Big Brown Triple Crown . com

Buried in an article by Joe Drape in the New York Times is a mention that Big Brown may run in the Haskell at Monmouth Park instead of the Travers at Saratoga. Iavarone sited the deserved reputation that Monmouth is a tight and fast track and commented that he knew he would get favorable conditions there. This was part of his series of comments blaming the slower than normal Belmont track for Big Brown's loss. The Haskell will be run on August 3rd for a purse of $1 million. The track also may provide a participation fee. It is a 1 1/8 mile race for 3 year olds held at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. It was the race that Curlin ran as his first race after a defeat in the Belmont Stakes in 2007. Curlin was beat in last years Haskell by Any Given Saturday. The decision to run Curlin in the Haskell last year was mostly due to the fact that the 2007 Breeders Cup was to be held at Monmouth and his connections wanted him to get a prep on that surface. the 2008 Breeders Cup Classic, which Big Brown is ultimately pointed towards will be run at Santa Anita Race Track in Los Angeles on October 25th. Also worth noting was that Iavarone had mentioned on a few occasions before the Belmont Stakes that he has always wanted to run a horse in the Travers, making this decision even stranger. Could this simply be Iavarone's way of sending a message to the NYRA about his frustration with the condition of the Belmont Track on Saturday?

New York Times (subscription) - Joe Drape: Two Opinions of Desormeaux’s Ride of Big Brown

In fact, Iavarone said that he was now considering running Big Brown in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park rather than the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. The Haskell, which will be run Aug. 3, offers a $1 million purse, a potential participation fee and a track known to be tight and fast. “I know we’d get favorable conditions on a track that is more to our liking,” he said. “I don’t want Big Brown to get on another racetrack he doesn’t like.”......more

Suffolk Downs race track is offering a $1 million participation bonus and $5 million purse if Big Brown and Curlin enter the Massachusetts Handicap undefeated and face off against each other on September 20th in East Boston. The race is 1 1/8 miles and carries a purse of $500,000. The additional purse money would be funded by Coastal Development LLC, a company controlled by Richard T. Fields, Suffolk's biggest shareholder.

Suffolk Downs Press Release: $5 MILLION PURSE FOR MASSCAP IF BIG BROWN FACES CURLIN IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS

...."Big Brown and Curlin are regarded as the two best thoroughbreds in the world and racing fans would like nothing more than to see them go head to head," said Fields. "If they are to square off, we feel that a $5 million purse is a great incentive and what better place than at Suffolk Downs in the city of Boston, the sports capital of the world."...more

Suffolk Downs in East Boston will offer a $5 million purse for this year’s Massachusetts Handicap if Big Brown sweeps the Triple Crown and both he and the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin remain unbeaten in 2008 and agree to face each other......more

IEAH President Michael Iavarone confirmed today that all involved are expecting to run Big Brown in Breeders Cup Classic, despite great speculation that he will be retired after the Belmont Stakes. The anticipation of a Curlin vs. Big Brown race would certainly catch the attention of the racing world. Iavarone also hopes that it will help deflect attention away from his less than clean past. He also took the opportunity to point out that everyone was "looking for garbage," but no one was discussing all of the good that IEAH has done in the last few years including charity gifts and the building of a veterinary Hospital.

NTRA.com - Steve Haskin (Blood-Horse): Iavarone: Big Brown will race past Belmont

...“Everybody thinks we’re going to retire him, but we’re going on,” Iavarone said. “I’ve already spoken to everyone involved and we’re going to give racing a shot. We’re definitely going to point him for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I). I just don’t know if Curlin is going to want to run against us or not on a synthetic surface.”.....more

Rick Dutrow has been quoted a few times referring to his horse running in the Travers and then The Breeders Cup Classic after that. The Classic would likely feature a showdown with 2007 Horse of the Year, Curlin. Curlin's trainer Steve Asmussen has responded with some very postitive comments about his own horse and some doubts about Big Brown's chances.

NTRA.com - Marty McGee (DRF): Curlin vs. Big Brown: Could it happen?

The possibility of a dream race between Curlin and Big Brown already has them talking - and not just on the rumor mill. Steve Asmussen, the trainer of Curlin, said he has read a quote attributed to Rick Dutrow, the trainer of Big Brown, regarding a possible matchup. Dutrow, in the Friday editions of Daily Racing Form, said a race between the two "would be good for racing, it would be good for us, it wouldn't be so good for them.".....more