It was a comfortable neck victory and the job was done the hard way - from the front. Apparently jockey Kent Desormeaux was following the owner's surprising orders to make all the running.

The only time Big Brown, who went off at betting odds of 3-5 fav on Saturday, has tasted defeat in eight runs was the abysmal showing in the Belmont Stakes that would have handed him the triple crown.

This prep race for the Breeders Cup Classic was run on turf. Connections believe turf bears a closer resemblance to the all-weather track Big Brown will encounter at Santa Anita on the big day than dirt.

Big Brown could clash with Curlin in the Classic before being retired to stud.