It’s Do or Retire for Big Brown in Haskell Invitational

Posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

Not long ago the expected field for the Haskell Invitational was 6 or 7. Not it appears there could be as many as eight or nine 3-year-olds going in Monmouth Park’s premier race on Sunday.

For some reason, Big Brown doesn’t scare away the opposition. In fact, the fewest challengers that took on the son of Boundary were in the Belmont Stakes on June 9 when he finished 9th and last losing for the first time in 6 starts.

The way Big Brown has been training ought to scare way some opposition because the signs point to an excellent outing. On July 26, he breezed six furlongs in a nifty 1:10 4/5 at Aqueduct.

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Big Brown May Face 6 In Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park

Posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Online Horse BettingKentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown is likely to face six foes when he ships to Monmouth Park for his date in Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational.

“If everything goes perfect, I’d like to breeze him 3/8ths on Friday (at Aqueduct) and ship down to Monmouth on Saturday,” said race horse trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., who conditions the colt for IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. “He looks amazing. He’s shiny, he’s happy. He looks as good as he always has.”

Big Brown, a son of Boundary from the Nureyev mare Mien, sports a record of five wins in six starts. His lone loss came last out when he was eased in the Belmont Stakes, ending his bid for the Triple Crown.

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Haskell Field Takes Shape as Big Brown Looks Fit

Posted on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

The 141st Haskell Invitational field is beginning to take shape for the $1 million Grade 1 at 1 1/8 miles.

Big Brown, working well for his comeback race at Monmouth Park since being eased in the Belmont Stakes, is among 33 nominees that include several likely challengers that didn’t perform well in Triple Crown races.

Big Brown has steadily improved while breezing in the mornings at Aqueduct. On Sunday, the son of Boundary went five furlongs in 59 1/5 - his fourth work since June 9 when he finished ninth and last in the Belmont Stakes.

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Favorites Do Well in the Haskell Invitational

Posted on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

Favorites have performed splendidly in the Haskell Invitational, winning 10 of the past 14 years in Monmouth Park’s premier stakes. Six consecutive favorites scored starting in 1994 when Holy Bull returned the lowest win payoff–$2.40.

In all 18 post time choices haven’t disappointed in the 40 horse races. Big Brown likely will be the odds-on choice in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on August 3 at 1 1/8 miles.

“The Haskell is a race (at) a racetrack that I think is more suitable to him, a distance that I now feel comfortable with and it allows us, more importantly, to get another race in between the Breeders’ Cup,” co-owner Michael Iavarone told Associated Press Saturday.

“The race fits his style,” co-owner Paul Pompa Jr. had said earlier. “Monmouth is a speed-favoring track and it’s comparable to Gulfstream Park, which Big Brown is fond of,” referring to his two overpowering wins at the South Florida track, including the Florida Derby.”

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