Blinkers Off has now been around for almost four years. That means four Arlington Millions, four Kentucky Derbies, four Jim Edgar Illinois Futurities. It also means — for the next twelve days — it’s time for the fourth annual Twelve Days of Curlin Babies!
As always, this is not just a countdown of his progeny’s biggest wins. It’s easy enough, after all, to hear when they sound the trumpets for his graded stakes winners, his million-dollar maiden winners. Instead, these are the ones that, at year’s end, I find to be his most memorable. Some are graded stakes; others happened at more workmanlike levels. Some are wins; others are races that a Curlin baby didn’t necessarily win, but their presence made the race that much more special.
Let’s begin our look back at the best moments of another year in Curlin babies!
#12: Stellar Wind Wins the First Beholder Mile
Last year, Stellar Wind (Evening Star, by Malibu Moon) began her four-year-old campaign in the Vanity Mile (G1). Though Beholder held the John Sadler trainee well at bay that day, Stellar Wind turned the tables in the Clement Hirsch (G1), and once again carried owner Hronis Racing’s silks to the winners’ circle in the Zenyatta (G1).
This year, the Vanity Mile was renamed for Beholder, and Stellar Wind called on all her grit to join its winner’s roll.