Originally published Monday, August 4, 2008 at 12:00 AM
PrintHaskell Invitational | Big Brown makes bounceback victory
After a too-close-for-comfort victory in Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, there could be more questions than answers about Big Brown's future.
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MEL EVANS / AP
Kent Desormeaux and Big Brown (4) race past Coal Play to win the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. The victory raised Big Brown's career earnings to $3,314,500.
OCEANPORT, N.J. — Is Big Brown really back?
After a too-close-for-comfort victory in Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, 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 no, the win was far from overpowering against six weak rivals who had combined for two graded stakes wins.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown shot to the lead in the 1-1/8-mile Haskell, but Coal Play quickly took over and led into the stretch in front of a cheering crowd of 45,132. The Nick Zito-trained colt dug in under local favorite Joe Bravo but could not hold off Big Brown's rush to the wire.
"I was concerned at the three-eighths pole and it looked like we were beat turning for home," trainer Rick Dutrow said. "But he got down on his belly and he won, though."
Added Desormeaux: "He found a new gear and just kept sticking his neck out. ... Today, he showed he's a warrior."
Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Big Brown won by 1 ¾ lengths and finished in 1 minute, 48.31 seconds.
Big Brown returned $2.40 for a $2 win bet.
Neither Dutrow nor co-owner Michael Iavarone would commit to Big Brown's next race, 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.
"I think right now Rick will evaluate him and we'll plan a sensible campaign," said Iavarone. "The Breeders' Cup Classic is the ultimate goal."
Other races
• Black Mamba defeated I Can See by a half-length to win the $400,000 John C. Mabee Handicap at Del Mar after being trapped along the rail until deep in the stretch. Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Black Mamba ran 1-1/8 miles on the turf in 1:47.11 and paid $3.80, $3 and $2.40 as the odds-on favorite.
• Red Giant overtook Stalingrad in the final strides to score a neck victory in the $150,000 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga Race Course. Red Giant ran 1-1/16 miles in 1:41.93 and paid $10.60.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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