off the early pace set by Supreme Privilege and Dreaming of Dayna.  He looked like he wanted to go earlier, but was boxed in along the rail all the way through the far turn.  However, coming into the stretch, Supreme Privilege came off the rail far enough to give Shiva Curlin a hole.  As soon as that happened, he was gone; he accelerated down the stretch, and finished six lengths in front of the second-place Royal Signature.  His connections clearly saw talent in him last year; Shiva Curlin’s first career start was in the Seacliff Stakes at Calder last August, in which he finished fourth.  He made one more start, finishing second in a maiden special at Calder last September by a neck, but fourteen lengths in front of the third-place horse.  He clearly came back ready to go from the winter lay; hopefully we’ll see him in allowance company soon.
• Skydeck (Thiscatsforcaryl, by Storm Cat) – On April 10, Skydeck finished second beaten a head by longshot First Freedom in a $20,000 maiden claimer, at six furlongs on the Keeneland poly.  The three-year-old filly was in her fifth career start, and in her first race in the claiming ranks after four attempts in maiden special company at Turfway.  Breaking from the 10 gate in a field of 12, she stalked a couple lengths back from First Freedom’s lead down the backstretch.  She made a move through the far turn; it was only around two horses, but ended up being about five wide, distancewise.  Skydeck gained ground in the last sixteenth, but just barely ran out of room — First Freedom held on by a narrowing head.  At post time, Skydeck was owned by J. Armando Rodriguez and trained by Mike Maker: the same connections as General a Rod.  She was, however, claimed out of the race; now she is owned by William Hart, and trained by Wayne Catalano.  Hopefully this means I will get to see her run at Arlington this summer, a pretty likely plan for a horse who has only ever run on the polytrack, and is now trained by Catalano.
• Wise Minister (Take a Check, by Touch Gold) – On April 6, Wise Minister finished second in an N1X allowance race at a mile and a sixteenth on the Pimlico dirt.  He stalked a handful of lengths off the pace early, and never was able to challenge the lead of Ghareeb.  He did, however, get ahead of the pack at large, along with Canal Street.  The three-year-old colt didn’t have quite as much left at the end as the six-year-old Canal Street, and crossed the wire third: a length behind the adversary to his immediate outside, but 14 1/4 behind the runaway Ghareeb.  However, Ghareeb was disqualified.  Coming into the stretch, he had borne out sharply into Tooth N Claw, leading the latter to clip heels and drop right out of the race.  After a stewards’ inquiry and jockey objection, Ghareeb was placed last, elevating Wise Minister to second.  There was actually an objection lodged by the jockey of Tru Greek against Wise Minister, alleging interference going into the first turn; that claim was denied, and Wise Minister held second.  This was Wise Minister’s first time stretching past a mile, and his first attempt against older horses.  He acquitted himself well given that, and I expect to see him in more allowances on the Maryland circuit as the spring progresses.

Racing Soon

• Calamondin (Redaspen, by Bianconi) – Calamondin drew the 2 gate in a seven furlong N1x allowance at Aqueduct on Saturday, April 12.  The four-year-old gelding makes his first start since March 19, when he broke his maiden by 10 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Laurel.  This will be his first time racing at Aqueduct, and his first career attempt against winners.
• Ride On Curlin (Magical Ride, by Storm Cat) – On April 12, Ride On Curlin will head postward in the Arkansas Derby (GI); he drew the 4th gate.  At 1 1/8 miles, it will be the longest race of his career by half a furlong; last out he finished third behind Hoppertunity and Tapiture in the hard-knocking Rebel Stakes (GII).  The Pride of Ellis put in a strong seven-furlong work this week, and looks ready to put up a good effort.  Jon Court has the mount for the first time; Court has won the Arkansas Derby twice (Line of David in 2010, Archarcharch in 2011).  He has a good shot of punching his ticket to the Kentucky Derby if he manages to hit the board.  He currently has 15 points — 10 points for fourth will mean a few things have to fall his way, but the 100 or 50 points for first or second put him in for sure, and even the third-place 20 points should give him a good shot to make his next stop the Run for the Roses.
• Shesacurlinmytoes (Cafe Concerto, by Trempolino) – April 13, Shesacurlinmytoes breaks from the 2 gate in a $40,000 starter allowance at Golden Gate Fields, at a mile on the turf.  The three-year-old filly last raced at the same level and distance, but on the Golden Gate Tapeta, on March 16; she finished second beaten just half a length that last time out.  She has only raced once on the turf in her eight starts to date: a January 3, 2014 win in a $20,000-$18,000 maiden claimer, at a mile on the Golden Gate turf.  It’s good to see her return there.
• Smart Number (Star Number, by Polish Numbers) – Smart Number has the 4 post in a $40,000 allowance optional claimer at Pimlico on April 13, at 1 1/16 miles over the dirt.  The three-year-old filly is not up for the tag, and races under the N2L condition.  This is her first race at Pimlico; she raced through the winter at Laurel.  Last out, on March 1, she finished a well-beaten third in a one-mile allowance optional claiming race at Laurel.  This is only her second race at a mile and a sixteenth; she has done most of her races, including her maiden win, at a mile.

Other News

• Palace Malice (Palace Rumor, by Royal Anthem) – Dogwood Stable issued a release this week, announcing Palace Malice’s plans for the next few races.  It’s looking like he’s cutting back to a mile for the next few races: next on his calendar is the Westchester Stakes (GIII), a mile at Belmont on May 11.  If that race goes well, the goal is the Met Mile (GI) on Belmont day.  If a mile at Belmont isn’t to his liking, they may consider something longer like the Brooklyn Handicap (GII), but the main goal looks to be mile races for the immediate future.  I’m not quite as worried about the distance as I was going into the Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII), given that he took on horses more accustomed to a mile and won, but that stretch run in the New Orleans Handicap (GII) still underscored my thought that he’s a distance horse.
• An as-yet-unnamed two-year-old colt by the Tale of the Cat mare Upcoming Story had been announced as hip 58 in the Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training sale, but was declared out.  I will keep an eye on him to see if he pops up in another sale eventually, or ends up just hitting the worktab later in the next year or two.

That’s it for this week.  If there’s a Curlin baby at any level of racing who you think I missed, leave a comment and let me know so I can add them to my list and cover them in future installments of this week in Curlin babies!

Welcome to another installment of this week in Curlin babies: all the news that’s fit to print about Blinkers Off’s favourite sire.  Last week’s highlights include Palace Malice winning the Grade II New Orleans Handicap in dazzling fashion, as well as J to the Croft breaking his maiden at first asking as the longest shot in the field.  Big races this coming week includes Please Explain trying to punch her ticket to the Oaks in the Fantasy Stakes (GIII), the undefeated Diversy Harbor taking her first shot at graded company in the Providencia (GIII), and Flash Forward facing none other than the fabulous Princess of Sylmar (not a Curlin baby, but another personal favourite of Blinkers Off…) in the Cat Cay!

Race Results

• Air Squadron (Air France, by French Deputy) – March 29, Air Squadron finished 5th beaten 9 lengths in a 1 mile 70 yard N1X allowance at Fair Grounds.  The four-year-old colt had been on the main track only list, and got into the gate since the race was pulled off the turf.  He spent most of the race amid the pack chasing Coneyo Fontova’s pace, though that 12 post he drew ended up leading him to be very wide through the turns.  He wasn’t able to find a late kick, and though he faded less than some others, he couldn’t contend with the late closing kick of winner Eriugena (IRE), or even third-place longshot Purgenality.  It’s his second-straight fifth place finish after breaking his maiden in his ninth start.
• Charlie A (Seresa’s Spirit, by Rahy) and Danalin (Danaway, by Giant’s Causeway) – Both of these horses raced in an N1X allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream on March 29, over seven and a half furlongs on the turf.  They were both near the back early: Danalin down along the rail, and Charlie A outside a bit.  Charlie A made a wide move through the far turn but could not sustain it; she finished 9th beaten 8 3/4 lengths.  This was her third career race, and her second at this level after a first-out maiden win at this distance in January.  Danalin was caught in traffic coming down into the stretch, but finally found racing room.  She was flying up the rail as the wire approached, but it was too little too late; Danalin crossed the wire 4th, 3 3/4 lengths behind winner Daring Kathy.  This was Danalin’s fifth straight finish at either third or fourth after breaking her maiden at first asking.
• Inmyfathersimage (Friendly Michelle, by Artax) – On April 2, Inmyfathersimage ran 3rd in a $25,000 claiming race at Aqueduct, at a mile over the outer dirt.  He broke a step slow, settled back, but started making a wide move through the far turn.  He was unable to catch Beeliner, who made a beeline to the front and led wire to wire.  He did make it up far enough for a short duel with second-place Saturday Appeal before checking in third.  The four-year-old gelding finished 3 1/2 lengths behind Beeliner, and 1/2 length behind the slightly re-rallying Saturday Appeal.  He was trained by Rudy Rodriguez and owned by MAT Stables, Inc. going into the race, but was also the only horse claimed out of it.  He is now trained by Yvon Belsoeur, and owned by Bruno Schickedanz.
• J to the Croft (A to the Croft, by Menifee) – This three-year-old colt raced for the first time on April 2, in a six-furlong maiden special at Aqueduct.  5-1 on the morning line, he slipped to 16.6-1 by post time.  This made him the longest shot in a field of six — but, no matter.  He won at first asking.  He bolted along the rail to battle for the lead, fought head and head with Cashmere Cat and (briefly) Vona, and shook clear coming into the stretch.  Cost Affective came flying on the outside with a closing run, but J to the Croft had enough to keep his head in front at the wire.
• Larrymoeandcurlin (Sally Bowles (SAF), by London News (SAF)) – Just a week after his last start, Larrymoeandcurlin returned in a 1 1/16 mile maiden special weight at Turfway; he finished 7th beaten 15 1/2 lengths.  His start was terrible; coming out of the gate, Sin Cara bumped into him so hard that Sin Cara’s jockey lost an iron, though managed to stay on the horse.  He settled about a dozen lengths behind the field, but didn’t fire to make up ground.  The three-year-old gelding has now made five starts, three in the last month.  He has never hit the board.  I expect at least another shot in maiden special company at a route distance, given the absolutely dismal start he had here, but if something doesn’t change soon he may need a new surface or some class relief.
• Lynx (Silver Bird, by Lit de Justice) – In his first time on the track in almost two months, Lynx finished 6th beaten 21 1/2 lengths in a 1 1/16 mile maiden special weight on the Gulfstream dirt.  As has been the story at Gulfstream this meet, early speed was good; the same three closely packed horses traded first, second, and third positions the entire race.  Lynx was in the pack, which chased the three leaders from almost half a dozen lengths behind, but never could muster a move to distinguish himself and challenge the front.  The pack fell to over a dozen back from the leading three, and Lynx stayed with it to the wire.  This was Lynx’s second race at Gulfstream at this distance; before that the Ontario-bred had only raced at Woodbine.  I was hoping to see a little better from him given how close he was to Ring Weekend his last out (which was also off another approximately two-month lay), but he just didn’t have it compared to that top echelon.
• Oso Smart (Duchess Zea, by Ascot Knight) – On his March 30 return to maiden special weight company from two tries in maiden claimers, Oso Smart finished 3rd beaten 3/4 length at 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita turf.  He stalked the leaders from a few lengths back going into the backstretch, and took the lead from them as they tired approaching the far turn.  Pantera Rojo moved up to challenge through the far turn, and down the stretch Oso Smart grudgingly gave way.  Life’s Journey’s closing run was enough to get his neck in front of Pantera Rojo and win the race, but Oso Smart was able to continue on gamely enough to repel the rest of the field and hang onto the show.  This wasn’t a win, but it was tougher, grittier, and better than I was expecting to see on a return to maiden specials from two losses in the claiming ranks.
• Palace Malice (Palace Rumor, by Royal Anthem) – This race was already discussed here on Sunday, so I’ll keep this short and sweet.  He came, he saw, he conquered Normandy Invasion and the rest of the field in the New Orleans Handicap (GII).  He has started his four-year-old year with a gritty win in the mile-long Gulfstream Park Handicap (GII), and followed it up with this win by daylight at a mile and an eighth.  Things are looking fantastic for him so far; it’s hard to imagine a better standard-bearer for the Curlin babies on the racetrack.
• Sheikinator (Im a Dixie Girl, by Dixie Union) – On April 3, Sheikinator finished 6th beaten 7 1/4 lengths in an N2L allowance at 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn dirt.  It was his second race off his post-CashCall Futurity layoff.  He was back early, six or eight lengths behind the pace being set by Mysterious Circle and Chairman Crooks, but never made a huge dent in that.  He remained a handful of lengths off the lead throughout.  He never made any serious challenge against the lead, though he was able to pass the tiring leaders and a couple of other tiring horses.  It was a somewhat even run, when he needed a kick — similar in that regard to his fifth place finish three weeks ago in his first race off the lay.  It does seem from his maiden win that he likes to have one late run, but he just hasn’t fired at all in these last three races.  It’s hard to tell whether he needs to try a different style, or find some class relief.
• Woelf Den (Gorgeous Goose, by Mongoose) – On April 3, Woelf Den returned to Aqueduct after two races down at Laurel, in an N1X allowance optional claimer at a mile in the dirt.  The three-year-old colt finished fourth, beaten five lengths.  He stalked along the rail a couple lengths back early, and then went outside to make a move toward the leaders through the far turn.  (Moving out like that seemed baffling — he had the rail, and it would have probably made more sense to stay on that rail and make the move on the stretch instead.)  That being done, he challenged briefly, bore out into the closing Peter Island on the stretch, and didn’t have enough left to challenge the winner, Life In Shambles.  In fact, his bump may have cost Peter Island the win; Peter Island only missed Life In Shambles by a neck.  As for Woelf Den, I’m hoping to see a better ride, with possibly a different jockey, next out.  That seems a questionable proposition, though, as Eddie Castro rode him all three times at Aqueduct before his move to Laurel for the winter.

Racing Soon

• Curlin’s Kid (Lucette, by Dayjur) – Curlin’s Kid is slated to run a maiden special weight at Pimlico on April 6.  He drew the rail in a field of six.  The race is a mile and a sixteenth on the dirt.  This three-year-old colt has run a mile and a sixteenth once before; he finished a well-beaten second.  That race was a maiden special at Laurel back in December.  This will be Curlin’s Kid’s first race at Pimlico.
• Diversy Harbor (Motokiks, by Storm Cat) – The undefeated Diversy Harbor takes her first shot at a graded stakes — and her first past a mile — on April 5.  She drew the 8 slot of 10 in the nine-furlong Providencia (GIII) on the Santa Anita turf.  She has raced twice before, a maiden win at 6.5 furlongs and a win in the China Doll at a mile.  This will be the smallest field this three-year-old filly has faced to date, though the gate draw will be nothing new.  She has drawn similarly outside gates in both of her previous races: the 9 in her maiden win, and the 8 in the China Doll.  Diversy Harbor will be a rematch in the Providencia with the second- and third-place horses from the China Doll, Nashoba’s Gold and Tiz Kissable.
• Flash Forward (Magical Flash, by Miswaki) – This four-year-old filly makes her third start of the year in the Cat Cay stakes at Aqueduct on April 6.  She breaks from the rail.  Her last time out, she finished third in the Top Flight Handicap on March 1, 2 1/2 lengths behind Teen Pauline and just a nose behind Centring.  That race was at a mile and a sixteenth; Flash Forward dials back to a mile on the Aqueduct outer dirt here.  This field is particularly notable because of the horse breaking from the 3 gate: Princess of Sylmar, making her four-year-old debut.  Flash Forward has never faced her before, though she also faces a couple of her nemeses from the New York stakes circuit last year, Wedding Toast and Montana Native.
• Lady of Luck (Lunarlady, by Yes It’s True) – Lady of Luck drew the 5 gate in the field of 7 for the Czaria Stakes.  This race is 6 furlongs over the Sunland dirt on April 5.  This four-year-old filly comes into this race on a two-race win streak: a neck win in a 6.5 furlong AOC at Sunland on February 1, as well as a 2 length win in a 6 furlong N3L allowance at Sunland on December 14.
• Moulin de Mougin (Cambiocorsa, by Avenue of Flags) – April 4, Moulin de Mougin races in an Allowance Optional Claiming at a mile and an eighth on the Santa Anita turf.  With one scratch already inside of her, she will break from the 7 gate as the 8 horse.  This is her first time out since February 9, when she won a 1 1/8 mile N1$X AOC at the same distance over the Santa Anita turf by 1 1/4 lengths.  This four-year-old filly changes from one high-profile jockey to another: Gary Stevens rode her last out, and Mike Smith has the mount this time.
• Please Explain (Lizzy’s Bluff, by Pine Bluff) – Please Explain heads to the post in the Fantasy Stakes (GIII) on April 5, trying to punch her ticket to the Kentucky Oaks.  She only has ten points from her third-place finish in the Fantasy, so she needs to hit the board here.  The Fantasy is 1 1/16 miles: the same as the Honeybee (GIII) where she finished 3rd last out, and just longer than the 1 mile 40 yd. Suncoast which she won at Tampa.  Bug Drayden Van Dyke, who shipped out to ride her in the Honeybee as well, has the mount.
• Wise Minister (Take a Check, by Touch Gold) – Wise Minister drew the 4th post of 7 in an April 6 N1X/N2L allowance, 1 1/16 miles over the Pimlico dirt.  This is the longest distance over which this three-year-old colt has raced so far; his maiden win and his most recent allowance attempt were at a mile, and his other three career starts were at sprint distances.  His last time out, he was fourth beaten 9 1/2 lengths at a mile at Laurel, in a field that featured fellow Curlin baby Woelf Den in second.

Other News

• Ride On Curlin (Magical Ride, by Storm Cat) – Ride On Curlin remains on track for the Arkansas Derby.  He changes jockeys yet again, this time to Jon Court who rode him in his latest workout.  His five-time previous jockey, Calvin Borel, has the mount on Conquest Titan instead.

That’s it for this week.  If there’s a Curlin baby at any level of racing who you think I missed, leave a comment and let me know so I can add them to my list and cover them in future installments of this week in Curlin babies!