Big Brown comes to Monmouth, takes care of business
Derby, Preakness winner outdistances field at Haskell Invitational
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above: Jockey Kent Desormeaux and Big Brown (far right) lead the early action in the 2008 $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport on Aug. 3. Below: Some of the 45,000-plus fans taking in the action.

One question prevailed in the minds of more than 45,000 racing fans at Monmouth Park Sunday — will Big Brown make the huge comeback so many were hoping for by winning the Haskell Invitational? The answer was yes.

"He showed his true class," rider Kent Desormeaux said.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was put to the test, catching Coal Play when it mattered, in the last eighth of a mile. Coal Play, with Joe Bravo aboard, led the seven-horse field for most of the race.

"This is the very reason we race here," Desormeaux said. "It's because he likes a fast track, and unfortunately, that guy in front of us, he didn't wait for us. Right at the apex of the turn, Joe asked him, I saw him ask him … and he took off. I had to go get him."

For Desormeaux, who had endured criticism after he pulled the horse up during the last quarter mile of the Belmont Stakes, the victory was sweet.

After signing autographs for fans in the clubhouse earlier in the day's 14-race card, Desormeaux told Greater Media Newspapers he was "anxious" about the big event, and the look on his face agreed.

"I'm looking forward to it … I'm excited to get with Big Brown again," Desormeaux said, adding, "[There would be] nothing like a win to sweep that Belmont under the rug."

Both horse and rider redeemed themselves in the $1,000,000 Grade I Stakes, finishing in 1:48 1/5.

Nick Zito, trainer of both Coal Play and Cool Coal Man, who ran third with Eddie Castro riding, expressed confidence in both horses prior to the race. At the same time, like so many others, he seemed to have a hunch that Big Brown had it in the bag.

"It's going to be an exciting race," Zito said. "Obviously, there's a lot of interest in Big Brown. I think both the horses will run well, that's all we can hope for. If something happens like at the Belmont, we'll be there."

Zito was one of the winning connections for Belmont winner Da' Tara, who went off at 38-1 with Alan Garcia riding.

Neither horse needed a Belmont rerun to finish in the money, but Coal Play's performance was not enough to match that of the 1-5 favorite colt in the end, who stole the race by 1¾ lengths.

"I think coming … back like that at the last quarter of a mile shows what a great horse he is," said one of Big Brown's owners after the race. "Coal Play ran a super race, but Big Brown — what can I say? I love him."

He is, by far, not the only one. Retired Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jorge Velazquez returned to Monmouth for the big day, signing autographs for fans and rooting for Big Brown. Like Desormeaux, Velazquez almost took the Triple Crown, winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1981.

As Monmouth's main event approached, throngs of fans flocked around the paddock, staking out spots to catch a glimpse at the star horse even before the previous race went off. When Big Brown made his first appearance, the sea of onlookers roared.

"I was smiling in my belly," Desormeaux said of the moment. "I had this [expletive]- eating grin on. That was awesome."

The ovations just continued as Big Brown and his rivals circled the paddock. Paying homage to the horses, and to the Jersey Shore and one of its local legends at the same time, Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" rang out over the mounting excitement.

By the time Desormeaux was urging Big Brown on to victory, the cacophony of the crowd became a singular thunder. As the jock, who also celebrated his 5,000th win last week, dismounted and made his way into the packed winner's circle, he said he felt "like a winner."

It was a far cry from trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s sentiments in June after the Belmont, when he told the Daily Racing Form, "I feel like a loser right now, and I don't know why."

Dutrow was critical of Desormeaux's decision to pull Big Brown out of the race at the time, but Desormeaux defended his decision, saying the horse broke badly from the gate and was not going to have a chance.

The controversial move made Big Brown the first horse vying for the Triple Crown to finish last since the Belmont's inception in 1867.

Despite their differences of opinion about Big Brown's Belmont run, Desormeaux and Dutrow made amends and made good with the winning horse.

There were a lot of other winners in the house, with betting reaching an all-time high for both the event and for single-day wagering at the track, totaling $4,257,409 and $17,642,954 respectively. The numbers were also record-breakers for pari-mutuel horse wagering throughout the state.

Big Brown is owned by International Equine Acquisitions Holding Inc. (IEAH) in partnership with Paul Pompa Jr., Gary Tolchin and Andrew Cohen. The horse was syndicated for $50 million.

Even with Big Brown having stepped out of the shadow of the Belmont and into a place in the sun, it remains to be seen why the horse was unresponsive during the large part of the race. While Big Brown's connections did not commit to any upcoming races, including Saratoga's Travers Stakes Aug. 23, IEAH co-owner Michael Iavarone said they are aiming for the Breeders' Cup in October.

No matter what Big Brown's future holds, one thing is clear — the horse is loved.