Even the lucky charm didn’t work

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Barbara Banke, wife of Kendall-Jackson Winery founder Jess Jackson and fellow owner of much of Stonestreet Stables thoroughbred racing stock, was ready in all ways for Saturday’s big Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

She had on her lucky pin, the broach with a horse on it that has been there every time for superstar Curlin’s races. The pin, as well as Curlin’s strong legs and Steve Asmussen’s expert training, have brought Team Curlin a North American record $10.2 million in winnings since they purchased the horse Feb. 6, 2007.

‘One time, I got on our plane to head to a race,’ Banke says, ‘and realized I didn’t have the pin. They held the plane and made me go back to the farm to get it.’

That was before last year’s Arkansas Derby. Banke arrived wearing the pin, and Curlin won.

But the magic ended Saturday at Santa Anita. The pin was in place, but Curlin finished out of the money for the first time in his 16-race career.

-- Bill Dwyre

Trainer Steve Asmussen and Barbara Banke field reporters’ questions after Curlin finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press