The possibility of Curlin and Big Brown meeting on any track seems unlikely at the moment, and really it is nobody’s fault. The connections of Big Brown have always said they intended to run in the Breeders Cup Classic. The connections of Curlin have never said the Classic was on their radar. Neither is changing their minds at this point in the game. No one is ducking anyone.

If anything is to blame it is the fragility of the thoroughbred, particularly Big Brown. After watching a very tired Brownie struggle home in the Haskell, one can certainly understand why the Woodward is a bad fit. He needs time before another race, and while four weeks in the past would have been plenty of time (many horses would have had two races in that span), it is not enough for Big Brown. If he were to run in the Jockey Club, that only gives him four weeks for the Classic, and that is his owners ultimate goal, Curlin or no Curlin. They should not have to change their plans because of any pressure from racing fans.

The fact that Big Brown does need so much time between races, is exactly what should keep him from being a champion for the ages. He can’t help it that he has sore feet, anymore than IEAH or Dutrow can. He cannot help it that the Triple Crown took its toll on him, and eight weeks later he barely beat an allowance horse in the Haskell. The Triple Crown took a lot out of Curlin last year also. He ran a dull third in the Haskell. Of course, he actually competed in the Belmont.

As for champions being decided at the Breeders Cup, there are plenty of incidents in the past that prove that doesn’t necessarily matter. Anyone remember Mineshaft? Curlin does not need to run in the Classic, or against Big Brown, for that matter, to repeat Horse of the Year. It is more about Big Brown having to defeat Curlin to take the title. To not have a match up will do nothing to Curlin’s value or reputation. Curlin has already proven himself. He can travel to a variety of tracks, even across the ocean, and soundly defeat the world’s best.

Curlin and Big Brown can both run on turf and dirt. While some might point out that Big Brown is undefeated on turf, Curlin finished a game second in his first attempt against Grade I winners. Anyone remember who Big Brown beat on turf?

What makes IEAH so sure that Big Brown is going to handle a brand new surface at Santa Anita? What if he doesn’t? Should some synthetic specialist (Colonel John) take away Big Brown’s three year old title? Champions have been crowned at the Breeders Cup many times, but they should not fall there simply because they are not adept at handling a brand new surface, especially since both Big Brown and Curlin have handled many tracks and two different surfaces.

If Dutrow is so supremely confident in Big Brown, put him in the Gold Cup, and skip the Classic. He already earned three year old honors, and has everything to gain from running against Curlin. Big Brown and Curlin are both proven runners on dirt, so it would be a better indicator of who really is a better horse. Whoever wins the Classic, the surface can always be the excuse. Not so, with the Gold Cup.

If that doesn’t happen, the connections should not be the bad guys. They were very clear from the beginning. We will have to let history decide who was the faster animal, and at this point, all signs point to Curlin. Big Brown will be retired at the end of this year, and to many, he still will have had much to prove.