Curlin's retirement from thoroughbred racing will leave a huge void. Here's the thing - - yes, Curlin lost his final race to Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator. Yes, Curlin wasn't one of the top ten greatest horses of all time.
But he was certainly the best handicap horse that this nation had seen in a long time. Our American stock has started to get worse and worse. Our thoroughbreds just aren't nearly as hearty as they used to be. That makes Curlin's retirement even more bothersome.
Brilliant handicapping writers like Andy Beyer have been saying for years that American racing is on the downturn because of our awful breeding practices. I'm beginning to agree with writers like Beyer. The powerful Arabian stables like Godolphin and now the almost as powerful stables that have cropped up in Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa and Australia, are quickly passing the American racing community in terms of quality of animals.
We're in trouble. Oh, every once in a while a horse with Curlin's ability will come around that the American thoroughbred fan can rally around. But I fear that the times in between that special horse are going to be longer and longer.
Fare thee well, Curlin. And if horses pray, and who's to say they don't, give one to us - - your loyal American thoroughbred racing fans.
We're going to need those prayers if this nation wishes to continue to be the forefront of thoroughbred racing.
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