Foot injury puts end to Big Brown's career

Big Brown's racing career ended yesterday when the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner injured his right front foot during a workout at Aqueduct Race Course in New York.

Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown, said the 3-year-old colt tore a three-inch piece of flesh off the foot after it collided with his right rear foot while working over Aqueduct's turf course. Iavarone said the injury would take around two months to heal, making it impossible for Big Brown to run in The Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 25 at Santa Anita. The strapping bay is due at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky., by the end of the year to begin his stud career, Iavarone said.

The injury caps a brilliant career for Big Brown, who won seven times in eight starts, including dominant runs in the Derby and the Preakness, and earned $3.6 million. His bid to become the first Triple Crown champion since 1978 ended during a bizarre Belmont Stakes in which he was eased by jockey Kent Desormeaux at the turn and he trotted across the finish line far behind the field.

Curlin on track

Curlin ran 5 furlongs between races on Santa Anita's synthetic surface, with owner Jess Jackson saying he hopes to enter the reigning Horse of the Year in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Curlin, who has never raced on a synthetic surface, covered the distance in 59.12 seconds in preparation for a defense of his title in the Classic Oct. 25.