ARCADIA, Calif. - Curlin will have a 5-furlong workout on Santa Anita’s synthetic surface between races Monday in another step toward determining whether he will run in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 25. The reigning Horse of the Year will run in company with Hawaii Calls, another of trainer Steve Asmussen’s horses, between races four and five. “Our biggest concern with Curlin is the difference in the way the track plays between morning and afternoon,” assistant trainer Scott Blasi said. “We’re not looking for anything real fast.” Beyond Monday’s drill, Blasi said, “Everything else with his training will be routine. That’s what we’re looking for right now.” Asmussen is expected to fly in from his Texas base to oversee Curlin’s workout, as he did this past Monday when Curlin drilled a half-mile in 52.80 seconds. The defending BC Classic winner galloped a mile Wednesday. A decision on whether Curlin will compete against Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown and some of Europe’s top horses in the Classic must be made soon since pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup will be announced Oct. 16. In other Breeders’ Cup news, Casino Drive was on the synthetic track at Hollywood Park Wednesday and will probably train up to the Classic, said Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for the Japanese horse’s owner. Casino Drive, unbeaten in two starts, has not raced since winning the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 10. A stone ...
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