Ride On Curlin Returns Thursday at Oaklawn

Trainer Billy Gowan had several options for the 4-year-old debut of Ride On Curlin, but he decided to take what he believes is the path of least resistance—a second-level allowance sprint Jan. 15 in the ninth race at Oaklawn Park.

"He's eligible for the condition," Gowan said after watching Ride On Curlin gallop 1 1/4 miles Jan. 13 under regular exercise rider Bryan Beccia. "He's been off a long time, so I didn't have to train him too hard to get him fit to go short. Plus, he set a track record going 5 1/2 (furlongs), so he's pretty fast, anyway. This seemed like a good spot back for him."

After being eased in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Ride On Curlin was freshened before returning to training in late October. The Belmont was part of a grueling seven-race campaign in the first half of 2014 for Ride On Curlin, who also ran second in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and Arkansas Derby (gr. I), third in the Rebel (gr. II) and Southwest (gr. III) and seventh in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

The son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin   began 2014 by winning an entry-level allowance sprint at Oaklawn. In his second career start, Ride On Curlin—as a 2-year-old—ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03 to set a track record at Ellis Park in Kentucky.

Gowan, a former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, said Ride On Curlin has flourished physically since last winter.

"Going from 3 to 4, he should grow," Gowan said. "And he did. He grew a lot. When I turned him out, he just really filled out."

Owner Daniel Dougherty of Louisville, Ky., who reportedly turned down a seven-figure offer for Ride On Curlin as a 2-year-old, said he is anxious to see his colt return to action.

"I'd like to see him win," said Dougherty, who has traveled to Arkansas to watch all of Ride On Curlin's races. "But, Hoppertunity didn't win the first time out and came back to win two big stakes races. You just don't know. Commissioner got beat last week. I just want to see him run good, but I certainly wouldn't mind getting a check."

Gowan said Thursday's race could serve as a prep for the $100,000 Essex Handicap Feb. 14 or the $250,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) March 14. The major spring target, Gowan said, is the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) April 11.

"The ultimate goal is to win a grade I with him," Gowan said. "That's what I would really like to do. Just one step at a time."

Jon Court has the call on Ride On Curlin, who is scheduled to break from post 6 in the 12-horse field.

Approximate post time for Thursday's ninth race is 4:48 p.m. (Central).