Curlin: High on Life

Curlin is off the juice and set for his first turf test in the Man O' War on Saturday (after a license was granted to the receiver now handling the holding company for his minority owners, rather than to the indictees or their partners). (Majority) owner Jess Jackson doesn't mince words: Jackson told the subcommittee that Curlin demonstrated that a horse could run without drugs."Not that he didn't in the past, but we changed that," he told Congress in his testimony. Trainer Steve Asmussen (apparently 'on notice' regarding the whole drug situation -- but will he make Stephen Colbert's On Notice board?) is not expecting anything like a walkover on Saturday: "If we can establish Grade I form with him in the Man o' War, then he'll go to Chantilly," Asmussen said. Curlin would prepare at the ancient training center north of Paris for the 1 1/2-mile Prix Foy on Sept. 14 at Longchamp. "We do expect a Curlin race Saturday, but there are questions out there. We don't want to kid ourselves about his turf form if we're going to try the Arc. I think we're going to get a gauge of his turf ability, but even if all goes well, we'll still have a lot to do." Here's hoping for an encouraging effort; the Prix Foy would be the next stop if all goes well. Luckily ESPNews will be televising the event, and I join Dana in praising the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that made it possible. A brief, sad segue before we discuss this weekend's Del Cap – former 2-year-old champ Vindication is dead at age 8 after complications from colic. I admit I thought he was over-rated as a racehorse and certainly didn't think much of his retirement at 2, but it's a shame nonetheless. In better news, Del Cap weekend is almost upon us. Proud Spell will likely return on Saturday in the Delaware Oaks and Unbridled Belle goes for a repeat win on Sunday in the big race. If your only experience of live racing is a Breeders' Cup day or Triple Crown race, I encourage you to join me at Delaware Park on Sunday; it's never too crowded, there's plenty of shade and/or air conditioning, the paddock is lovely and while the food isn't much to speak of, the bathrooms work. Check back tomorrow for more on the Delaware Oaks and the Delaware Handicap.