Big Brown wins Haskell Invitational
August 4th 2008 09:05
Big Brown returned to the racetrack in the $US1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and further added to the mystery of his Belmont Stakes failure with a determined and gutsy effort to win a race in a battle, very different to the ease with which he demolished the (seemingly very average crop of) 3 year olds this season.
(photo: Mel Evans AP)
Starting at a prohibitive 1/5 favourite it was a great relief to IEAH Stables and trainer Rick Dutrow after Big Brown chased hard from the home turn to eventually catch Coal Play, who had kicked on turning and looked very hard to beat. But Big Brown responded to the challenge and after catching Coal Play close to home he moved away to win by 1 3/4 lengths. His smallest winning margin - though winning was the one and only priority this time.
Coal Play was only moderately performed before this race and had only a maiden and allowance win as highlights of his eight-start career. Yet in the Haskell he ran very fast sectionals over the early measures with a half mile in 46.2 and the mile in 1.35. The final furlong obviously much slower (overall 1.48.31) and Coal Play was tiring as much as Big Brown was responding.
Not the 'freak' racehorse that Kent Desormeaux previously guided from barrier to finish post. This was Big Brown climbing the Rocky Steps - more fighter than fleet-of-foot. Admittedly he was coming off a two-month layoff and had finished tailed-off at his last start. Does this race present us with proof of his vulnerability? Or has a new battle-hardened warrior emerged? Perhaps Coal Play will go on to contest and win feature races - making this effort of Big Brown meritorious. After winning it is likely that he will continue to race at least twice more before he is off to stud. His next start should be fascinating.
Big Brown has now accumulated $US3.3 million.
If Big Brown takes no harm from this hard run then the stable will be aiming him towards the Breeders' Cup Classic. I'm anticipating that Curlin will stay at home (on the dirt - or synthetic track if you wish) with the challenges looming now from Big Brown and Henrythenavigator.
In an interesting sidelight, Coal Play is trained by Nick Zito who trained the longshot winner of the Belmont Stakes, Da' Tara. Zito also trained third placegetter in the Haskell, Cool Coal Man.
Here is the video of the 2008 Haskell Invitational:
Big Brown wins Haskell Invitational
(photo: Mel Evans AP)
Starting at a prohibitive 1/5 favourite it was a great relief to IEAH Stables and trainer Rick Dutrow after Big Brown chased hard from the home turn to eventually catch Coal Play, who had kicked on turning and looked very hard to beat. But Big Brown responded to the challenge and after catching Coal Play close to home he moved away to win by 1 3/4 lengths. His smallest winning margin - though winning was the one and only priority this time.
Coal Play was only moderately performed before this race and had only a maiden and allowance win as highlights of his eight-start career. Yet in the Haskell he ran very fast sectionals over the early measures with a half mile in 46.2 and the mile in 1.35. The final furlong obviously much slower (overall 1.48.31) and Coal Play was tiring as much as Big Brown was responding.
Not the 'freak' racehorse that Kent Desormeaux previously guided from barrier to finish post. This was Big Brown climbing the Rocky Steps - more fighter than fleet-of-foot. Admittedly he was coming off a two-month layoff and had finished tailed-off at his last start. Does this race present us with proof of his vulnerability? Or has a new battle-hardened warrior emerged? Perhaps Coal Play will go on to contest and win feature races - making this effort of Big Brown meritorious. After winning it is likely that he will continue to race at least twice more before he is off to stud. His next start should be fascinating.
Big Brown has now accumulated $US3.3 million.
If Big Brown takes no harm from this hard run then the stable will be aiming him towards the Breeders' Cup Classic. I'm anticipating that Curlin will stay at home (on the dirt - or synthetic track if you wish) with the challenges looming now from Big Brown and Henrythenavigator.
In an interesting sidelight, Coal Play is trained by Nick Zito who trained the longshot winner of the Belmont Stakes, Da' Tara. Zito also trained third placegetter in the Haskell, Cool Coal Man.
Here is the video of the 2008 Haskell Invitational:
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