The gloves are on!

Although a Breeders’ Cup matchup between Curlin and Big Brown still hasn’t been confirmed, the trainers and owners of both respective thoroughbreds have been involved in a duel ever since Big Brown won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth.

Big Brown’s trainer Rick Dutrow threw the first punch last week, saying that his horse was way better than Curlin. Then Curlin’s owner Jesse Jackson this week dared Dutrow to put his money where his mouth is by accepting an invitation to enter Big Brown in the August 30th Woodward Handicap at Saratoga. If Big Brown’s camp were to accept the invite, Jackson said he’d donate $50,000 to Anna House, the Belmont Park child-care facility for backstretch workers.

“Dutrow’s recent remarks about Curlin inspired me to offer to get these two great horses to race at the Spa,” Jackson said. “Imagine Curlin against Big Brown on a legendary track ? It would be thoroughbred racing at its very best and in the name of a great cause.”

Alas, Michael Iavarone, co-president of IEAH Stables and co-owner of Big Brown, turned down Jackson’s offer and then threw in a counter offer. “The day of the Woodward, we’re challenging them on the basketball court at Saratoga,” the Massapequa resident said. “It’ll be three-on-three: me, Rick and Kent Desormeaux against Jackson, Steve Asmussen and Robby Albarado.” (Read the rest of this story here.)

It would be a shame if neither horse ran in the Breeders’ Cup, but watching the two champions compete in the same race would make for some must-see TV.

Thinking about betting on the Breeders’ Cup? Get all your Breeders’ Cup odds here.