Jockey Club Gold Cup up next for Curlin

Wire, Special Reports

Curlin will get his chance to become Thoroughbred racing's richest horse later this month in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

The 2007 Horse of the Year, fresh from a victory in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, has earned $9,796,800 with 10 wins in 13 career starts. The record of $9,999,815 is held by Cigar.

Curlin's next start was announced Thursday by Stonestreet Farms, owned by Jess Jackson.

The Gold Cup is Sept. 27, with a winner's purse of $450,000. The 4-year-old Curlin won last year's edition and would be the first to win the race in consecutive years since Skip Away in 1996-97.

Kip Deville racing Sunday

Kip Deville, winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Mile at Monmouth Park, is expected to be a heavy favorite in a field of eight for Sunday's Grade I, $1 million Woodbine Mile at Woodbine Racetrack.

Trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., Kip Deville, the top-ranked turf miler in North America, is unbeaten in his last three outings, including the Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland in April and the Poker Handicap at Belmont Park in July. The last time he tasted defeat was when he finished second in last year's Woodbine Mile.

Lava Man in Georgetown

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility based in Georgetown, announced Thursday that Lava Man will be permanently pensioned at its 92-acre Dream Chase Farm.

STD Racing Stables and Jason Woods, who jointly own Lava Man, agreed earlier this week to send him to Old Friends, and arrangements have been made for his arrival on Sept. 16.

Trained by Doug O'Neill, the 7-year-old gelding was retired in July because of unfavorable front-foot X-rays. He ended his career with more than $5.2 million in earnings and seven Grade I wins, a number unparalleled among California breds.