Big Brown at Philly Park?

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.

The Philly race is at 1 1/8 miles over the green with a current $250,000 purse.

Kick in half a million more and you get a terrific field with a marquee name.

The race suits Big Brown's time frame nicely and he would of course avoid Curlin who is main track bound in the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Next weekend's card full of Pa.-bred stakes at Philly will be a welcome relief.

Saturday's opener witnessed two of the seven in the field being eased in the stretch.

Latewinterstorm was vanned off appearing lame and Safebreaker was eased after losing contact.

With no turf and small fields, an August feature, one must persuse the simulcasting menu for signs of good racing.

Yesterday's finale at Laurel saw Appeal to the City fail as the heavy favorite, finishing fifth in a turf sprint.

Rose was aboard Appeal to the City on June 23 at Delaware Park when he struck her in the eye with the whip in deep stretch after she lugged in over the winners' heels.

Rose was dealt a six month suspension, reduced to three months by the commission, and will be back on Sept. 23.

He said the incident was accidental and maintained his innonence.

Interesting, Appeal to the City, who was treated at the New Bolton Center fer her eye injury, was dropping from $20,000 to $10,000 at Laurel after running third for a $20,000 tag at Colonial in her first outing after the fiasco.