NEWS
Big Brown’s stud plans placed on hold
Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 6:11 PM
BIG BROWN
Jim McCue/MJC photo
Stud plans for Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands winner Big Brown have been placed on hold until after the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. co-own unbeaten Big Brown, the 1-to-2 morning-line favorite for the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t come to terms on a stud deal for Big Brown prior to the Preakness as we had hoped,” IEAH Co-President Michael Iavarone said in a statement. “Legal issues and time constraints proved too much to overcome, and we will revisit all options following the Preakness.
“Big Brown is training as well as ever, we expect a big effort on Saturday, and we are very anxious for the race. We appreciate the great interest shown in our colt.”
Richard Dutrow trains Big Brown, a 4 3/4-length winner of the Kentucky Derby. The Boundary colt previously earned his first stakes victory in a five-length win in the Florida Derby (G1) on March 29 at Gulfstream Park.
Iavorone previously said there is no chance Big Brown will race next season at four and will skip the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 7 at Belmont Park if he does not win the Preakness. Dutrow expects to see Big Brown race after the Triple Crown.
“I can’t imagine anyone saying that we wouldn’t run in the Travers [Stakes (G1)] or the [Breeders’ Cup] Classic [G1] if we win the Triple Crown,” Dutrow said. “If someone does tell me that, then I wouldn’t listen.”
