A sloppy sealed main track at Monmouth Park didn’t keep Curlin from his date with destiny, a 4 1/2-length victory over Hard Spun in the 24th running of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at the generous odds of 4.40-1 with jockey Robbie Albarado. The son of Smart Strike, Curlin became the principal property of Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and set a North American record of $10,501,800 when his career finally ended. Victories included the 2008 Dubai World Cup. Curlin won Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008 as well as 3-Year-Old Male and Older Male those seasons. Originally trained by Helen Pitts, Curlin won nine stakes under the tutelage of trainer Steve Asmussen, including the 2007 Preakness and two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Originally purchased for only $57,000, Curlin finished fourth in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic before being retired to stud at Lane’s End Farm in Lexington.