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Curlin 135-pound heavyweight against five foes at Nad Al Sheba Thursday |
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Written by Gohorsepower.com
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Tuesday, 26 February 2008 |
 Curlin, the Horse of the Year, will return in his four year-old debut Thursday, February 28, to prepare for the Dubai World Cup on March 29. The field is set at Nad Al Sheba race course in Dubai for Thursday's handicap, the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy, where 2007 Preakness Stakes winner and Breeders Cup Classic champ Curlin will carry a career-high weight of 135 pounds as he races against five challengers each carrying 117 pounds of Thoroughbred balls.
The Jaguar Trophy will run the same distance as the Dubai World Cup, 2,000 meters (almost 10 furlongs, or 1 1/4 miles). Curlin's regular jockey, Robby Albarado, will travel to Dubai to pilot Curlin in Thursday's race.
Curlin's rivals for the Jaguar Trophy:
Imperialista made his first start outside of Brazil last year to win the Group I stakes, the Invasor Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1. Imperialista is owned by Shiekh Majid bin Mohammed al Maktoum and trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
Familiar Territory, also trained by Saeed bin Suroor, carried 131 pounds and won a 2,000-meter handicap by 3 1/4 lengths on February 14th. Familiar Territory is owned by Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed al Maktoum.
Voando Baixo has two third-place finishes this season, most recently in a nearly 1 1/16 mile race at Nad Al Sheba on February 21st.
Engrupido (ARG), trained by the much respected Michael de Kock, and owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum, recently defeated the Bayern Syndicate's Alpacco (IRE) by a nose in a 2,000-meter turf race on Friday, February 22nd.
Filling out the the field are Jet Express, who has won at Nad Al Sheba, but not fared well against graded Group 3 company; and an English Maiden winnner, Arqaam.
Watch and wager on Dubai racing with free PPs at TwinSpires.com.
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