NYRA should push for Curlin-Big Brown showdown

Jess Jackson, the owner of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, announced this week that his champion colt’s next race will be the $500,000 Woodward at Saratoga on Aug. 30. That’s great news for the New York Racing Association, which runs Saratoga.

However, the other big shoe failed to drop for the NYRA. Michael Iavarone, head of IEAH Stable, said Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Haskell winner Big Brown would pass on the Travers at the Spa on Aug. 23. Iavarone wants more time between the Aug. 3 Haskell and Big Brown’s next race. That also eliminates him from facing Curlin in the Woodward.

Big Brown’s star power is unquestionable. When he ran at Monmouth Park in the Haskell, a crowd of 45,132 turned out. By comparison, the 2007 Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth in wet weather drew 41,781.

Curlin last raced in the Man o’ War at Belmont on July 12. Despite free admission and parking, the race attracted only 8,428 fans.

Granted, Monmouth marketed the heck out of Haskell day, its biggest event of the season. But Curlin just does not have the public cachet of Big Brown.

To hit a home run, racing needs to match these two heavyweights against each other. In May, I wrote that the best shot of getting them together is in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont. I still feel that way.

I have my doubts that both horses will ship to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup to race over a synthetic track, the new Pro Ride surface. Maybe one will show, but probably not both.

With that possibility, the NYRA could have a golden opportunity to stage the biggest race of the year. Let’s see how creative, and persuasive, it can get.

• ARLINGTON — The Arlington Million and two other Grade I stakes — the Secretariat and Beverly D — highlight a terrific card Saturday at Arlington Park. The races typically attract a strong European contingent, and this year is no different.

In the Secretariat, I like Irish invader Plan from trainer Aidan O’Brien. The Beverly D is ripe for a closer, so I’ll go with Mauralakana with Kent Desormeaux up. And in the Million, I like Archipenko for South African trainer Michael de Kock.

• WHITE PINE — The White Pine Horse Races and County Fair will be Aug. 16 and 17 in Ely. Ely is about 250 miles north of Las Vegas, which is 60 miles closer — and light years different — than Del Mar.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.