Curlin Colt Gets ‘Top Billing’ at Gulfstream

4th-GPX, $42,225, Alw, Opt. Clm. ($75,000), NW1X, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42 3/5, ft. 
TOP BILLING (c, 3, Curlin–Parade Queen {GSW, $419,357}, by A.P. Indy) announced his presence with a “TDN Rising Star” worthy debut going six furlongs in the Laurel slop Dec. 6, then lost nothing in defeat after finishing a heart-breaking second with trouble to the well-regarded Commissioner (A.P. Indy) when stretched to nine furlongs at this level most recently Jan. 3. Todd Pletcher pupil Surfing U S A (Roman Ruler)–a last out seven-furlong maiden winner at the Big A Nov. 30–was briefly favored, but at post-time, it was Top Billing who was supported as the even-money chalk. 
    Devoid of early speed, the chestnut trailed the field in seventh while Surfing U S A set opening splits of :23.88 and :47.23. Pilot Joel Rosario and Top Billing were just biding their time and came charging with an impresive four-wide move on the far turn. Four across the track at the top of the lane, he kept on rolling in the stretch and cruised home to a geared down 2 3/4-length victory over Surfing U S A. The final time of 1:42.66 was less than a second off the 1:41.73 track record set by River Seven in 2013 Harlan’s Holiday S. Top Billing is a half-brother to Untouched Talent (Storm Cat), GSW & GISP, $243,550, the dam of GISW Bodemeister (Empire Maker); and King Gulch (Gulch), SW, $152,732. 
    “That was pretty impressive,” trainer Shug McGaughey offered. “I was watching on the TV and all I could see was his number. He’s learning. I thought this was a powerful race today. He ate the dirt today even though Joel [Rosario] took him out away from it. He told me that wasn’t going to be a problem in the future. I just thought he ran an awful good race today.” 
    McGaughey continued, “The one thing we’re not going to do is overcook him early—that’s not going to happen. We’ll just have to wait and see how he comes out of this. I was a little nervous about running him back in three weeks. But he trained well and came out of it well, but it does show he can do it. This horse has an unbelievably good mind. When he schooled the other day, he was perfect, and he was perfect again today. If we do have to send him somewhere, that won’t be a problem.” 
    Rosario added, “He was the best horse in the race. He always takes himself back a little bit, but when he’s ready to go, he goes. I was very happy with the move he made. He just has such a quick turn of foot and when he’s ready, he gives it to you. He’s an honest horse.” Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $56,835. Click for the brisnet.com chart or VIDEO. 
O/B-W S Farish & E J Hudson Jr Irrevocable Trust (KY). T-Claude McGaughey III.