BIG BROWN WINS.

BIG BROWN got back to winning form in the $1m Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Saturday - but he had to work hard under a strong drive from Kent Desormeaux to overhaul long-time leader Coal Play in the shadow of the post.

The Rick Dutrow-trained star, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but a bitter disappointment when virtually pulled up in the Belmont, was sent off at 1-5, but it is debatable how much this performance did to restore his one-time reputation as a bulletproof bruiser.

Dutrow looked relieved after the race and was reserved in his immediate comments, simply saying that he was "very happy he won - it was very pleasurable".

Desormeaux bounced Big Brown out of the stalls into the lead but was soon joined and overtaken by the Nick Zito-trained Coal Play, a 20-1 shot, who led until 50 yards from the finish, when Big Brown gradually wore him down to win by a length and three-quarters.

Zito's other runner, Cool Coal Man, finished third and the winning time for the 1m1f was 1min 48.31sec.

Desormeaux said afterwards: "Big Brown had to show his true class today. I wasn't certain around the bend, but when he did his lead change, he stuck his neck out and found a new gear."

The win was worth $600,000 for owners IEAH Stables and boosted Big Brown's prize-money to $3,314,500.

Big Brown is being aimed at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on October 25, with connections planning a two-race campaign for the remainder of the season.

Among the options for his next run are the Pennsylvania Derby on September 1, the MassCap on September 20 and the Jockey Club Gold Cup or Goodwood Breeders' Cup, both on September 27.

Thats good news as Andrew has been offered a ride in Russia on Racecar Rhapsody the horse that ran 4th to Big Brown in the Preakness his last start,at this stage we are trying to sort out his visa and if all goes well he will ride the horse on the 16th August.