Big Brown to duck the Travers-will run in the Haskell

Michael Ivarone of IEAH annouced today that Big Brown will run in the Haskell at Monmouth Park on August 3rd and skip the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 23rd. According to quotes of Ivarone in the Daily Racing Form, Ivarone feels it will be less hot and humid at Monmouth than the Spa in August. It is also a tighter race track which should be more to the liking of Big Brown. Ivarone after the Belmont was critical of the Belmont dirt surface and no doubt has litte faith in NYRA to give him a favorable track up at the Spa. He will get that at Monmouth plus an additional $50,000 to the owners and $50,000 to Dutrow as bonus money from Monmouth officials as Big Brown won 2 Triple Crown Races. That money would not be given to run in the Travers. So, for you east coast fans of Big Brown you will have to travel to the Shore this summer to see Big Brown as he won't be at the Spa. After that it is possibly off to the West Coast for the Breeders Cup and than bye bye Big Brown.