Today we spell redemption…”C-U-R-L-I-N”

Posted on November 2nd, 2007. Written by Emmett Jones.

Yes, the title of this post was taken from Vince Vaughn in Anchorman…because that movie is great.  Furthermore, yes, I am actually doing a post on horse racing.  No, I don’t believe it either.  I’ve been following this story ever since reading about it on Sports Biz, back in August, but I didn’t want to do anything about it, till there was some resolution.  Curlin, a 3 year old Colt who is trained by Steve Asmussen, will more than likely be named the horse of the year after winning the Preakness Stakes, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and finishing third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont Stakes.  That, on top of his Breeders Cup this past Saturday, means that he had a very impressive year.  Great news for his owners right?  Well, it would be, if some of them weren’t already in jail.  From Sports Biz,

William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham Jr., along with Melbourne Mills, Jr. were ordered jailed yesterday by US District Judge WIlliam Berteslman in connection with a case in which the three are alleged to have defrauded clients out of more than $46 million from fen-phen settlement funds.  The three asked for a postponement in the trial, which the judge granted accompanied by his order jailing the three because “no conditions of release will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendants,” whom he noted could face 20 years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.

So, what happened to all of the people who were cheated by the lawyers? One word…Redemption!  From Darren Rovell,

…a judge in Kentucky ruled today that 400 people have the rightful claim to a piece of Curlin, the horse that won the Preakness Stakes in May and the Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday…Those lawyers owned 20 percent of the horse. Curlin has won $5.1 million in nine races.

Now, granted, 20% of $5.1 million, divided amongst 400 people is not that much money, but sometimes, its the moral victories that matter.  Personally, I’m not really a fan of horse racing, but, looking at all of those victories that Curlin has had over this past year, the sports fan in me can’t helped but be impressed.  So, be proud of your ownership people! regardless of how small it may be.  On the other hand, if you are dissatisfied?  Maybe you can find some horse fans over at Deadspin that would buy your interest. I’ve heard that they have a slight obsession with horses (Barbaro being mentioned over at Deadspin will always equal hilarity).

Deadspin:  Deadspin HOF Nominee: Barbaro

Sports Biz:  Curlin’s Owners Jailed 

The Courier Journal:  Classic proves Curlin a ‘true champion’ 

Sports Biz w/Darren Rovell:  Curlin, The Race Horse:  New Owners in Winner’s Circle 

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