How about that, after hobbling from last place at Belmont Park, the one-legged Big Brown will be racing again.

That’s right, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion, Big Brown, will be back on the race track competing in the $1-million 2008 Haskell Invitational on August 3 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.

Much to our surprise here on OddJack, Big Brown was given a clean bill of health during a post-race veterinary examination and now will look to capture the Haskell Invitational after failing to win what many thought was his for the taking a few weeks ago, this year’s Triple Crown.

‘’The Haskell’s clearly a first target right now,'’ IEAH Stable president Michael Iavarone said.

Owned by IEAH Stable, Big Brown finished last to 38-1 longshot Da’Tara at the 2008 Belmont Stakes last June 7 at Belmont Park, making him the first Triple Crown hopeful to finish last at Belmont Park. You can just imagine how utterly irritated those people were, riding the Big Brown bandwagon.Iavarone also said that he had specific reasons for choosing the Haskell over the upcoming Jim Dandy Stakes at the end of July.

‘’We’re trying to avoid certain things that happened in the Belmont,'’ he said. ‘’We’re trying to avoid the heat; it’s a lot more hot and humid (at Saratoga), it’s a lot cooler down by the Jersey Shore. More importantly is the surface. It’s a lot tighter race track, more conducive to his style.'’

The 2008 Haskell Invitational carries a $1 million purse, with over half the amount going to the winner. However under bonus conditions that are part of the race, the track will pay Big Brown’s owners an additional $50,000 and trainer Rick Dutrow another $50,000. The payments are stipulated in Haskell conditions for the connections of a Haskell starter that has won two Triple Crown races.

‘’We’re ecstatic to see that Big Brown plans on running in the Haskell,”’ said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates Monmouth Park. ‘’He’s a tremendous horse with a ton of talent.'’

Yeah, after the Belmont Stakes, we now know that he can make you look like a complete jackass too.

Can we see redemption for the IEAH stable and watch Big Brown win the 2008 Haskell Invitational? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

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2008 Haskell Invitational Big Brown