Former Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Big Brown, is finished...and all of the sudden the 2008 Breeders Cup looks like a 15K maiden claimer on a Wednesday at Ellis Park. Dammit. The Classic was starting to take on an Ali/Frazier feel. Two super horses going hoof to hoof to crown an overall champion. That was until yesterday when Big Brown almost ripped off his hoof. Michael Iavarone of IHEA Stables said that a three-inch piece of flesh was torn off the bulb on the back of Big Brown's right front foot. That's not good."We don't have a choice but to retire him," Iavarone said. "It's gut-wrenching, but it's the harsh reality of an injury like this. Not life-threatening, just terrible timing."
Real terrible timing. Big Brown had just finished working six furlongs with Breeder's Cup Mile winner Kip Deville in a blistering 1:12 4/5. That is rolling.
"We all were excited," Iavarone said.
Have fun at Three Chimneys, Big Brown. Can't wait to see what you produce in three years.
The Classic will be nothing but a victory lap for Curlin now. With the win, Curlin will become the all time leading money winner in North American history. This is a great horse...but it would have been one hell of a race.
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