Unmatched Wisdom (Cairo Prince) went right to the front for the third time in his career and secured his career first black-type win in the Curlin Stakes.
A standout debuter May 10 over a muddy Belmont Big A mile maiden, where he won by 6 1/4 lengths, he was last seen delivering a similarly eye-catching effort against first-level allowance company at that venue June 22 stretching out to this stakes' distance for the first time.
Quick to the front from the rail after a sluggish break and outfooting a would-be early challenger, the 2-5 favorite coasted along at the head of affairs as Corporate Power (Curlin) and Timeout (Curlin) took up pursuit behind him through :23.58 and :48.37 early fractions. After 1:12.66 posted on the board, the former launched a sustained challenge through the turn and the top pair distanced themselves from the field through the stretch. Getting leg weary but game as they come late, Unmatched Wisdom refused to be denied, and maintained his unbeaten record by a length.
“We were very intent [on getting the lead]. I didn't want to take any chances. He broke just a step slow–probably from standing in the gate for a little bit from the one-hole. Flavien [Prat] had to use him a little bit that first quarter to get there and he probably felt that first quarter a little bit by the wire, but I liked the strategy,” said Chad Brown.
“I told him [Prat] to just keep the silks clean and try and stay out of trouble with this horse and just try to pass the next test. I didn't want such a heavy favorite–although there are some really nice horses in this race, he looked to be the best on paper–to get in a situation where he's trapped in or they're riding against him because of the short field.”
When asked about a potential start in the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24, Brown confirmed it was a target for Unmatched Wisdom. “I'd say so, if he comes out of the race good. He's only run three times, but as he's playing catchup you have other 3-year-olds that are accumulating a lot of races and a lot of workouts, and a little bit of wear and tear. You end up catching horses that are on the other end of the curve and maybe regressing a little bit that started earlier in the year. If he can keep developing and playing catchup and a few of the other top ones regress just a bit, he could be in the mix.”
The winner is full-sibling to two other multiple-winning siblings-Harvey's Princess and River in Egypt. Their dam delivered a yearling filly by Classic Empire and a 2024 full-brother to the trio.
CURLIN S., $130,950, Saratoga, 7-19, (C), 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.70, ft.
1–UNMATCHED WISDOM, 120, c, 3, by Cairo Prince
1st Dam: Glide On By, by Pure Prize
2nd Dam: Divine Lady, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: Divine Dixie, by Dixieland Band
($25,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Estate of Harvey Clarke, Paul Braverman, Sebastian Murat & Steven (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $74,250. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $178,750.
2–Corporate Power, 124, c, 3, Curlin–Road to Victory, by Quality Road. ($925,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Courtlandt Farms (Donald Adam); B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $27,000.
3–Timeout, 118, c, 3, Curlin–Lull, by War Front. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider (KY); T-William I. Mott. $16,200.
Margins: 1, 3, 2 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 6.60, 4.30.
Also Ran: Django, Elephants Ear, Catire Vizcaya.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
3️⃣ starts and 3️⃣ wins! 🔥 UNMATCHED WISDOM stays unmatched with a win in the Curlin Stakes under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/PciCY17VcJ
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) July 19, 2024
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
