Curlin Continues Four-Year Old Campaign at Churchill Downs Saturday

Curlin, who was the favorite in the Kentucky Derby last year and finished third in the 2007 run for the roses, is back for his second time at twin spires for tomorrow's Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap. The four year old has had tremendous success since his last trip the famed Churchill Downs winning the Preakness Stakes, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Breeders' Cup Classic, and started his four year old campaign by $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup by nearly three lengths earlier this year. Curlin is currently the poster horse for the entire horse racing industry here in America following the upset of Big Brown in the Belmont Stakes and has been inserted as a 3/5 favorite in tomorrows prestigious race which offers a $1,000,000 purse.

The Steve Asmussen trained colt, who delighted fans by returning the the track as a four year old, will be faced with a weight handicap in the race. Curlin will carry 128 pounds in the race. Morning line Second choice selections at 5-1 Einstein will run with 118 pounds while Grasshopper will carry 117 pounds. Asmussen voiced his displeasure at the high weight, with the lowest in the field only carrying 113, and nearly boycotted the race before changing his mind earlier this week.

Cleveland racing fans will see a couple familiar names in the race. 2007 Ohio Derby winner Delightful Kiss will meet 2004 winner Brass Hat in the Grade I race.

Post time for the Stephen Foster Handicap is scheduled for 5:51 and you can wager on the race locally at Northfield Park or Thistledown. The race will be shown HRTV. Here is a rundown on field for tomorrow's race along with the odds and weight that they will be carrying in the 1 1/8 Mile race:

#1 Curlin 3/5 128 Lbs
#2 Delightful Kiss 20-1 114 Lbs
#3 Sam P. 30-1 113 Lbs
#4 Einstein 5-1 118 Lbs
#5 Grasshopper 5-1 117 Lbs
#6 High Blues 20-1 117 Lbs
#7 Red Rock Creek 30-1 113 Lbs
#8 Jonesboro 20-1 114 Lbs
#9 Barcola 20-1 113 Lbs
#10 Brass Hat 8-1 116 Lbs