TheHorsesForSale.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Churchill Downs racing officials have more than five weeks to hustle horses for the Stephen Foster Handicap, but all that time still might not be enough to get a field of much size.

That's because Curlin, the reigning Horse of the Year, is tentatively being pointed to the June 14 Foster, and who wants to run against him?

"Having a horse like Curlin is great, but it sure does make it tough to get anybody else," said Donnie Richardson, senior vice president of racing at Churchill.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday at Churchill that he is "possibly, hopefully" intending to run Curlin in the Grade 1, $750,000 Foster, which would mark the colt's first start since his smashing victory in the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 29. Curlin had his first timed workout since the World Cup when he breezed an easy half-mile in 52.20 seconds here Monday.

"He'll go another slow five-eighths next Monday," said Asmussen. "He's been galloping great. We're going to keep him on a regular schedule. I just want to take it easy and make sure I avoid doing anything too much too soon with the old boy."

Curlin, owned primarily by the Stonestreet Stables of Jess Jackson, has earned more than $8.8 million, a little more than $1.1 million shy of Cigar's all-time record of nearly $10 million. Asmussen said nothing beyond the Foster is set, and it is possible the colt may not run in October in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, which he won last fall. Asmussen said the Arc de Triomphe and/or the Japan Cup are being kicked around as alternative races so as to showcase Curlin in other parts of the world.