by Jeff Apel
Dual classic winner Big Brown switched surfaces and breezed on turf on Friday in preparation for a planned start on the main track in the $1-million Haskell Invitational Stakes Presented by Vonage (G1) on Sunday at Monmouth Park.
Trainer Richard Dutrow said there was “nothing in particular” that led him to breeze the Boundary colt on firm turf. Big Brown completed the three-furlong breeze in :38.68 at Aqueduct under exercise rider Michelle Nevin.
The breeze was the only timed move on turf at the distance.
“He always breezes good,” Dutrow said. “We were expecting that.”
Big Brown made his racing debut in 2007 on turf and earned an 11 1/4-length victory in a maiden special weight race at Saratoga Race Course for then-trainer Patrick Reynolds. The bay colt made his previous five starts on the main track for Dutrow and co-owners IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.
The colt’s previous seven breezes also were on the main track.
Big Brown is the 1-to-2 morning-line favorite in a field of seven three-year-olds entered in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell.
“I feel good about him running his race,” Dutrow said. “I’ve always felt that.”
The Haskell will be Big Brown’s first start since jockey Kent Desormeaux pulled the colt up in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 7. Big Brown previously won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) by 4 3/4 lengths on May 3 at Churchill Downs and the Preakness Stakes (G1) by 5 1/4 lengths on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.
“I’m looking forward to watching him run again,” Dutrow said. “He’s a very exciting horse.”
Dutrow does not view the Haskell as a chance for Big Brown to redeem himself following a disappointing effort in the Belmont that prevented the colt from becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.
“It’s not what I’m looking for,” Dutrow said. “I’m just looking for him to go back over there and run his race. That’s all.”
Dutrow plans to ship Big Brown to Monmouth in Oceanport, New Jersey, on Saturday morning. The colt is scheduled to school in the paddock when the field assembles for the first race.
Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor