Is Big Brown really back?
After a too-close-for-comfort victory in yesterday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., there could be more questions than answers about Big Brown's future.
Yes, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner bounced back from his last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes eight weeks ago. But the win was far from overpowering against six weak rivals who had combined for two graded stakes wins.
Neither trainer Rick Dutrow nor co-owner Michael Iavarone would commit to Big Brown's next race after his 1¾-length victory over Coal Play, but Dutrow all but ruled out the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 23. Both were noncommittal about possible races next month before a planned career-ending run in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita in October.
“I think right now Rick will evaluate him and we'll plan a sensible campaign,” said Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, majority owner of Big Brown. “The Breeders' Cup Classic is the ultimate goal.”
It might not be a realistic goal.
Big Brown has been syndicated for a reported $50 million and will be retired to stud after his final race. The next step would be to take on older horses, perhaps even 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin. But Big Brown had a tough time defeating a weak field of 3-year-olds in the Haskell, and another loss could affect his value as a stallion.
Sent off as the 1-5 favorite with Kent Desormeaux riding, Big Brown covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.31.
Red Giant wins
Red Giant overtook Stalingrad in the final strides to score a neck victory in the $150,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga (N.Y.). John Velazquez rode the Todd Pletcher-trained 4-year-old, who ended a 10-month absence from competition with the win on a rain-softened turf course.
