US Racing / Graham Cunningham / 25 October 2007 /

Graham Cunningham has all the trackside talk from Monmouth with the big races nearly upon us

Curlin's owners have the Classic all locked up

Don't you just hate it when a prior engagement stops you watching your horse in action? Sometimes work gets in the way. Other times you are away on holiday or caught in heavy traffic.

But the owners of leading Classic contender Curlin - who is currently trading at around 5.5 for the $5m showpiece - have an altogether different reason for not being on hand to see him lock horns with Street Sense and company on Saturday night.

To put it bluntly, they are banged up; in the clink; spending some time in the old Greybar Hotel. Whichever euphemism you favour, it's plain that lawyers William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham (no relation, I hasten to add) will have mixed feelings when the stalls for the Classic burst open.

Will they be gathered round the telly in Boone County Jail rooting for a colt who has made giant strides since making his racecourse debut back in February.

Or will they be ruminating on what will follow when the American legal system decides if they were guilty of milking millions from clients who were engaged in a class action over a diet drug settlement?

Either way, Curlin's trainer Steve Asmussen was talking about the Classic field rather than Gallion and Cunningham when he said "they've been very good all year and have held up their end of the bargain."

And how did he communicate this to the Breeders' Cup media team? Why, by CELL phone, of course.

***

Frankie and Johnny top the bill as the Breeders' hits the high notes

Thursday night in Breeders' Cup week is always Press Party night. Naturally, the organisers are always mustard keen to create a favourable impression and, where possible, a high profile local act is wheeled in to provide the entertainment.

Sadly, luring local boy Bruce Springsteen onto the stage was never on the cards. However, hopes are high that Springsteen's old New Jersey sparring partner Southside Johnny and his Asbury Jukes can live up to the standard of previous Press parties headlined by acts like the Detroit Spinners and Willie Nelson.

Music lovers looking for further fun on Friday can also attend a charity concert by another local boy made good. This time former Four Seasons frontman Frankie Valli - who has also honed his acting skills in the Sopranos - is the crooner in the spotlight.

The man they call "the original Jersey Boy" can be relied on to belt out all the old hits. But hearing that screaming falsetto will set you back no less than $600 a head. Oh What A Night? Oh What A Price more like.

***

Simply Perfect a likely longshot for the Euro team

Recent history tells us that a true Group 1 standard European filly will always warrant considerable respect in the Filly & Mare Turf. The question is, do we have anything of the quality of Islington and dual winner Ouija Board in this year's European quartet?

Timarwa is plainly up against it on Timeform figures, while All My Loving's demanding schedule could be catching up with her based on recent efforts.

Henry Cecil's Passage of Time looks sure to go well after her return to form in France last month, but don't be surprised if Simply Perfect outruns her long price.

Granted, Jeremy Noseda's filly has yet to prove she stays eleven furlongs. However, she's tough and reliable and those who back her at double figure odds might well have the chance to trade her back at much shorter odds rounding the final bend.

***

Coming from behind......it can be done despite the risks

Lastly today comes a knock to the theory that you have to race prominently from the off to have any chance of winning on Monmouth's sharp Turf course.

The diehards who stayed around for race nine on Wednesday's sparsely attended card looked on with interest as War Monger loped along in rear to well past halfway before powering round the outside of the whole field for an emphatic success.

Johnny Murtagh may also find himself with a lot to do when Excellent Art breaks from stall 13 in Saturday's Mile. War Monger's performance shows that Turf races can be won from the rear here, but local veterans still insist that horses with the pace to take up a handy pitch on the tight final bend will hold a crucial edge this weekend.

Horses who act with cut underfoot may well have the edge in the turf races if the rain continues. Wednesday was very wet and Thursday has dawned in similar fashion. Further showers look likely for Friday, while thunderstorms are predicted when the big show gets under way on Saturday.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: