NEWS
Dutrow not sure what to expect from Big Brown in Haskell
Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:09 PM
BIG BROWN
Reed Palmer photo
by Jeff Lowe
Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. mixed confidence with concern on Tuesday in looking toward dual classic winner Big Brown’s return on Sunday in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Dutrow is bullish after watching the way Big Brown has trained since he was pulled up in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 7. He is concerned because he still does not have an explanation for Big Brown’s performance in failing to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner.
“From what happened in his last start it’s kind of hard for me to feel as confident as I was for the [Kentucky] Derby [Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)] and his other races, but I feel as confident as I can be that he’s going to go out there and run his race,” Dutrow said. “I felt that for the Belmont and something went wrong. I see the horse doing very good, and I can’t see him doing anything other than running his race. I don’t know why he wouldn’t. Except for his last start, he’s done everything that you would want a horse to do.
“If Big Brown finishes his year out the right way, I’m going to forget about trying to figure [the Belmont] out. I’m still kind of concerned about what’s going to happen on Sunday because I know the horse went into the Belmont in very good condition. Whatever happened in that race I have no idea, but if it happens again then I’m going to know something is wrong with him, he’s just not going to run anymore, stuff like that. A whole lot depends on what happens Sunday.”
Dutrow has won 11 stakes races since the Belmont, but the past eight weeks have hardly been a picnic for the embattled trainer.
Days after the Belmont, the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee asked him to participate in a hearing on safety and drugs in Thoroughbred racing, where he would answer questions about his acknowledged use of anabolic steroids with Big Brown and other horses in his stable.
Dutrow accepted the invitation but was a conspicuous no-show for the hearing, citing an illness.
A week later, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced on June 25 that Dutrow faced a 15-day suspension for a clenbuterol violation, which set off another round of widespread media attention.
The stories included public criticism from Michael Iavarone, the co-leader of Big Brown’s majority owner, IEAH Stables, who was upset that Dutrow did not let him know about the clenbuterol violation before IEAH announced that it would begin a race-day policy this fall banning all drugs except furosemide.
Iavarone has said that he was very close to firing Dutrow, who also trains top sprinter Benny the Bull, top miler Kip Deville, and Suburban Handicap (G1) winner Frost Giant for IEAH.
Dutrow is still wondering what all the fuss is about.
“I never thought it would be like this,” Dutrow said. “I was under the impression that we were doing really good. We won the [Kentucky] Derby [Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)], the Preakness [Stakes (G1)]. … Whatever happened in the Belmont, I don’t feel like it’s my fault. I know the horse went into the race very, very good. Since then, a whole lot of things … [don’t] give me the feeling I had going into the Derby.
“It’s OK. I feel like I’m OK with the press. I know they’ve got a lot of things they want to know from me. Some of the things I’ve answered good, some of the things I haven’t. … Sometimes I feel like I’m doing bad. I know I’m not.”
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
