2008 Haskell Invitational Stakes - Big Brown

It certainly wasn't as impressive as his wins in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or Preakness (gr. I), but Big Brown got the job done in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) before 45,132 spectators at Monmouth Park Aug. 3. Maybe now the critics will stop sniping at the majestic bay colt and his trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. for their Belmont Stakes (gr. I) flop.

Or maybe not.

Facing a field with only two other graded winners, Kent Desormeaux had to call on a laboring Big Brown early in the stretch to catch pacesetter Coal Play. Drifting out slightly down the lane in spite of steady right-handed urging from his jockey, Big Brown picked it up late and swept past the tiring Coal Play close to home to score a 1 3/4-length win in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell.

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