Thursday, August 21, 2008

BIG BROWN’S NEXT START TO BE ON MONMOUTH TURF, SEPT. 13

OCEANPORT, N.J. * Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Haskell Invitational, is expected to return to the Jersey Shore on Sept. 13 to make his next start in the $200,000 Monmouth Stakes, a mile and an eighth turf contest for 3-year-olds and up.

Big Brown rebounded off a last place finish in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 to capture Monmouth Park’s signature race, the $1 million Haskell on Aug. 3.


“We were looking for a grass race for him and the Monmouth grass surface should be perfect for Big Brown,” said Michael Iavarone, co-president and co-CEO of IEAH Stables. “Monmouth was cordial enough to put up a nice purse for him and the fans really took to Big Brown last time he was there.

“We’ll use this race to go to the synthetic surface at Santa Anita and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Oct. 25).”

As part of the conditions of the race, the $200,000 purse for the Monmouth Stakes will be increased to $500,000 should the 2008 Kentucky Derby winner (Big Brown) start in the turf test.

“We’re overjoyed that Big Brown will be returning to New Jersey,” said Bob Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park. “Big Brown coming back to the Jersey Shore will provide added excitement to September racing at Monmouth and should be an across the board winner for his connections, the fans, and the racing industry in New Jersey.”

A colt by Boundary out of the Nureyev mare Mien, Big Brown has won five of six starts and has earned $3,314,500. He races for IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr., Gary Tolchin, Andrew Cohen and Pegasus Holdings Group.

Big Brown broke his maiden at first asking on Sept. 3, 2007, winning by 11 ¼ lengths over the Saratoga turf course. The Monmouth Stakes will mark the colt’s second race on turf.

Monmouth Park’s 2008 racing season runs through Sunday, Sept. 28.

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