Curlin wins Stephen Foster Handicap

Jun 15, 2008 - 1:06 AM LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Curlin had little trouble in his in his first North American start this year.

The 2007 Horse of the Year cruised to an easy win Saturday, posting a 4 1/4-length victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Curlin did have to overcome a few tight spots when racing nearest the rail until the top of the stretch. He angled out for an open lane and then soon powered off to win the 27th running of the $1 million event as the 2-5 favorite.

With Robby Albarado aboard, Curlin took the lead after the second turn and was not challenged from there. He covered the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:49.68 and paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10.

"He's so manageable now," Albarado said. "He made the lead turning for home, as he's accustomed to, and went on and proved he's the best horse in the world."

It was the second-largest margin of victory in the history of the race, behind only Street Cry's 6 1/2-length romp in 2002.

Einstein was second and Barcola third.

Curlin, the Steve Asmussen-trained 4-year-old, earned his fifth straight win, including the $6 million Dubai World Cup in his last start in March.

It was Curlin's first race at Churchill since his third-place finish last year in the Kentucky Derby. He now has nine wins in 12 career starts and career earnings of $9,396,800.

"What a special horse he is," Asmussen said. "You know, you are very fortunate to be involved with this sport to begin with, let alone to have an animal as special as he is.