Horse Racing: Gift Horses
Written by playerpress.com, Monday December 08 2008
While there is some contention, Curlin is listed by Equibase as the horse with the most earnings won. Those who contend that the results of off shore races taint the horse’s winnings dispute the totals won in Dubai. But, when it is all said and done Curlin has won over $10.5M.
The 4 year old has been kept busy by his owners, William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr. Curlin is named after Charles Curlin a Kentucky slave who is known for having fought with the Confederates in the Civil War.
The horse was sired by Smart Strike whose blood lines include the 1991 Canadian Triple Crown winner Dance Smartly. Timeform, the racing resource, has named Curlin the number one horse on dirt.
Along with bestowing a questionable name on their horse, the co-owners are currently involved in a Federal trail based on their activities regarding their dispersal of cash settlements to a large number of clients they represented in suits regarding the diet drug fen-phen.
Having claimed they no longer had the money that was due to their clients a judge ruled that over 400 defendants had a stake in the thoroughbred. As this was being decided another stable, Midnight Cry, claimed they had purchased a percentage of Curlin and wanted to have a say in the horse’s future. However, they are being sued by a trainer, Kenneth McPeek who is claiming he is owed a finders fee for securing their rights to the horse.
Oblivious to the follies of man, Curlin continues to run hard and win major stake races. Included on his résumé are wins at the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Dubai World Cup, Stephen Foster Handicap and the Woodward Stakes. Additionally, Curlin has made the Victor’s Circle at the Preakness Stakes and the Breeders Cup Classic. In only two years of competition those are some gaudy stats.
It is easy to see why Curlin was the Co-World Champion and the American Champion for 3 year old males in 2007. He also captured Horse of the Year honors in ’07 edging out Street Smart and Hard Spun.
Chickster may not have the cachet of Curlin, but he comes with a lot less baggage. The 7 year old gelding is the leading horse for wins in 2008. In 14 tries he has finished in 1st place 10 times. For a horse claimed in a stakes race, that is a nice payday. Proving he is not growing bored with winning Chickster won #10 by 7.5 lengths.
Trainer Justin Evans is probably reassessing himself after saying he had no great expectations for the 7 year old when he claimed him in March. That was before Chickster brought home $53.540.00 to go with his 71% winning average. It would appear that Chickster is named after a scrub jay which is a type of bird. To my way of thinking it beats being named after a misdirected slave.
With the year rapidly drawing to a close Chickster has an earnings lead of over $10K on the winnings board. Chickster is one gift horse Evans will never again look in the mouth.
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