Curlin is in California. The champion four year-old is getting acquainted with the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita. No commitment has been made to go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. There is every indication, however, that Curlin will defend his Classic title. After all, a $3,000,000 winner’s share is too good to pass.

Steve Asmussen, Curlin’s trainer, said, “he (Curlin) came out of the Gold Cup in great shape. He will work at Santa Anita. We’ll see how he handles the surface.”

The $450,000 purse in the Jockey Club Gold Cup took Curlin’s earnings to $10,246,800. Cigar is in second place. The Jockey Club is a ‘you win and you’re in’ race. Curlin, therefore, has a berth in the BC Classic.

That three parts of a length score on Saturday at Belmont did not impress the pundits. Racing Post called it ‘lacking in brilliance.’ I believe that good horses just do enough to win. Brilliance is not winning by wide margins.

Jockey Robbie Albarado was pleased. “I’m sure this record will be broken one day but it will take a helluva horse. It was emotional. The bar is set every time but he exceeds our expectations. He gave me that ‘good feeling’ and I was always in control.”

Zenyatta kept her unbeaten record intact by winning the Grade I (turf) Lady’s Secret at Santa Anita on Saturday. Zenyatta beat Hystericalady with ease. Zenyatta has not been tested yet and she will be a warm choice in the BC.

John Velasquez rode his 4,000th winner on Sunday on a muddy track at Belmont Park. Rogue Agent was Velasquez’s ride. Now 36, Velasquez has a lot of productive years ahead.

“As you get closer to a big number, it seems harder and harder to get there. This was a $10,000 claimer but it means a lot to me. Every one of them is special,” Velasquez stated.

Another milestone was reached at Santa Anita on Sunday when Garrett Gomez won his 3,000th race. Hyperbaric, Gomez up, scored in the $200,000 Oak Tree Mile.

Pat Valenzuela  battled substance abuse as he rose through the ranks to be one of the finest riders in America. He has been in and out of hot water. The California Horseracing Board withdrew Valenzuela’s license and made it permanent. Pat Valenzuela, 44, now rides in Louisiana.

There has been no criticism of Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride track after the first day’s races were run. Six races were run on the new surface. Jockey Rafael Bejarano won three races, two of them on Pro-Ride. “It felt good. It is very fair and it’s consistent, Bejarano said.

“It has a bounce and it is good. I am happy,” jockey Aaron Gryder expressed satisfaction. Gryder rode the favoured Well Armed to victory in the Grade I Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita. Well Armed now has a place in the lineup for the BC Classic. Trainer Eoin Harty, in addition to Well Armed, will have another runner in the Classic. It is Colonel John, winner of the Travers at Saratoga.

“Well Armed is much easier to ride now. He was off the bridle early and the reins were dangling. He uses his energy when I call on him, “exulted jockey Gryder.

Pepper’s Pride, twice scratched when going for her 17th consecutive win, will take her chances in an allowance event at Zia Park on Saturday. Zia Park is in New Mexico. The race is over 1200 metres. Citation, Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams have 16 wins. Pepper’s Pride’s connections are hoping for a fast track. The mare has never run on a sloppy track.

Southwell and Warwick have flat racing cards on Tuesday in England. Sedgefield has a jumps program. Curragh races in Ireland.