Curlin

Trainer Steve Asmussen's Curlin was unraced at two. Won a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park in early February by 12 3/4 lengths. In his next start, won the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park by 5 1/4 lengths. Thoroughly outclassed the field, which included Teuflesberg, the Southwest Stakes winner.

Drew away from the field down the stretch in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2) on April 14 and won by a record 10 1/2 lengths.

Curlin didn't win for the first time in his four-race career when he placed third in this year's Kentucky Derby (G1). After a promising start, he seemed to yield to the charging Street Sense who went on to win the race. He didn't yield to Street Sense in the Preakness Stakes, however. Instead, he surged at the wire and emerged as the winner.

Curlin's post position for the 139th Belmont Stakes was 3. He placed second, increasing his earnings amount by $200,000.