The Big Beast Shut Down Until 2016

Grade I winner The Big Beast has been shut down for the year, owner Alex Lieblong said Sept. 25, because of nagging foot issues and a lack of races at his best distances.



The 4-year-old Yes It's True   colt trained by Tony Dutrow appeared to be a candidate for the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), after back to back second-place finishes in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (gr. I) and Priority One Jets Forego (gr. I). But Lieblong wasn't enamored with the idea of running The Big Beast at six furlongs against Forego winner Private Zone again in the Sprint.



A lack of upcoming seven-furlong events, combined with the massive colt's tendency to develop abscesses made the decision easier.



"I don't think six furlongs is his best distance, by far, even though he ran well in the Vanderbilt," Lieblong said. "He's always had this foot thing flare up from time to time, so let's blow the whistle and think about next year."



Lieblong also left the door open for The Big Beast's retirement, even though he's still weighing stud options.



"We're also talking about doing something stallion-wise," the owner said of his 18-hand behemoth. "I would hate to do that, because we love to see him run, but it's a business-versus-emotion decision. It's about what's best for the horse and what sets him up for a successful sire career. If we gelded him, it would have been an easy decision."