Just because Curlin isn’t a 3-year-old anymore doesn’t mean that his racing career is over. The 2007 Horse of the Year carried his success into 2008, winning Saturday’s $6-million Dubai World Cup by a record 7-3/4 lengths over Well Armed and Asiatic Boy.

This was an awe-inspiring performance by last year’s Preakness winner. Curlin (the 2-5 favorite) appeared completely at ease before the race, and remained cool while stalking Well Armed before Asiatic Boy joined in. They were three-wide with a mile down and about a quarter-mile left to go. And then Curlin left his competition in the dust.

Where Curlin races next had yet to be determined at press time. At some point, the stud fees will be too big for owner Jess Jackson to keep him on the track. Until then, the chestnut colt is 7-1-2 in 10 career races and third in career earnings at $8.8 million, behind Cigar ($9.9M) and Silver Charm ($9.6M).