Big Brown to race in the Haskell

Jun 20, 2008 - 12:39 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Big Brown's next race will be at the $1 million Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park in New Jersey on August 3, according to a report on the Daily Racing Form's web site Thursday.

Racing with a repaired quarter-crack in his left hoof, Big Brown finished last at the Belmont Stakes on June 7, spoiling his bid to become the only the 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 30 years.

Sensing Big Brown did not have a chance to beat the 38-1 long shot Da'Tara, jockey Kent Desormeaux eased up on the three-year-old Colt with a quarter-mile to go, making him the first Triple Crown hopeful to finish last at the Belmont.

Big Brown was given a clean bill of health during a post-race veterinary examination and now will look to capture the Grade 1 Haskell.

"The Haskell's clearly a first target right now," IEAH Stable president Michael Iavarone told the Daily Racing form.

Iavarone also told the web site that he had specific reasons for choosing the Haskell over the upcoming Jim Dandy Stakes at the end of July.

"We're trying to avoid certain things that happened in the Belmont," he said. "We're trying to avoid the heat; it's a lot more hot and humid (at Saratoga), it's a lot cooler down by the Jersey Shore. More importantly is the surface. It's a lot tighter race track, more conducive to his style."