Any meeting won’t happen as long as Big Brown managing partner Michael Iavarone insists on the Breeders’ Cup Classic for Big Brown’s career finale. Iavarone talks up the Classic’s prestige and surely its list of winners would read, in the language of the great Joe Hirsch, like a roll of drums. Or was it Charlie Hatton who wrote that? Either way, the meaning is clear.
While the Woodward would have allowed Big Brown another week to recover from his Haskell exertions, the race is in no man’s land if the goal is to have only one more prep before fall racing’s biggest dance. It made no sense and Jackson had to know this, which makes the Woodward proposal little more than a hollow gesture.
I’m a big Jackson fan. There would have been no four-year-old season for Curlin without Jackson’s say-so, no matter what the legal ownership entanglements were at the time. And given the insurance premiums, keeping Curlin racing was not fiscally prudent. But damn if Jess Jackson just doesn’t love watching the big horse run.
But at least Jackson’s trying. The Woodward “invitation” came with a sweetener of a $50,000 donation to Anna House, the Belmont Child Care Association, from the Curlin for Kids Fund established by Jackson, if Big Brown’s connections accepted the invitation. The incentive for making this lemonade was borne of recent disparaging remarks made by trainer Rick Dutrow about Jackson's horse.
But here’s the skinny. The ball might be in Big Brown’s court but there‘s no way he would have run this soon. When Triple Crown dreams were dashed in the heat of a steamy June afternoon on Long Island, Big Brown would need to meet and defeat Curlin if he wants the ultimate honor. It doesn’t always work out this way, but Eclipse Awards are like championship belts; you have to take it away in the arena.
If Big Brown and Curlin never meet, and each runs the table with, say, two more victories each, Curlin will retain the title. Winning a Curlin-less Classic won’t make Big Brown Horse of the Year, even if it turns out to be his sixth Grade 1 victory of the year.
End of year voters will punish the Big Brown camp for beating up on a weak three-year-old class, for ducking the champ, and, however unfairly, because the connections decided to run their mouth instead of their horse.
One of the options the Curlin people are still considering is a run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. What a great spot for both to meet! Neither would seem to have an edge at the 12-furlong distance, Big Brown might have an advantage on grass, but Curlin is older and stronger.
A Turf battle against each other and top class Europeans would be the kind of buzz this Breeders’ Cup could use, especially coming off last year’s slop-compromised event and the negative publicity it has gotten this year because of the artificial surface controversy and--at least to this point--the unfairly maligned Ladies Day concept. But like the proposed matches in the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup, don't bet the rent on a Turf match, either.
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First Race: Track fast, no turf racing and, thus far, 38 program scratches and counting… Props to Linda Rice who had C.T. Phone Home ready off the 212-day layoff, the 3-year-old filly speeding through early splits of :22.49 and :45.67, stopping the timer in 1:04.47 for 5-½ furlongs, staying strong right to the finish. Recent maiden winner Weekwee finished strongly for the second time over this surface, clearly second best. Obviously, she likes this track and owns a big late kick, as did her mother, Bien Sucre.
Second Race: The good thing wasn’t so good. The $700,000 February 2-year-old was bet early and often but the Kiaran McLaughlin newcomer was run off her feet early by Grizzly Peak, who held very determinedly for place and after pressured by the favorite in fractions of :21.57 and :45.06... The running time of 1:03.56, clocked by debuting Capt. Candyman Can, was first rate. Trainer Ian Wilkes, not generally known for his debut types, had the Candy Ride gelding completely fit, sitting off the rapid fractions, fourth, while under restraint from Julien Leparoux, who continues to push all the right buttons, until ready to roll. Wilkes off the duck. The “Candyman” galloped out nicely following his good-trip score; may have a future…Mesa Sunrise, also well meant, loomed up three wide but lugged in greenly and should benefit…Second-time starter Laver finished willingly for fourth, hand-ridden, following an energetic pre-race warm-up; follow.
Third Race: An entertaining six-horse race. Temporary Saint broke from the barrier rapidly, set a realistic, pressured pace, battled back gamely when Loose Leaf came alongside and lost a head-bobber in an excellent performance. Credit Ken McPeek for having his debuting 4-year-old dead fit, up the rail into contention on final turn before tipping wide for the drive…Ravel, winner of the G3 Sham at 3, appeared in need of his return from a lengthy layup; note.
Fourth Race: This turf two-turn fro juvenile fillies was run at 7 furlongs on the main track and all three money finishers raced well. The fractions, :22.87 and :45.94, were strong, as was the final time of 1:23.57. Dominguez scored a natural double with Silver Reunion, benefiting from a pace duel, with pressured pacesetter Ain’t Love Grand holding extremely well for place. Show finishing Jehan loomed strongly up the fence before tiring. The rail wasn’t completely dead, but the 2-path was better. Graham Motion breaks his maiden at the meet.
Fifth Race: Maiden claiming juveniles in the fifth, and not many impressed here. David Donk’s debuting Spina was fit and she got the outside trip behind dueling leaders, proving clearly best. Debuting Truly Divine and Maggie’s Promise were going well at the finish while never threatening. Peace Baby Peace showed early speed but tired as if short of condition; should benefit, but may need another.
Sixth Race: Take The Bluff survived a speed duel with Casey’s Joy and had more than enough to hold off perfect-tripping and overbet Bill Place. Role Play completed the four-horse field. Yawn.
Seventh Race: Mother Russia made an auspicious debut, a training double for Linda Rice. The daughter of the speedy Mayakovsky made all the pace, repelled the lone serious challenge from first-timer Gem for Hook, and widened under pressure. The fractions and final time (1:06.04) were moderate but the drying surface appeared a little more demanding as the afternoon wore on.
Eighth Race: A triple for Dominguez and the sixth win of the meet for Tony Dutrow, quietly having a very strong meet. Premium Wine enjoyed the class relief with the drop from graded company, out-finishing battling leaders with a perfect-trip score. Surface lover Starforaday rolled home for the place after the pacesetters tired. This “non-winners of three other/than, optional claimer” would have passed for a stakes anywhere else; a hint of what Saratoga used to be on a regular basis.
The Adirondack: It was hard to know just what Mani Bhavan was coming into her second lifetime start. A speed-popping two-year-old wiring the field at speedy Delaware Park, especially given we’re talking a filly here, doesn’t take your breath away, even if she beat her five rivals in July 12 by 9-¼ lengths in :57.66. That all changed with her breathtaking performance in the Adirondack. She made the other speed fillies look slow by comparison. Never threatened and under complete control beneath Alan Garcia, she rolled to a serendipitous 9-¼ victory in a Grade 2 that went in 1:18.09 for 6-½ furlongs. “I really expected her to run well,” said her trainer Steve Klesaris, “but she ran better than I expected.” I’ll bet… Said Kelly Breen of favorite Bold Union, who finished a one-paced fourth, “she didn’t run her race.” There’s a chance Mani Bhavan might be at her best in sprints, but there’s a chance she might be a whole lot more; follow with interest.
Tenth Race: Favorite Multidude was going easily in front and looked well on her way, until Little Wise Guy cruised on by for an open lengths score; no excuse.
