Saratoga Springs mayor giving Curlin key to the city

[girly]

Saratoga Springs mayor giving Curlin key to the city  
 
By LEIGH HORNBECK, Staff writer The Times Union
Last updated: 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 25, 2008
 
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Mayor Scott Johnson will give the racehorse Curlin a key to the city Saturday, he said today at a press conference in the Winner\'s Circle at Saratoga Race Course.
   
City officials and the New York Racing Association are rolling out the red carpet for the 2007 Horse of the Year. Curlin will run in the Woodward Stakes Saturday and NYRA officials are counting on his presence to bring up attendance at the end of a soggy meet.

Curlin, a long red 4-year-old who has drawn comparisons to Secretariat, has won nearly $9.5 million in purse money at races in Florida, Kentucky and Dubai but has never run at Saratoga.

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi called Curlin a blessing with a big heart. The horse handles pressure well, Blasi said, and seems to eat up the attention he\'s been getting.

``The more seasoned he becomes, he almost plays to it,\'\' the trainer said.

Monday, workers from the city Department of Public Works hung 21 banners in Curlin\'s barn colors, burgundy and gold, along Broadway in anticipation of the Woodward and the last weekend of the meet coming up. Twilight racing, when post time is at 2:45 p.m., is scheduled for Friday along with a family fun festival Sunday.

[jbelfior]

Wanderin Boy....wire to wire in the slop at Saratoga on Saturday.

Next Day\'s Headlines: \" Mayor Changes Mind; gives Key to City to Zito.\"



Good Luck,
Joe B.