Fast racing, great loss highlight Cup Classic Curlin wins, George Washington euthanized following race BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer In the end, not even Mother Nature could dampen the aura and mystique that came with the Breeders' Cup. Below left, jockey Michael Kinane walks off the track after his horse, George Washington, was injured, and later euthanized, during the Breeder's Cup Classic race on the second day of the race at Monmouth Park on Saturday. Above, Curlin sprints down the final stretch on his way to winning the Classic. Nearly 80,000 people from around the world converged on Monmouth Park in Oceanport on Friday and Saturday to experience one of the most anticipated sporting events to ever grace the Garden State. The total two-day wagering reached approximately $147 million, though the attendance and wagering numbers were hampered a bit by heavy rains for most of the day on Saturday, according to Breeders' Cup President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Avioli. This year's Breeders' Cup ran 11 races - three more than in previous years - and was held over two days for the first time. When it was all said and done, racing officials praised the efforts of everyone involved, especially the Monmouth Park employees who worked tirelessly over the past year to make sure the venue would be prepared for the prestigious event. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR "Everyone here was very, very impressed with everyone involved with the event," said Avioli. Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, echoed those sentiments, describing the entire event's running as "flawless." As for the racing, it featured a bit of everything over the two days. With many of the very best horses in the world competing in a series of high-profile races, Monmouth Park featured an electric atmosphere throughout the two days, leaving local racing fans hoping to see the Breeders' Cup return to the storied venue in the near future. The highlight of the meet was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, a Grade 1 race for horses 3 years and older at a distance of 1 1.4 miles on dirt, or in Saturday's case, mud. Though the sun was shining at post time, the track remained sloppy following the almost two full days of rain. The Classic, which is considered by many to be the premier thoroughbred horse race of the year, was a tale of both triumph and tragedy, as Curlin powered his way to a brilliant win, beating Hard Spun and Awesome Gem. However, in the midst of Curlin's glorious romp, the sport lost one of its prized competitors, as George Washington suffered a fatal injury during the race. The Aidan O'Brien-trained 4-year-old looked strong early on, but he soon began to struggle as Curlin pulled away from the pack. Jockey Mick Kinane dismounted his horse in the final turn, with the racecourse's veterinary staff immediately surrounding the stricken colt with the screens. He could not be saved, however, and the decision was made to have him humanely destroyed. On-course veterinarian and equine joint expert Dr. Wayne McIllwraith said George Washington suffered an open fracture of both sesamoid bones. "The decision was made very quickly," McIllwraith said. "The injury was bad, and Aidan O'Brien made the request for euthanization. … Typically these injuries occur in the last part of the race. They are more fatigued, so they have got less support to the joint." "He did well to stay up," said Kinane. "He was brave. He didn't go down. He stayed up on it. He saved me." In his career, George Washington placed in six of his 14 starts, earning over £800,000 in win and place prize money. With his win in the race that was billed as the "War at the Shore", the Steve Asmussen trained Curlin likely locked up Horse of the Year honors, which would mark the fourth straight year that the Breeders' Cup Classic winner claimed that distinction. Curlin, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby, won the Preakness and finished second at Belmont in the three triple crown races, was clearly the best horse at Monmouth on Saturday, using a brilliant stretch run to distance himself from the pack. "It was truly awesome," said winning jockey Robby Albarado. "Everything went perfectly, starting with all the speed up front. It unfolded just the way we wanted, but it also takes a hell of a horse to get this done. Curlin was there for us every step of the way." Asmussen was also quick to give all the credit to the horse. "It's incredible," he said of training his first Breeders' Cup winner. "It's all about Curlin. He's the one who did it. "[The track] was a huge concern," he added. "I was extremely nervous about it, extremely nervous. Robby [Albarado] gave him a chance. He got him on his feet. First time by [the stands], he was carrying Robby nicely and he ran extremely well from there. He is an incredible horse." Curlin, who went off at 9-2 odds and paid $5.40, hit the line at 2:00.6, well ahead of second-place Hard Spun, whose jockey, Mario Pino, had nothing but good things to say about his horse. "He ran an awesome race," he said. "He cruised to the lead easy. Lawyer Ron had some speed, and I wanted to stay in front of him. I tried to go as slow as possible. When we shook Lawyer Ron, I said, 'Great, we still have a chance.' Then Curlin powered on by, but my horse fought to the very end. It was just an awesome race." Larry Jones, Hard Spun's trainer, was also proud of his horse's performance, and added that he wasn't surprised to see Curlin emerge victorious. "I've watched these horses in the holding barn, and Curlin looked the best." Earlier in the Breeders' Cup Turf race, English Channel cruised to the win, much to the delight of owner Todd Pletcher, a New Jersey resident who finally broke his Breeders' Cup drought with the locally owned horse. "He's proved himself an outstanding champion and it's great to see him go out on such a high," Pletcher said. "But to me it means just as much that he has done it at this track which is so dear to me and only 10 minutes away from the house." In other action, Kip Deville captured the Breeders' Cup Mile, while Ginger Punch won the Distaff, Lahudood won the Filly and Mare Turf race, Midnight Lute won the Sprint race, War Pass dominated the Juvenile, and Indian Blessing captured the Juvenile Fillies race. In Friday's action, Nownownow won the Juvenile Turf race, Corinthian won the Breeders' Cup Mile (dirt) race, and Maryfield came with a devastating late burst down the middle of the track to claim the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. With the Breeders' Cup garnering such positive responses from racing enthusiasts across the board, the future of the sport in New Jersey remains very much in debate. A number of state legislators are pushing to get video lottery machines in the state's horse racing venues, in the hope that it would help bolster attendance on a regular basis. With VLMs proving to be a draw at facilities in New York, Connecticut and Delaware, many people feel they would have a similar effect here in New Jersey, because they would also cater to some of the more casual horse racing fans who would appreciate another reason to come to the track. However, the idea has been met with opposition, most notably from Gov. Jon Corzine, who has repeatedly nixed the idea, as well as several casino owners in Atlantic City. Whether the implementation of VLMs would solve all the problems facing the sport here in New Jersey remains unclear. One thing is for sure, however. The sport of thoroughbred racing seemed very much alive and kicking this past weekend at Monmouth Park.