“He worked awesome.”

This was the critique by assistant trainer Scott Blasi after reigning Horse of the Year Curlin turned in an effortless five furlong breeze in 1:01.80 on a breezy Monday morning over the Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga Springs.

Heavy rains on Sunday left considerable moisture in the track, so Blasi decided to wait until after the renovation break to work Curlin.

“I told them what I wanted to do, and they made it happen,” Blasi said of the track maintenance staff, which was able to squeeze most of the moisture out and have the track harrowed by the time Curlin walked on at 7:46 am. “They get the star of the day.”

With regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas aboard, Curlin worked along the inside of stablemate Hawaii Calls, who was kept to task by Shaun Bridgmohan to remain close.

Curlin finished the work a shade more than a neck in front of Hawaii Calls while covering the final quarter-mile in :24.

“He went beautiful,” said Rosas.” Nice and smooth, and he galloped out decent.”

Curlin will remain in Saratoga for a final work next Monday before shipping to Belmont Park for the Sept. 27 Jockey Club Gold Cup, a race he won last year.