CURLIN VS BIG BROWN?

JESS JACKSON, majority owner of reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, who will make his next start in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on August 30, has invited Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown to contest the race.

The successful owner has said he will donate $50,000 from the Jackson Curlin for Kids Fund to the Belmont Child Care Association, Anna House, should the connections of the dual-Classic winner take him upon his invitation.

Big Brown most recently won the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, on what was his first start since being eased in the Belmont Stakes.

His trainer Rick Dutrow then made some disparaging remarks about Curlin, comparing Big Brown favourably to the older champion.

"Big Brown's camp's recent remarks about Curlin inspired me to offer an incentive to get these two great horses to race at the legendary track at the Spa," said Jackson.
"Both horses are eligible for this race and both have plenty of time to prepare for what would be thoroughbred racing at its very best, and in the name of a great cause."

Under the conditions of the Woodward, run over 1m1f on the main track, Curlin would have to concede 5lb to his year-younger rival.

"This type of competition between horses," added Jackson," is exactly what thoroughbred racing needs - an event that introduces excitement and competition of racing to a broader audience.

"Imagine Horse of the Year Curlin racing against Derby winner Big Brown, on a legendary track. I would love it, fans would love it and the horses would love it."

My money is on the horse below!

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I have that exact photo as my desktop wallpaper...LOL

I have the exact same wallpaper in my lounge LOL

They are legends on dirt. How comparable are they on grass. Imo American horses have been found wanting recently on grass against their int'l counterparts

Big Brown connection's
will not change plans


Big Brown (white bridle): will not be deterred from original plans


MICHAEL IAVARONE, spokesman for Big Brown's majority owner the IEAH Stable, has declined a meeting for his horse with Curlin in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on August 30 prompting Curlin's majority owner Jess Jackson to reissue the challenge for the Jockey Club Gold Cup over 1m 2f on the main track at Belmont Park on September 27.

That meeting also looks most unlikely, given Iavarone's response.

"It's disappointing he's got to require us to run in a race to give money to charity," he said.

"We're not running in the Woodward. We'll up the stakes if he wants to run in the Breeders' Cup.

"We'll come to some kind of agreement to give more to charity. It's the race that should decide a championship, not the Woodward against four horses.
“Give everybody a chance, Europeans, Big Brown, Commentator. Fifty-thousand dollars to charity is not going to change our tactics."

Jackson has said he will miss the Breeders' Cup Classic with Curlin as he does not like the cushion track surface at Santa Anita where the race will be run.

Iavarone said the Haskell Invitational "knocked the heck out of" Big Brown. He added that a final prep for the Classic could come on turf atBelmont Park or perhaps in the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap on turf at Santa Anita on September 27.

"We just got to bide our time and refill the tank," he said. "I think the way to do it is a ssensible turf race middle or end (of September) followed by the Breeders' Cup."

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