Bodog Beat

Big Brown and jockey Kent Desormeaux eked out a win at the Haskell Invitational. (AP Images)

It wasn't the way most expected Big Brown to win – by blowing away the field – but he eked out a victory nonetheless in Sunday's Gr. 1 $1 million Haskell Invitational. It was the 3-year-old's first race since his dismal performance in the Belmont Stakes two months ago, and all eyes were on him as he broke first from the gate and surged to the lead.

Big Brown's lead did not last, however. Coal Play, the Nick Zito-trained 3-year-old, who has never won a stakes race, quickly moved up to take over the lead at the clubhouse turn. They ran one-two all the way to the final bend, with Big Brown sitting a length and a half behind, where jockey Kent Desormeaux's urgings for more speed were finally heeded. Even then, Big Brown didn't overcome Coal Play till the final six strides.

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. was unsurprisingly pleased with Big Brown's performance. "I feel much better than the last time he ran, I’ll tell you that," Dutrow said. "He showed up today. That other horse [Coal Play] ran a huge, huge race. The last eighth, he got himself together and showed us what he’s made of."

Desormeaux agreed, saying: "[Big Brown] found a new gear and just kept sticking his neck out. I knew he was going to get there. At the top of the stretch, that horse [Coal Play] took off, but Big Brown took off after him. He just kept coming and I knew we’d get him."

Big Brown's next start is uncertain now that Dutrow has said that they would pass over the Travers Stakes in Saratoga on Aug. 23 in favor of a later race. Possibilities include the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 1 or the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 27.

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