Curlin vs. Big Brown Not Happening at The Woodward at Saratoga August 30

Posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

The majority owner of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year Curlin, Jess Jackson, has issued a challenge to the connections of Big Brown.

Online Horse BettingRace horse owner Jess Jackson announced Wednesday he will donate $50,000 from the Jackson Curlin for Kids Fund to the non-profit Belmont Child Care Association, Anna House if the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown takes on Curlin in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on August 30.

The challenge by race horse owner Jess Jackson comes on the heels of comments following the Haskell by Big Brown’s trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who said Big Brown was “way better” than Curlin.

“Big Brown’s camp’s recent remarks about Curlin inspired me to offer an incentive to get these two great horses to race at the legendary track at the Spa,” Jackson said. “Both horses are eligible for this race and both have plenty of time to prepare for what would be thoroughbred racing at its very best and in the name of a great cause.”

“This type of competition between horses is exactly what Thoroughbred racing needs–an event that introduces the excitement and competition of racing to a broader audience. Imagine Horse of the Year Curlin racing against Derby Winner Big Brown, on a legendary track,” Jackson continued. “I would love it, the fans would love it, and the horses would love it. ”

Micahel Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables, was not up taking Jackson’s challenge but issued one himself.

“I have a better offer. We’ll donate $250,000 to various charities if Curlin meets us in the Breeders’ Cup,” Big Brown’s owner Michael Iavarone said. “We strongly feel that championships should be decided at the Breeders’ Cup and that in order to give both horses the proper time to prepare for each other, we believe the race we meet in should be on racing’s biggest stage. It also would allow horses from Europe an opportunity to race against us and prove who the best horse in the world is. You’re not going to prove it in a four-horse field in the Woodward. You’re going to prove it in a full field in the Breeders’ Cup. That’s where the champions have been decided almost every year.”

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"Curlin vs. Big Brown Not Happening at The Woodward at Saratoga August 30" was posted on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 10:03 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Comments For "Curlin vs. Big Brown Not Happening at The Woodward at Saratoga August 30"

  1. Thursday, August 14th, 2008 10:00 pm By steve berg

    This seems like a classic case of BB and co. dodging the showdown everyone wants to see: showdown at the spa!

    If these two misfits, Dutrow and Iavarone, weren’t concerned with losing to the best horse in the world, Curlin, they wouldnt be postponing the inevitable until November!

    However, with stud fees, purses to prey upon, and all around hype and publicity dictating crucial decisions, one has to question whether the Iavarone type management is the next “Don King” style of horse racing.

    Curlin, on the other hand, takes on all challenges, on all surfaces, distances and tracks. He entertains and performs for racing fans without hesitation. His trainer/owner as well as jockey thrive on the pure enjoyment of the sport and its fans.

    If these two never meet, it may well be the destiny Curlin deserves!

    Steve Berg, West Palm Beach/ Saratoga Springs

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