By David Grening
Story from DRF.com and I thank them for it.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown has been retired after the colt suffered an injury to his right front foot during a workout Monday morning at Aqueduct.
Thus, the dream match-up of Big Brown and Curlin will not take place as anticipated in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Oct. 25. Curlin, the reigning Horse of the Year, was due to work at Santa Anita between races on Monday.
Big Brown tore off a chunk of the inside quarter of his right front foot while working six furlongs in company with defending Breeders' Cup Mile winner Kip Deville over Aqueduct's turf course. The two multiple Grade 1 winners worked head and head throughout the move, which Daily Racing Form timed in 1:12.89. Big Brown worked without front shoes.
The injury would take too long to heal to make the Breeder's Cup or any other race this year, his connections said. Co-owners Michael Iavarone - along with his wife and two daughters - and Paul Pompa Jr. observed the work from the backstretch along with trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.
After consultation with blacksmith Alex Leaf - who was at Aqueduct - and noted equine hoof specialist Ian McKinlay - who was not on-site - the decision was made to retire the horse.
"I'm sick I want to throw up right now," Iavarone said in a phone interview a few hours after the work. "It's emotionally painful more than it is anything else. When you begin to look at it selfishly, it's a terrible thing. When you look at it as a realistic person you're okay with it. He's going to retire happy and sound and he's going to go on and have a good life."
Big Brown, who will stand at stud at Robert Clays' Three Chimneys Farm, retires with seven wins from eight starts and earnings of $3,614,500. In addition to the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Big Brown won the Florida Derby, Haskell Invitational, and Monmouth Stakes. His lone loss came when he was pulled up by jockey Kent Desormeaux at the quarter pole of the Belmont Stakes.
The 2008 Kentucky Derby
The 2008 Peakness
The Monmouth Stakes
The Haskell Invitational
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