Curlin Wins 2008 Debut

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Ticker) -- Curlin, the reigning Horse of the Year, won his 2008 debut Thursday in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy at Nad Al Sheba racecourse. It was a brilliant 4-year-old debut for Curlin, who won in his final preparation for the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 29.

Racing for the first time since winning the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic last October, Curlin romped in Thursday's 1 1/4-mile race, placing 2 1/4-lengths ahead of Familiar Territory. Jet Express was third in the six-horse event. Ridden by Robby Albarado and trained by Steve Asmussen, Curlin captured the biggest win of his banner 2007 campaign at the Preakness Stakes last May.

Curlin also won the Arkansas Derby and Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2007 en route to winning the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year and top 3-year-old male. His accomplishments were even more impressive in that he went unraced as a 2-year-old.