Line-maker gets it wrong; debuting Curl Talk wins in a breeze

One of the toughest assignments for morning line-makers at every track around the country is getting a good handle on first-time starters. The line-maker at Mountaineer Casino and Race Track missed the boat by a mile last night with Curl Talk, a debut filly by Ride On Curlin.

Curl Talk, who turned four on April 2, was the only first-timer in the field of eight for the five-furlong maiden special with a purse of $16,500, a race that was taken off the turf due to rain. Despite three pretty fair works listed at Starting Point Training Center, Curl Talk was listed at 8-1 in the morning line. However, at post time, the filly bred by Lonnie Stokes was on the board as the slight favorite at 2-1.

Luis Batista sent her right to the lead and Curl Talk led through fractions of :22.75 and :47.85 over the sloppy track, reaching the wire three lengths in front even after she ducked in and barely missed hitting the rail at the top of the stretch. She was clocked in 1:01.32, paid $6 and collected a check for $9,570.