This year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic is a whole new ball game. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown injured his foot in training on Monday and will now be retired. Big Brown tore off a chunk of his right foot as he worked without front shoes while going six furlongs at Aqueduct. “I’m sick, I want to throw up right now,” co-owner Michael Iavarone said, “It’s emotionally painful more than it is anything else. When you begin to look at it selfishly, it’s a terrible thing. When you look at it as a realistic person, you’re okay with it. He’s going to retire happy and sound and he’s going to go on and have a good life.” Big Brown was working with stablemate Kip Deville and went five furlongs in 1:00.77. Big Brown made it through the workout but later had to be urged to continue walking and it was found that he had a major hoof injury.

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The injury to Big Brown means that he will not get to face Curlin in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The connections of Curlin were expected to announce on Tuesday whether or not the horse will run in the Classic. Curlin worked five furlongs in 59.11 seconds over Santa Anita’s track on Monday. The entries for the Breeders’ Cup Classic are due on Tuesday and Big Brown’s injury may actually entice a few other owners to enter their horses in the Classic.

Big Brown has had continual problems with his feet and this latest injury prompted the connections to retire Big Brown at this point. “As much as it rips right at the gut of us, we have to do it,” Iavarone said. Big Brown won 7 of his 8 career starts but the one loss that stands out is the Belmont loss when he was pulled up. “We did good,” trainer Rick Dutrow said, about Big Brown’s career “I’m sure Iavarone’s looking for another one. As long as they get to leave our barn the right way, I’m okay with it. The horse is not missing out on anything; we’re missing out on the race. Brown will be able to live a real good life, so it’s all good.” Dutrow will hope that Kip Deville runs well in the Mile or the Breeders’ Cup will be a total bust. “Kip will show up there for us,” Dutrow said. “We’ll still have fun.”