May 28 - After a scorching training session on Monday at Churchill Downs race course in Louisville, Kentucky, 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin, is looking very good ahead of the 2008 Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade 1) on June 14th, according to his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

In his most grueling workout since his return from Dubai, Curlin made seemingly easy work of six furlongs at Churchill Downs with a not-too-shabby time of 1:12.20, alongside his seasoned fellow 4-year-old workmate, Forty Grams, who finished with the same time.

Said Asmussen after the session, 'I am very satisfied with Curlin's performance and while he wasn't as smooth as he can be when he's perfect, he went really well.' Curlin was put through his paces by exercise rider, Carlos Rosas, under Asmussen's watchful eye.

Most recently, Curlin won the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 29th by a comfortable 7 3/4-lengths. After that, Asmussen gave Curlin a month's rest, until a track session in late April marked his return to the business of training for the Stephen Foster Handicap.

This training has included four recorded breezes, each on a Monday, with two more planned on June 2nd and 9th respectively. According to Asmussen, these breezes constitute the final preparations for Curlin ahead of the much-anticipated 2008 Stephen Foster Handicap.

Widely considered to be the annual highlight of the post-Kentucky Derby calendar, the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap is one of six stakes races scheduled for the June 14th Churchill Downs program, and is expected to attract an impressive crowd.