Craig Donnelly, Inquirer Sports Writer
Rumors that Big Brown would ship to the Labor Day running of the Pennsylvania Derby never had the ring of truth and the Kentucky Derby and Preakness victor won't be there.
But what about the Sept. 13 running of the PTHA President's Cup?
The connections of Big Brown have indicated they want a turf race as a final prep for the Oct. 25 Classic at Santa Anita.
Craig Donnelly, Inquirer Sports Writer
Following Big Brown's easily anticipated but hard-earned Haskell victory, trainer Rick Dutrow suggested that Curlin, the assumed other fastest horse in the world, wasn't in the same class as his horse.
Jess Jackson, prinicipal owner of Curlin, who along with Big Brown share's a Preakness victory if little else, offered to meet Big Brown in the Woodward at the Spa on Aug. 30 but Michael Iavarone, part-owner of Big Brown, said his horse was still too tired from the Haskell.
Jackson countered with the offer of an encounter next month in the Jockey Club Gold Cup but Big Brown's camp said they were looking for a turrf race in mid September with the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita the eventual target.
