Big Brown has won the 2008 Haskell Invitational, a $1 million race on 1 1/8 miles of dirt at Monmouth Park. After quick fractions set by Coal Play, Big Brown won the Haskell in the stretch by 1 3/4 lengths with a final time of 1:48.31. The high weight in this handicap race, 1-5 favorite Big Brown carried four pounds more than his six Haskell rivals.

Big Brown was Sent to the lead out of the gate, and when challenged early by Coal Play, he conceded the lead, slipping outside of that rival to travel a close second as Coal Play set fast fractions around the oval. Todd Pletcher-trained Atoned was close to the pace in third, longshot Magical Forest going fourth, with Coal Play's stablemate Cool Coal Man traveling fifth.

Big Brown advanced on the unyielding Coal Play as they entered the stretch, grinding away with strong urging from jockey Kent Desormeaux to get a head in front. As Big Brown continued to draw away from Coal Play, Cool Coal Man caught third, and longest price on the board Alaazo finished fourth (more than 10 lengths better than his closest follower in the 7-horse field who came to the line in this order: Nistle's Crunch, Atoned, Magical Forest).

FRACTIONS: 23.05 - 46.59 - 1:10.85 1:35.20 - FINAL: 1:48.31

Big Brown returned $2.40 to win. The $2 Exacta paid $25.20, the $1 Trifecta paid $32.70, and the $1 Superfecta paid $218.80.

For more on the Haskell visit monmouthpark.com

Tags: Bigbrown Haskell Monmouth 2008

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