Big Brown showed his champion qualities when he dug deep inside the final 200 metres to run down Coal Play and win the group one Haskell Invitational at his first start since his Belmont Stakes failure.
The crowd of 45,132 was treated to a tremendous race as odds-on favourite Big Brown was forced to call on all his reserves to gain his fourth grade 1 victory of the year.
After his puzzling race in the Belmont, when he was pulled up and did not finish, his Haskell performance delighted trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. and owners IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr., Gary Tolchin, Andrew Cohen and Pegasus Holdings Group.
"He showed up today," Dutrow said.
"That other horse ran a huge, huge race. The last eighth (200m), he got himself together and showed us what he's made of."
Kent Desormeaux, who has been aboard in all Big Brown's races this year, was effusive in his praise.
"Big Brown is the best horse I've ever ridden," said Desormeaux who passed the 5000 mark in career wins last week.
"Today he showed he's a warrior. He's always won his other races with such ease.
"Today he showed what courage he had.
"Grade Ones, they don't give them away, and Big Brown earned it today."
The Haskell drew record wagering of $US4,257,409 ($NZ5,920,500) driving Monmouth to a single-day record total of $US17,642,954, an all-time record for New Jersey pari-mutuels.
Big Brown, who chased Coal Play all around the oval, asserted himself the final furlong while drifting wide and crossed the line 1-3/4 lengths in front of his rival.
Cool Coal Man, like Coal Play trained by Nick Zito, finished third, 4-1/4 lengths farther back.
Zito, who caused an upset in the Belmont with Da'Tara and looked like he would spring another surprise today, was happy with his two-three finish.
"I thought we had a helluva shot turning for home," Zito said.
"I thought to myself 'We could do this again.' I'm very happy right now.
"We made him (Big Brown) run, that's for sure. But this is good for racing. Coal Play ran a big race."
