Big Brown wins the 2008 Haskell Invitational
August 3, 2008
The $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) features the best 3-year-olds on the east coast going 1 1/8 miles, and is the highlight of the Monmouth Park racing season. 45,132 were on hand in Oceanport, New Jersey to see Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown make his first start since he was eased in the Belmont Stakes, sending him off as the heavy 1-5 choice in the field of seven. Spend a Buck Stakes winner Cool Coal Man was the 6-1 second choice over Long Branch runner up Atoned, the 8-1 third choice.
Big Brown was quickest out of the gate but Coal Play quickly got in front of him and over to the rail to set the pace, getting fractions of 23.05, 46.59, and 1:10.85 under jockey Joe Bravo. Big Brown stalked the pace 1 1/2 lengths behind and 2 or 3 paths off the rail. At the quarter pole, Bravo asked Coal Play to open up and he did, pulling 2 lengths ahead of the IEAH colorbearer with a furlong remaining, getting the mile in 1:35.20. Desormeaux went to the whip and Big Brown responded, finally getting into gear and passing the pacesetter at the 1/16 pole to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:48.31 over the fast main track. It was a long 4 1/4 lengths back to late-running Cool Coal Man third.
Results chart
On to the undercard stakes - there were 7 other stakes races on Haskell day.
Big Brown catches Coal Play
Winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "He found a new gear and just kept sticking his neck out. I knew he was going to get there. At the top of the stretch that horse (Coal Play) took off, but Big Brown took off after him. He just kept coming, and I knew we'd get him. He made a lead change and showed another gear."
Big Brown circles after the race
Winning trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said, "He showed up today. That other horse ran a huge, huge race. The last eighth, (Big Brown) got himself together and showed us what he's made of. I feel much better than the last time he ran, I’ll tell you that. I’m as happy as I can be with him. It was his first race after pulling up in a race, so how can I not be as thrilled as I am? He could have pulled up again.
He showed that he’s a true racehorse; he got done what he had to do. I’m very proud of him."
Big Brown heads for the winner's circle
Michael Iavarone of ownership group IEAH Stable said, "I thought we were in trouble at the 1/4 pole. Nick Zito's horse ran so big. He kicked away from us and I thought we were in trouble. This was another dimension for Big Brown, he showed his heart and courage. That was a lot tougher than anybody could imagine."
Big Brown in the post parade
Jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "He's back. Big Brown is the best horse I've ever ridden. Today he showed he's a warrior. He's always won his other races with such ease. Today he showed what courage he had. Grade 1's, they don't give them away, and Big Brown earned it today."
Big Brown enters the paddock
Michael Iavarone said, "Let's see what this race took out of him (before deciding what's next). He had to get down on his belly today."
Big Brown heads out to the track
Asked if he would start next in the Travers, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said, "I wouldn't do it, because it looked like he put in one hell of a race today. To run him back so quickly, it might not be in his best interests."
Jockey Joe Bravo said, "It just sucks, it’s a heartbreaker. You do everything completely right and you got to have the best horse come and beat you."
Trainer Nick Zito added, "I thought we had a hell of a shot turning for home. I thought to myself 'We could do this again.' I'm very happy right now. We made (Big Brown) run, that's for sure. But this is good for racing. Coal Play ran a big race."
The 6-1 second choice broke inward then settled back in 6th under jockey Eddie Castro, then advanced between tiring horses on the far turn but was unable to sustain his drive, finishing third beaten 6 lengths. The Nick Zito trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 11 starts, earning $449,531 for owner Robert V. LaPenta, who also owns Coal Play.
August 3, 2008
The $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) features the best 3-year-olds on the east coast going 1 1/8 miles, and is the highlight of the Monmouth Park racing season. 45,132 were on hand in Oceanport, New Jersey to see Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown make his first start since he was eased in the Belmont Stakes, sending him off as the heavy 1-5 choice in the field of seven. Spend a Buck Stakes winner Cool Coal Man was the 6-1 second choice over Long Branch runner up Atoned, the 8-1 third choice.
Big Brown was quickest out of the gate but Coal Play quickly got in front of him and over to the rail to set the pace, getting fractions of 23.05, 46.59, and 1:10.85 under jockey Joe Bravo. Big Brown stalked the pace 1 1/2 lengths behind and 2 or 3 paths off the rail. At the quarter pole, Bravo asked Coal Play to open up and he did, pulling 2 lengths ahead of the IEAH colorbearer with a furlong remaining, getting the mile in 1:35.20. Desormeaux went to the whip and Big Brown responded, finally getting into gear and passing the pacesetter at the 1/16 pole to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:48.31 over the fast main track. It was a long 4 1/4 lengths back to late-running Cool Coal Man third.
Results chart
On to the undercard stakes - there were 7 other stakes races on Haskell day.
Big Brown catches Coal Play
Winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "He found a new gear and just kept sticking his neck out. I knew he was going to get there. At the top of the stretch that horse (Coal Play) took off, but Big Brown took off after him. He just kept coming, and I knew we'd get him. He made a lead change and showed another gear."
Big Brown circles after the race
Winning trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said, "He showed up today. That other horse ran a huge, huge race. The last eighth, (Big Brown) got himself together and showed us what he's made of. I feel much better than the last time he ran, I’ll tell you that. I’m as happy as I can be with him. It was his first race after pulling up in a race, so how can I not be as thrilled as I am? He could have pulled up again.
He showed that he’s a true racehorse; he got done what he had to do. I’m very proud of him."
Big Brown heads for the winner's circle
Michael Iavarone of ownership group IEAH Stable said, "I thought we were in trouble at the 1/4 pole. Nick Zito's horse ran so big. He kicked away from us and I thought we were in trouble. This was another dimension for Big Brown, he showed his heart and courage. That was a lot tougher than anybody could imagine."
Big Brown in the post parade
Jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "He's back. Big Brown is the best horse I've ever ridden. Today he showed he's a warrior. He's always won his other races with such ease. Today he showed what courage he had. Grade 1's, they don't give them away, and Big Brown earned it today."
Big Brown enters the paddock
Michael Iavarone said, "Let's see what this race took out of him (before deciding what's next). He had to get down on his belly today."
Big Brown heads out to the track
Asked if he would start next in the Travers, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said, "I wouldn't do it, because it looked like he put in one hell of a race today. To run him back so quickly, it might not be in his best interests."
Jockey Joe Bravo said, "It just sucks, it’s a heartbreaker. You do everything completely right and you got to have the best horse come and beat you."
Trainer Nick Zito added, "I thought we had a hell of a shot turning for home. I thought to myself 'We could do this again.' I'm very happy right now. We made (Big Brown) run, that's for sure. But this is good for racing. Coal Play ran a big race."
The 6-1 second choice broke inward then settled back in 6th under jockey Eddie Castro, then advanced between tiring horses on the far turn but was unable to sustain his drive, finishing third beaten 6 lengths. The Nick Zito trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 11 starts, earning $449,531 for owner Robert V. LaPenta, who also owns Coal Play.