Curlin

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by GBBob

I know I'm in the minority..hell..I'm probably the only one, but I think there is a chance that other factors besides the 20% issues kept Curlin running this year.

1) Certainly Jackson doesn't need the stud fee deal, which, unless a horse is hurt, is the motivating factor for retiring to stud. But what money can't buy is the overall earnings record and I think that was something his ego wanted.

2) His ego also wanted what ESPN and others gave him...the accolades from being the man who bucked the trend and put Curlin on the road. I wouldn't fall over if he kept him running next year for that very reason. Probably won't happen, but for a man who has or can afford every material thing possible,
being on the road with the best horse in the land ( image wise) is a very powerful motivator.

i think he realized he had no shot at getting a stud deal until the legalities are settled (and they should be shortly) so he went after the brass ring-and it worked out for him. but i don't think anything other than having his hand forced is what got him to keep the horse in training, he had no other choice.