June 16 - After his superb victory at the $6 million Dubai World Cup in March this year, 4-year-old colt and race favorite, Curlin, outdid himself once again by winning the prestigious 2008 $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap on Saturday in Kentucky.

To the delight of the large and rowdy Churchill Downs crowd, the plucky thoroughbred proved that he could perform as well on U.S. soil as anywhere else in the world, after he was ridden to a convincing victory by top-rated jockey, Robby Albarado.

The race 2 to 5 favorite, Curlin left the starting gate at the rail and patiently bided his time under the experienced Albarado. However, after the second turn, the jockey turned up the heat, spurring Curlin into the lead and across the finish line first, with Einstein in second and Barcola in third.

This 2008 Stephen Foster Handicap victory has given Curlin his fifth consecutive win, and seventh victory out of twelve career starts. Incredibly, he has never finished a race below third place. Last year, Curlin finished third in the Kentucky Derby.

However, the colt has proved once and for all that the famed Churchill Downs racecourse is no match for him, with a performance that most horseracing fans who witnessed the race would agree put him in a 'class of his own'.

Said Albarado after the race, 'Curlin was great, actually phenomenal. He is an amazing horse, showing once again his textbook form and racing brilliance. He is undoubtedly one of horseracing's current superstars with a very bright future.'

Curlin paid $2.80 on a $2 bet to win, and his owners got to take home a not-too-shabby $589,000 of the $1 million purse offered by race organizers this year. It was $250,000 more than the usual $750,000 purse, which was offered on condition that at least one Grade I stakes winner ran in the race.

As it happened, there were three in the Stephen Foster Handicap, Curlin being one of them. This recent win has rocketed his career earnings up to a whopping $9.4 million.