Curlin, Smarty Jones Get Pressure

While 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin, invades Dubai to compete against the world's best, dual classic champ Smarty Jones shows off his first crop.

This season, pressure will be on Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year entering just his second racing campaign at the age of four, as he planes to Dubai to race with the world's best Thoroughbred athletes, and on Smarty Jones, the tough little Triple Crown threat from 2004, as a freshman sire.

Curlin, the golden boy wonder, learned so quickly in his first season last year. Between the Kentucky Derby (third) and the Belmont Stakes (2nd by a nose to the lady, Rags to Riches), he swept the Preakness Stakes. Then he went to the Breeders' Cup fully loaded and thundered through rain and mud like he had the best footing in the world and triumphed beautifully.

Now, Curlin goes to the Dubai World Cup in March to try to capture the richest race in the world. Wonderful! He should go. He belongs. American horses have done well there of late. Go, golden boy!

In 2004, didn't you think Smarty Jones was a shoo-in for the TC title? But a little Bird(stone) said no.

Smarty Jones commands a $100,000 stud fee. For that price, owners expect something special. Smarty's first two-year-olds will perform this season. The little Smartys have been described as tough and hardy, just like daddy. Go, little fellas! Can't wait to see you become winners!

Oh, yes, I swooned over both the dark chestnut and the golden boy.