From Jess Jackson
"I made a sportsman’s proposal to Big Brown’s connections this morning to race at Saratoga Race Course in the Grade 1 Woodward on August 30, and they declined the invitation. I am disappointed by the news. I read this morning that Big Brown might be looking for a turf race at Belmont Park, so apparently, his connections are looking at other options this fall.
I would ask Big Brown’s camp to consider the prestigious $750,000 Jockey Gold Cup Invitational (Gr. I) at Belmont Park on September 27 as an option. It’s a prestigious, prized race on a natural dirt surface at one of the great tracks in the world. Big Brown is a champion thoroughbred and, most certainly, would be prepared to race at the end of September. Perhaps we could work together to get the Breeder’s Cup to add an incentive to the purse so that a specific charity would get a bigger slice of the pie.
This has long been a part of my platform for this industry - bigger purses.
Another part of my personal platform is to make charitable contributions. When Barbara and I bought Curlin, we immediately established the Jackson Curlin for Kids Fund whose purpose is to make a difference in the lives of children where Curlin runs or trains. In February of this year, we donated $1 million to The Woods Laboratory for equine and human cancer and infertility research. Plus we give millions to more than 600 charities ever year because we believe it is the right thing to do.
We also are aware of IEAH’s involvement with charitable causes, including the current construction of the Ruffian Equine Medical Center across from Belmont Park. We have two great horses and a common purpose. Why not get them together?
As to the Breeder’s Cup, it is not part of my current plan for Curlin. I felt it was the sporting thing to do to announce Curlin’s schedule to give fair notice to anyone looking to compete against the reigning horse of the year this fall.
Our plan is to focus on the Woodward, look to the Jockey Gold Cup, hopefully with Big Brown in the field, and review our plans after that.
Ultimately, all of us have to do what is in the best interest of our horse. I wish Big Brown well and hope Curlin has the opportunity to compete against him. It certainly would help the industry and please the fans of both of these majestic horses. ”
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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5 comments:
The Curlin Team has class, Big Brown Team no class.
It was maddening when Ivarone replied to the Curlin invitation. When it was stated in the Ivarone reply what Curlin should be doing my heart sunk because now there is no doubt that everyone on the BB team is an asshole. I wish Big Brown to vanish in a Black hole and I do not like feeling that way about a horse.
P.S.
The comment about Jackson's lack of a charitable nature was the ultimate death spiral statement.
Since NYRA will never pay BB to show, the slicksters will take the Brownie show on the road and try to milk every cent out of the Monmouth Parks and Delawares of the racing world. Pathetic. Curlin would beat their Rat by 15. As a matter of fact that filly who may go in the Travers would kick Big Brown's can.
All of you, well said! It is really too bad that BB had to end up in the hands of IEAH and Rick Dutrow. If the Phipps Stable owned the horse and Bill Mott were the trainer (as someone else said, I'm stealing this) BB would be the darling of America. It's unfortunate for BB that his organization is so ignoble. As a result, all of us and many others are going to be on the edge of our seats come the Breeders Cup Classic hoping for all of the other horses to leave BB in the polytrack dust.
Big Brown should duel Curlin for the greater good of horse racing.
There's no bigger stage in the sport than the one they could make together.
Here's another great horse racing blog:
http://nyspi.blogspot.com
It's updated with relevant industry news and insights about the state of horse racing in America.
Take a look.
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