Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin took the lead entering the stretch and rolled to an impressive4 1/4-length victory in the $1-million Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Longshot Barcola jumped out to the early advantage, leading another longshot, Sam P., through moderate early fractions of :25.01, :49.28, and 1:13.41 for the first six furlongs. Curlin began making his move rounding the second turn and Barcola continued to lead after a mile was completed in 1:37.39. From that point on, it was no contest as Curlin rolled to the front and drew off for an easy victory.

Sent off as the heavy 2-5 favorite under jockey Robby Albarado, Curlin was making his first start since winning the March 29 Dubai World Cup. The Steve Asmussen trainee was saddled with top weight of 128 pounds, conceding 10 pounds to Einstein, the second high weight at 118.

The winner’s share of $589,000 from the Stephen Foster Handicap’s record $1-million purse improved his career earnings to $9,396,800, third on the all-time list behind Cigar, who remains the career leader with earnings of $9,999,815, and Skip Away’s $9,616,360.

The win was the ninth in 12 starts for Curlin, a son of Smart Strike–Sheriff’s Deputy (by Deputy Minister) who races for Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stables. In addition to the World Cup and Stephen Foster, Curlin has victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Preakness Stakes, Arkansas Derby, and Rebel Stakes to his credit.

(Originally published at BloodHorse.com.)