Following the news Monday that Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) would run in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Nad al Sheba Mar. 29, trainer Steve Asmussen added a new wrinkle Tuesday, confirming that the strapping four-year-old is being aimed for a 2000-meter handicap race Feb. 28 to serve as a prep for the course-and-distance World Cup 30 days later. “I love the month between races, a la the [GI] Jockey Club Gold Cup and the [GI] Breeders' Cup Classic,” the conditioner explained. “The quarantine stuff will be out of the way and he'll have a month to get ready for the big race.” Curlin breezed seven-eighths of a mile Tuesday morning in 1:25 1/5, and is scheduled to depart his Fair Grounds base Feb. 15 with arrival in Dubai set for the following morning. Assistant trainer Scott Blasi will supervise Curlin's training in the desert.
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